Wildcats Sweep Jackalopes, Clinch First-Ever South Division Finals Appearance
April 22, 2016 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wichita Falls Wildcats clinched their first-ever appearance in the South Division Finals with a 6-3 victory Friday night, sweeping the Jackalopes and ending their season.
The Cats wasted no time setting the tone in the game and showed the Jackalopes what they and their fans were in for. Just four minutes in, Austin Beaulieu scored his first goal of the 2016 playoffs from the right circle after he was assisted by defenseman-turned-forward Rourke Russell. Hungry to keep their season alive, the Jacks tested Justin Kapelmaster with several challenging shots, but the Cats' goaltender was on his game.
The 20's Line came through yet again, scoring their third goal in as many playoff games after Jonny Lazarus found Albrecht breaking through center. Albrecht used his speed to draw the attention of the Odessa defenders, and then found Nick Rosa with the pass. Rosa's backhand shot was kicked away by Jon Flakne, but the rebound bounced right to Albrecht, who buried the shot to double the Cats' lead. Adam Goodsir would score his first playoff goal as a Wildcat as well, making the score 3-0 heading into the first intermission.
Beaulieu scored another early goal after being dished a feathery pass by Aleksi Poikola from the corner. He became the first active Wildcat to reach ten career playoff points with the tally. After repeatedly challenging Kapelmaster, Odessa's top line finally came through. Hampus Sjodahl punched a rebound through the Ferris State commit's five-hole to spark some life inside the Ector County Coliseum.
The Jackalopes and their fans' excitement, however, was short-lived. Just moments later, the 20's Line flaunted an incredible display of crisp passing. Rosa found Lazarus in the slot, who made the extra pass to Albrecht, who tapped the puck into the net for his second goal of the tilt. He joined Beaulieu as the second active Wildcats to ten postseason points.
The third period scared some of the Wildcats and their fans, as a 5-on-3 Odessa power play put them on their heels. Gray Marr tipped a point shot past Kapelmaster on the two-man advantage to make it 5-2, and recent Air Force commit Jake Levin ripped a point shot to cut the Wildcats' lead to two and ignite the ECC crowd. However, the Jackalopes' valiant effort for a comeback fell short, as the Cats' speed and depth proved to be too much. With Flakne pulled and a sixth attacker on the ice, the Jacks peppered Kapelmaster with shots. He stood tall, and Albrecht scooped up a loose puck and skated down the ice with a yawning 4 x 6 net to shoot at. He sealed Odessa's fate and became the first Wildcat all season to score a hat trick in the process.
Kapelmaster won his third straight playoff game, stopping 30 of 33 shots, while Flakne was handed his first postseason defeat, denying 33 of 38. The Wildcats await the winner of the Lone Star Brahmas/Topeka RoadRunners series. In either case, they will host Game 1 of the South Division Finals at the KYC on Friday, April 29th, followed by Game 2 on Saturday, April 30th.
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North American Hockey League Stories from April 22, 2016
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- Brahmas Fall in Game Three - Lone Star Brahmas
- Hudson Nets Series-Clinching Goal in Overtime - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Wildcats Sweep Jackalopes, Clinch First-Ever South Division Finals Appearance - Wichita Falls Wildcats
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