Wildcats sweep weekend series
Published on November 22, 2005 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wichita Falls Wildcats completed a successful weekend, beating the Santa Fe Roadrunners on Friday and Saturday night. The team earned four points and secured third place in the NAHL South division. The Cats are only three points behind division leaders Texas Tornado, and the Texarkana Bandits.
Friday night the Wildcats hosted the Santa Fe Roadrunners for the third time of the season, and came away with a gutsy 3-2 overtime win. After a sluggish start, and being down 2 goals, the Wildcats finally struck back at the 19:28 mark of the second period when Dan Medenwalt scored a power play goal. The goal was assisted by Captain Kyle Kraemer. The play intensified in the third period, but the Wildcats were able to tie it up with Adam Cardwell scoring midway through the period, and sending the game to overtime. His goal was assisted by Chris Ochoa. The teams barely had time to settle in when Skylur Jameson netted a beautiful game winning breakaway goal just 16 seconds into the overtime frame. Tom Billick was in net for the Wildcats and earned the win with 21 saves.
Associate Head Coach Mike Perkins put it best when he said, "We hadn't been playing our best hockey up till Friday, and to win in overtime on such a great play, was exciting for the team, as well as the fans".
"Santa Fe has had our number a few times this year, and they're the type of team that if you don't work hard, will beat you. In the 3rd period our guys came out ready to work hard, and because of that work ethic, it gave us a chance to win", said Perkins.
Saturday's game was another treat for the fans in attendance. This was a low scoring affair with the first goal being scored by Andrew Conboy in the final minute of the second period. The goal was assisted by Sean Nealon and Chris Nicolaou The two teams battled back and forth, and the Roadrunners were finally able to slip one by goalie Tom Billick with less than three minutes remaining in the game. If the Wildcats were dejected they showed no signs of it, as they came roaring back only one minute and eleven seconds later with Chris Ochoa netting his 15th goal of the season to win it. Kyle Kraemer and Dan Mendenwaldt assisted on the game winning goal. Tom Billick was again sensational in net, stopping 28 shots and earning the win.
When asked about the game, Associate coach Mike Perkins said, "It was a hard fought battle between two teams that had seen one another seven times prior to tonight. They knew what we were going to do, and we knew what they were going to do. It all comes down to who wants it more. For our team to score a goal late in the game after giving one up a few minutes before, once again showed the character the guys on our team have".
The Wildcats have won three of their last four games, and look to continue their winning ways as they travel to play the defending champion, Texas Tornado, on Wednesday, November 23rd. The puck drops at 7:30 pm.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 22, 2005
- U.S. National Under-18 Team Returns to NAHL Action - U.S. National Team
- Tornado update - Texas Tornado
- Blizzard drop a pair at home - Alexandria Blizzard
- First place showdown this weekend for FM Jets - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Wildcats sweep weekend series - Wichita Falls Wildcats
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