Wildcats swept by Junior Blues
March 30, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wildcats overcame an early 2-0 Springfield lead on Friday, but couldn't get the offense going in the third period, as the Junior Blues came back to win 6-3.
Springfield got on the board twice in the first period, with Zack Kamrass scoring off Mike Schaber's faceoff win at the 1:07 mark. Kyle Verbeek followed it up fifteen minutes later, knocking home a loose puck at the 16:43 mark, assisted by Schaber and Rob Dongara.
The Wildcats would get their power play going in the second as Aaron Quick knocked one past goaltender C.J. Groh, cutting the deficit to 2-1. "Our power play moved the puck well," said head coach John Bowkus. "They had the one goal and put a lot of pucks on net, hit the posts on a few."
At the 11:27 mark, Matt Shost and Kyle Gallegos came in on a 2-on-1. While Shost's shot was stopped, Chad Hudson came swooping in to pick up the rebound and send it in the back of the net, tying things up at 2. Springfield would regain the lead a minute and a half later, with Kyle Verbeek taking advantage of a turnover, sending the puck to Rob Dongara who tapped it past Phil Graveline for a 3-2 lead. The Wildcats would get it back with 20.9 seconds left in the period, as Brett Hartung scored his first goal since February 21 off assists from Hudson and Gallegos, tying things up at 3.
The Wildcats weren't able to carry any momentum from that goal into the third though, as Springfield scored three times: Trent Frey, Nick Curry, and Jon Gaffney each had a goal to take the 6-3 victory.
"It's tough when out of seven defensemen, you're only able to play three or four regularly," said Bowkus. "[Springfield] scored a few soft goals."
The Wildcats and Junior Blues play again on Saturday night at 7:05 pm. It's Fan Appreciation Night with the Wildcats' Prize Patrol!
Saturday saw more of the same as a hat trick from Jon Gaffney powered Springfield to a 5-2 victory in the final regular season game for the Wildcats and Junior Blues. In the 12 games between the two teams, Springfield won 5. The home team only won once, while losing 8 in regulation and 3 in overtime.
Gaffney got the Junior Blues on the board in the first with a power play goal, but the Wildcats came back to tie it up in the second with Anthony Iaquinto's eighth goal of the season, and sixth as a Wildcat. Sean McKenzie and Adam Kuhn assisted on the goal.
The third period was an offensive explosion, but mostly for the Junior Blues. Nick Curry gave them a 2-1 lead on a power play goal that bounced in off a Wildcats defenseman.Â
Two and a half minutes later, Sean McKenzie tied it back up off assists from Iaquinto and Jeff McNeil. After that, it was all Springfield, as Jack Callahan scored what would be the game-winner, with Gaffney adding two insurance markers for the hat trick.
"Mistakes, mistakes, mistakes," said Bowkus. "We made them, [Springfield] took advantage."
Ricky Brown, normally a forward, spent the game playing defense, partnered up with Sean Coffey. "He played really well back there," said Bowkus. "He's played some defense in the past... It's a bad state of affairs though when you have to play five regular defensemen and a forward back there because guys aren't getting the job done."
Elsewhere around the league, St. Louis defeated Topeka 4-0 for the South Division crown on Friday night. The Wildcats will face the Roadrunners in the first round of the Robertson Cup Playoffs, while St. Louis will face Springfield.
Upcoming Home Games and Events
The Wildcats go on the road to open the playoffs with two games in Topeka, KS against the Topeka Roadrunners on Friday, April 3 and Sunday, April 5. Game Three of the series will be at the Kay Yeager Coliseum on Friday, April 10 at 7:05 pm. If a fourth game is necessary, it will by at the KYC on Saturday, April 11 at 7:05 pm. If a deciding fifth game is needed, it will be in Topeka on Sunday, April 12. Times of the games in Topeka are yet to be announced.
The Wildcats Golf Tournament will be held at noon on Tuesday, April 7 at River Creek. You can reserve your spot through the Wildcats' office for $40, which includes lunch, greens fees, and cart fees. Every foursome will feature a Wildcats player or coach. Anyone interested in sponsoring a hole can also do so through the Wildcats' office, 940-716-5587.
Wildcats Alumni News
The Frozen Four have been decided, and only one former Wildcat remains playing, as Bemidji State (Shea Walters) will face Miami of Ohio in the Division I NCAA Finals. The winner will go up against the winner of Boston University vs. Vermont for the NCAA Championship.
North American Hockey League Stories from March 30, 2009
- Outlaws Prepare for 2009 Postseason - North Iowa Outlaws
- Phantoms Playoff Schedule Set for First Round - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Playoff Preview Bobcats vs. Blizzard - Bismarck Bobcats
- Wildcats swept by Junior Blues - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- North Stars, Father Fred team up - Traverse City North Stars
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