Wildcats Take Home Two Points
Published on February 28, 2006 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wildcats played with heart and toughness this weekend as they pushed the 1st place Texarkana Bandits to shootouts on both Friday and Saturday night. Though they lost, the team picked up two points and still secure 4th place in the NAHL South Division. They trail the third place Springfield Junior Blues by only four points.
On Friday night the Cats played strong, but fell 5-4 in a shootout. The first stanza was action packed, with the Bandits taking 13 shots on goal to the Wildcats 15. The Cats got on the board first when Chris Nealon, assisted by Skylur Jameson and Chris Ochoa, snuck one by Bandits goalie Riley Gill at the 17:23 mark. Unfortunately the defense let up as time was winding down and the Bandits tied it up at the end of the period, 1-1. The team came out firing in the second, taking another 15 shots on goal, but were unable to get anything by Riley Gill. Jason Weeks of Texarkana scored midway through the period and the frame ended with the Bandits ahead 2-1. The third period was intense and truly showed the heart in the Wildcats. After a quick goal by the Bandits to put them ahead 3-1, the game seemed to be slipping away. Showing their grit and determination, the Cats roared back and scored three unanswered goals by Dan Sexton, Chris Ochoa, and Captain Kyle Kraemer to put them up 4-3. Unfortunately, the Wildcats could not stop the Bandits, and with a minute left Texarkana tied it up to send the game into an extra frame. The overtime period was fruitless for both teams, which led to the always entertaining shootout. The Bandits struck first, but the Cats came back with a goal by Chris Ochoa. After a Kyle Kraemer was stopped on his attempt, Anthony Becker won it for Texarkana as he beat goaltender Tom Billick.
Associate Head Coach Mike Perkins, when asked about his team's play, was pleased with the determination of his team, "The team showed a lot of resiliency tonight, being down 3-1 in the 3rd period. Though we didn't come away with the victory, I liked the character we showed out there".
Saturday's game was another thriller for those in attendance, as the teams went to a shootout for the second consecutive night, with the Bandits coming away with a 5-4 win. The Cats allowed two goals in the first, but got one of their own by Chris Ochoa, assisted by Doug Robinson, to keep the game close at 2-1. The Wildcats were the aggressor in the second frame, as Skylur Jameson, assisted by Paul Velo and Kyle Pidde, scored a powerplay goal to tie the game. Texarkana again struck back, but with two minutes to go in the period Adam Cardwell evened the game with his 14th goal of the season. His goal was assisted by Kyle Kraemer and Dan Sexton. The Wildcats pounced early in the third when Dan Medenwaldt, assisted by Kyle Kraemer, scored a shorthanded goal at 5:21 of the period. However, only a minute later, the Bandits scored on a powerplay of their own and once again the game headed into overtime, 4-4. This time around the shootout went eight deep, with the Wildcats getting goals from Chris Nicolaou and Dan Sexton. The Bandits however, were just too tough on the night and came away the victor.
Though the team lost both games, they picked up two points and Associate Head Coach Mike Perkins was content with his teams overall performance, "Getting two points on the road against the first place team in our division, and one of the top teams in the NAHL is always positive. This time of year it is always tough to get points on the road."
The Wildcats next play the tough Bozeman Ice Dogs this Thursday and Friday, March 2nd and 3rd, at the Kay Yeager Coliseum. The puck drops at 7:05pm!
North American Hockey League Stories from February 28, 2006
- Bozeman Icedogs weekly - Bozeman Icedogs
- Wildcats Take Home Two Points - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Tornado update - Texas Tornado
- U.S. National Under-18 Team Travels South For NAHL Action - U.S. National Team
- North Dakota Mr. Hockey Joining FM Jets - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
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