Wildcats take one of three

Published on November 22, 2010 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release


It was back to a three-game week for the Wildcats, this time against the teams that sandwich them in the standings-one game against Texas, two against Amarillo. The Wildcats pulled out a 5-2 win on Friday in Amarillo, but lost Wednesday to Texas 5-4 and Saturday to Amarillo 4-3.

For whatever reason, a two-goal lead has been the death knell for the Wildcats over the past few weeks. Five of the team's seven losses in regulation have all come after holding a lead of two goals, including a 5-4 loss to the Texas Tornado on Wednesday.

Texas got on the board first, with a Pavel Hurtik power play goal six minutes in, followed by Tyler Rostenkowski scoring off a turnover. Sean Keane would cut the lead to 2-1 off assists from linemates Ryan Frost and Mac Olson.

Three second-period goals put the Wildcats briefly in the drivers' seat. Keil Zornow tied the game on a scramble in front of the net assisted by Frost and Brian White, followed by Drew Allen giving the Wildcats a 3-2 lead off assists from Zornow and Olson. The Wildcats' third line got into the scoring as well, with Jason McAloon tapping a puck in, aided by Patrick Yudez and Mattia Bortolotto for a 4-2 lead. Less than a minute later, Texas' David Rigatti scored on a perfect 2-on-1 feed from Rock Einersen to cut the Wildcats' lead to 4-3 at the end of the second.

The early part of the third period was where everything turned for the Tornado. Nathan Sliwinski scored 54 seconds in to tie things at four, then Joseph Mottiqua scored what would prove to be the game winner just over a minute later. The Wildcats killed off two penalties that followed, but it left them with only 12 and a half minutes to try to tie the game up. Despite two late power play opportunities, the Tornado defense held up for the 5-4 victory.

The Wildcats scored five goals in between a pair of Cody Freeman bookends to beat the Amarillo Bulls 5-2 on Friday. Jason McAloon, filling in on the top line at center, tallied two of them.

Freeman got the Bulls on the board eight minutes in, but Dakota Klecha tied things at the 13:43 mark off assists from Tanner Fahlstedt and Steven Hoshaw to knot things at a goal apiece. Klecha celebrated the goal too much in the eyes of referee Brett DesRosiers and was assessed a game misconduct for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The Wildcats' wouldn't let the lack of Klecha set them back though, as Jason McAloon scored in the second period to give the 'Cats a lead they would not give up. Patrick Yudez added his second goal of the season filling in on Klecha's second line spot, with Fahlstedt and Drew Allen picking up assists with 33 seconds to go in the period.

McAloon would make it a 4-1 lead, this time 33 seconds into the third period, followed by Drew Allen getting a goal at the 8:25 mark off Fahlstedt's third assist, ending the night of Amarillo's debut goaltender Chris Eiserman. Freeman would add in his second goal late to make it a 5-2 game.

A total of 100 PIM were assessed throughout the game including a total of four game misconducts. At the back end, Tyler Green stopped 26 of 28 shots in the victory, his eighth of the season.

Saturday saw the Wildcats go down a goal early, then come back to take a lead, but this time they couldn't hold on, falling 4-3 to Amarillo. After a Joe Kozlak first period goal, the Wildcats responded with two in the second. Alex Betts scored for the first time as a Wildcat seven minutes into the second, while Chris Leone gave them a lead later in the period.

But that 2-1 lead was all the Wildcats would manage. Amarillo struck for back to back power play goals midway through the third, then added an even strength goal with 7:04 to go. Mikhail Sentyurin would chip in a power play goal, but the Wildcats weren't able to get the tying goal even with an extra attacker out in the final minute.

WEEKEND NOTES: The Wildcats' top line was down to one member in Sean Keane on Saturday, lacking leading scorers Mac Olson and Ryan Frost. Olson missed the entire weekend in Amarillo due to a family emergency, while Frost was out Saturday after suffering a hand injury in Friday's game. Jason McAloon filled in for Olson, while Mikhail Sentyurin joined the top line in Frost's place.. Despite four game misconducts being handed out on Friday, none of the offenders were suspended for Saturday's game. Best of luck to defenseman Cody King, who has left the team to pursue an opportunity with Penske Racing.

Teddy Bear Toss is Friday!

Brain a new or used stuffed animal with you on Friday and get a voucher for free admission to a post-game skate! When the Wildcats score their first goal, toss the stuffed animal on the ice. All will be donated to a local charity.

It's also our first Never Waste a Ticket Night. Season Ticket Holders, have you missed any games this season? You can trade your unused tickets in for extra tickets to Friday's game! Bring your friends and introduce them to Wildcats' Hockey!

Preview: 11/26 vs. Corpus Christi, and 11/27-28 at New Mexico

The Wildcats play their second three-game week in a row, this time playing once at home Friday against Corpus Christi, then hitting the road for two in New Mexico.

Friday's game will be the eighth of twelve games between the 'Cats and IceRays this season. So far, the Wildcats are 4-2-1 against them this season. Beau Walker and Mike Benedict will be the players to watch for the IceRays. Walker leads the team in scoring (25 points from 8 goals and a team-leading 17 assists) and Benedict is second (19 points from a team-leading 11 goals and 8 assists). They also feature three of the top 15 players in the NAHL in penalty minutes.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats are 2-1-1 against New Mexico, with all four games coming out in Rio Rancho. Saturday's game will have a rare 1 pm start time (2 pm Central). The Mustangs are led by Jimmy Peplinski and Adam Chapie, the only two players on the team to put up at least 10 points so far this season. They also have two former Wildcats in their ranks, goaltender Bryan Jones and defenseman Jake Webber.

Upcoming Wildcats' Events

The Wildcats' Coaches Radio Show continues this week at Oyster Bar and Grill on Kell Boulevard! Come down and hear Drew and the coaches talk about this past week's games against Corpus Christi, and see what's in store as the Wildcats play against the Amarillo Bulls. Plus you'll get to hear from one of your favorite players in the "Talk to the Team" segment. It all happens Tuesday at 7:30; if you can't be there tune in on 94.9 KOLI, The Outlaw.

Broomball, adult hockey, and open skating: Check WFWildcatsHockey.com for the schedule under the Games and Ice Events tab! Any questions about our ice programs? Contact Brandon Miller in the Wildcats office, 940-716-5587.

Come play in the broomball league! We're looking for teams for the Wildcats' adult broomball league. Price is $50 per player for a 10-game season. Get a team together with your co-workers and friends, or sign up solo and be placed on a team. Call the office for details, 940-716-5587.

Alumni Report

Dan Sexton has five points in the four games in which he has played for the Syracuse Crunch in the AHL. He picked up a goal and an assist on Friday, a 4-3 loss to Albany. Sexton is one of three NAHL South Division alumni playing in the Ducks' organization. Defenseman Jake Newton (Texas Tornado 2006-07) is with Sexton in Syracuse, and they will be joined this week by Pat Maroon (Texarkana/St. Louis Bandits 2005-07), who was acquired in a trade from Philadelphia.

Though the Tulsa Oilers are struggling a bit this season, Chad Costello has been doing his best to help carry the team. Presently, he leads the team in all offensive stats, 8 goals, 8 assists, for 16 points in 15 games.

Luke Salazar picked up a goal and an assist as Denver swept Bemidji State 3-1 and 4-2. He is third on the Pioneers in points and tied for second in goals.

Eddie Effinger scored two goals and assisted on a third as Amherst beat Wesleyan 4-0 on Friday. Effinger is captain of the Amherst squad.

Shaun Jameson had a goal and five assists, while brother Skylur Jameson had a hat trick on Sunday as Wentworth split their week, losing Wednesday to Johnson & Wales 4-3 and winning 7-2 on Sunday over Western New England College. Mike Jarboe stopped 12 of 14 in a no-decision on Wednesday.

Joel Sauer had a goal and three assists as Augsburg swept Concordia, WI 5-2 and 6-0.

Kelly Andrew picked up a win in goal on Saturday as Concordia, MN beat St. Olaf 3-2 in overtime. He stopped 25 of 27 shots.

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North American Hockey League Stories from November 22, 2010


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