Wildcats Weekly
Published on January 25, 2010 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
Interim head coach Mike Flanagan's debut behind the Wildcats bench was a success as the Wildcats picked up four points with a 4-2 victory Saturday and a 6-5 victory Sunday against the Texas Tornado.
Three goals in ten minutes of the third powered the Wildcats on Saturday night on their way to a 4-2 victory. Texas scored on a scramble in front of the net in the opening period-- the first goal of Brendan Bandyk's career-- for the lone marker of the period. The Wildcats tied the game in the second as J.T. Osborn scored off assists from Brian Sheehan and Daniel Gentzler, but the Tornado would take the lead again a minute later as Shay Cizmar scored on a breakaway for a 2-1 lead.
The Wildcats owned the third period though, with three unanswered goals. Ryan Frost's one-timer tied the game up at 2 just a minute into the period, and then a minute later, newcomer Jason McAloon gave the Wildcats a lead. Zach Dorer, the league's youngest player, picked up the assist in his NAHL debut. Adam Kuhn would add an insurance goal midway through the final period.
Of course no Wildcats-Tornado game would be complete without the near-requisite fights. In the third period, a three-on-three broke out in front of the Wildcats net, resulting in three matching sets of fighting majors and two game misconducts. In ten games against each other this season, there have been a total of 30 fighting majors handed out to the Wildcats and the Tornado.
Sunday afternoon was nearly a reversal of the previous night. This time the Wildcats took an early lead and held on late to get the victory 6-5.
After scoring a goal in his first game as a Wildcat, Jason McAloon put up the first two on Sunday, scoring at the 4:43 and 11:22 marks of the first period to give the Wildcats a 2-0 lead. With less than two minutes left in the period, Brandon Stroud and Brian Sheehan executed a perfect 2-on-1 with Stroud scoring for a 3-0 lead. The Tornado would get their first of the night 18 seconds later, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
The Tornado deficit would be cut to one goal in the second on two occasions. At the 3:21 mark, Rock Einersen sniped a corner to make it a 3-2 game, but the Wildcats would respond with a Tyler Lundey shot through traffic for a 4-2 score. But once again, the Tornado would fight back with James Poston making it a 4-3 game.
The third period was another back and forth affair, as Texas tied the game at 4 with a power play goal from defenseman David Rigatti at the 6:53 mark. Thirty seconds later, it was J.T. Osborn giving the Wildcats the 5-4 lead. Osborn would score his second of the night seven minutes later. The Tornado would keep it interesting in the final five minutes though, as they put up their second power play goal of the afternoon with exactly five minutes remaining, but the Wildcats would weather the storm late and keep the 6-5 score intact.
With two victories, the Wildcats sit only 6 points back of the Tornado and the Springfield Jr. Blues for third place in the South division. They will try to cut the deficit down further with games against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs this Friday and Saturday at the Kay Yeager Coliseum.
Military Appreciation Night
The Wildcats will hold their 6th annual Military Appreciation Night on Saturday, January 30 against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Anyone with a valid military ID can get a free ticket to the game! For more information, call the Wildcats at 940-716-5587. To get your tickets, contact the box office at 940-716-5555.
Ledford, Sheehan play in Top Prospects Tournament
Defenseman Zach Ledford and forward Brian Sheehan appeared at the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament for the South Division. Each tallied an assist in Wednesday's 4-1 victory over the West Division team. The South Division placed third out of the four divisional teams with a 1-2-0 record.
McAloon named Sherwood/NAHL South Player of the Week!
With a goal on Saturday, and two goals and an assist on Sunday, Jason McAloon was named the Sherwood/NAHL South Division Player of the Week!
From NAHL.com.
Wichita Falls forward Jason McAloon potted three goals and an assist as the Wildcats celebrated a two-game sweep over Texas. On Saturday, the Elk Groves, Ill., native notched a goal in a 4-2 victory. The next day, the 19-year-old who played his first two games with the Wildcats since being acquired from the Owatonna Express connected for two more goals and an assist as Wichita Falls outlasted the Tornado, 6-5.
"Jason has been a great addition to our squad," said Wildcats interim head coach Mike Flanagan. "He was in the right place at the right time and he provided a much-needed spark to our offense."
HONORABLE MENTION: Wichita Falls forward JT Osborn
Wildcats in the Community
The Wildcats will have a busy week ahead making visits out in the community. As part of the Future of America program, the Wildcats will visit Jefferson Elementary on Tuesday, Burkburnett's I.C. Evans Elementary on Wednesday, and Kate Burgess Elementary on Thursday.
With Military Appreciation Night coming this Saturday, the team will also be heading out to Sheppard Air Force Base on Tuesday, stopping by the dining hall from 5 to 7 pm, and then going to the commissary on Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. The whole team will be on base to sign autographs and meet fans, inviting the airmen, and all members of the military, to Saturday's game.
Wildcats Alumni Update
Brett Hartung scored two third-period goals, including the game-winner, against Mercyhurst in Bentley's 4-2 victory on Friday.
Ryan Hitchcock tallied two assists as the Marian Sabres took down Concordia (WI) by a 7-4 score on Friday.
Eddie Effinger was all the Amherst Lord Jeffs needed to beat Skidmore on Friday. Down 1-0, Effinger scored 2 goals in the third to lead Amherst to a 2-1 victory.
Chad Costello picked up four assists for the CHL's Corpus Christi IceRays this past week, including a three-assist game on Tuesday.
It's good to be wanted: Nick Klaren is discovering this after playing for his third different team this season in a third different league. The defenseman started the season with Laredo in the CHL, moved on to Mississippi in the SPHL, and now continues his eastward movement, plying his trade for the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays. In three games, Klaren has put up one assist. He is the second former Wildcat to appear in an ECHL game this season.
Sexton Watch
Though his earlier torrid scoring pace has slowed, Dan Sexton did pick up an assist on Saturday against the St. Louis Blues. He ranks 13th among NHL rookies in scoring, with a total of 8 goals, 9 assists, and 13 points for the Anaheim Ducks. Sexton and the Ducks hit the road to take on Atlanta, Washington, and Tampa Bay this Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, respectively.
North American Hockey League Stories from January 25, 2010
- Top Prospects Brings Exposure, Opportunity - NAHL
- Series Preview Notes Vs. Alaska - Wenatchee Wild
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
- Wildcats Weekly - Wichita Falls Wildcats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
