Wildcats win 2 of 3 in final home weekend
Published on March 21, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
The Wildcats finished their home schedule on a strong note, taking victories in two of their final three games. On Wednesday they won 5-4 in a shootout over Amarillo, then split a two-game series against New Mexico on Friday and Saturday,
On Wednesday, the 'Cats withstood a late comeback effort by Amarillo after taking a 4-1 lead in the second period, taking a 5-4 decision. The scoring came fast and furious for the first two periods. Mikhail Sentyurin scored his team-leading tenth power play goal of the season for a 1-0 lead only four minutes in. Jason McAloon would keep the special teams party alive, with a shorthanded blast midway through the opening frame. Amarillo countered with a goal of their own, just under four minutes later for a 2-1 game at the end of the first.
The offense-fest continued in the second, as Daniel Hildebrandt struck on the power play, then Jason McAloon scored his second of the night on a redirect at the top of the crease for a 4-1 lead, ending the night of Amarillo netminder Nikifor Szczerba. The Bulls struck back late in the period though. Dan Sherer found the back of the net, followed by T.J. Sarcona's second of the night, cutting their deficit to 4-3. Eric Garavaglia's night ended prematurely as well, getting pulled at the end of the second period.
The third period saw better goaltending at both ends of the ice as Gregg Gruehl stopped all 16 shots he faced in the game, while Tyler Green was 13 of 14 in relief for the 'Cats, the only goal being Sherer's second of the contest. With neither scoring in overtime, the game proceeded to a shootout, with Amarillo coach Dennis Williams pulling a surprising move, putting Szczerba back in net. The Wildcats capitalized on the move, as Drew Allen and Mikhail Sentyurin both tallied goals in the shootout, while Tyler Green stopped all four shooters for the Bulls, giving the Wildcats the victory.
Friday saw a playing-for-pride New Mexico team come in and take away a win from the 'Cats by a 5-3 score. Wichita Falls outshot the Mustangs in each period, but Austrian goalie Marco Wieser was 34 of 37 in net in their win. Tanner Fahlstedt scored a first period power play goal to make things look good early for the 'Cats, but the Mustangs struck back twice in the second, including a redirection for the lead with 19 seconds to play, courtesy of Sander Valde.
Nick Marsh, returning after taking a stick to the face in the opening frame, tied the game early in the third, but the Mustangs struck again with two goals in under 30 seconds while skating 4-on-4. Marsh's second of the period got the Wildcats to within a goal, but Wildcat killer Charles Baldwin scored with 1:52 left to put the game out of reach.
On Saturday, it was defense carrying the two teams as the Wildcats pulled out a late 2-1 victory over New Mexico. Tyler Green stopped 32 of 33 shots, with New Mexico's lone goal coming in the second period. At the other end, Luke Hernandez came up with 35 saves on 37 shots, including several tough ones to hold the scoring to a minimum.
Chris Leone scored his tenth of the season in the opening period to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. The Wildcats held a 16-6 shot on goal advantage in the opener. New Mexico came back with a strong second period though, as Christian Johnson scored to even the game at a goal apiece. The Mustangs controlled the shots in this period, holding a 13-11 advantage.
The third period was similar to the second-the Mustangs led in the shots on goal department, and the Wildcats kept on getting shut down by Hernandez, but with 1:18 left, it was Dakota Klecha striking in the clutch again, netting the game-winner just minutes after returning from being felled by a dirty hit by a New Mexico defenseman.
WEEKEND NOTES: Leone's 10 goals this season are the most ever in a season by a Wildcats' defenseman. His 16 career goals are also a team record among defensemen. The Wildcats finish the regular season with a 14-13-0 record at the KYC. The Wildcats finish the season having gone 4-6-0 against Amarillo and 6-5-1 against New Mexico.
Preview: Fresno Monsters, March 25-26
The Wildcats will finish out the regular season out on the west coast, facing the Fresno Monsters for two games. The Wildcats faced the Monsters back in January, splitting a two-game set at the Kay Yeager Coliseum.
Mikhail Sentyurin leads the Wildcats with 3 goals in those two games, while Ryan Frost had 3 assists. At the other end, T.J. Powers (3-1-4) and Matthew Coleman (2-1-3) were the top point producers for Fresno.
Overall on the season, the Monsters are led by Willie Hess (20-11-31) and Jordan Lovick (11-20-31) in the scoring department. Luis Puig and Tom Conlan have split time in goal.
Upcoming Wildcats' Events
The Wildcats' Coaches Radio Show will be held on Tuesday at 7:30 at the Oyster Bar and Grill on Kell Blvd. Come on down and meet the players and listen as Drew and coaches Mark LeRose and Thomas Billick discuss the previous week's games and look ahead to next week. If you can't be there, tune in on 94.9 FM, 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.
Alumni Report
Dan Sexton had an assist in Saturday's 2-1 Anaheim victory over Los Angeles. The Ducks are tied with the Dallas Stars for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Both teams have 10 games remaining.
Andrew Conboy extended his goal streak to three games before it was snapped, tallying a goal on Wednesday in the Hamilton Bulldogs' 2-0 win over Rochester.
Chad Costello returned to the CHL's Tulsa Oilers, picking up right where he left off before going to the AHL. In his first game back on Wednesday, he scored twice in a 4-3 overtime loss, then had a goal and two assists as the Oilers beat the Allen Americans on Friday. Despite leaving the league for a month to go up to the Lake Erie Monsters, he still leads the team in scoring, and is 9th in the league in points.
Kyle Kraemer reached the 30-point plateau in this his first full professional season in the ECHL. He reached it with an assist in the Ontario Reign's 5-2 loss to Bakersfield on Friday.
Nick Klaren had a goal and two assists in the Mississippi Surge's 3-1 win over Pensacola on Friday. The Surge have clinched a spot in the SPHL playoffs and sit in first place in the league.
Shea Walters scored the game-winning goal Thursday to put Bemidji State into the WCHA semifinals with a 3-2 overtime win against Minnesota-Duluth. Bemidji's season would end the next night though, as they lost to Denver 6-2.
Speaking of Denver's win, Luke Salazar tallied a goal off a Chris Nutini assist in the third period in that game. Denver would lose the WCHA Final to North Dakota, but garnered an at-large bid to the Frozen Four Tournament.
Kyle Delaurell picked up a pair of assists for Air Force in Friday's win over Holy Cross. Air Force went on to win the Atlantic Hockey Association Championship.
Zack Rourke and the Michigan State Spartans finished as the runners-up in the ACHA Division 2 National Championships, losing 6-1 in the Final to Grand Valley State. Rourke had a goal and an assist in their 9-3 semi-final victory over University of Michigan.
The field has been set for the Frozen Four! Four former Wildcats are among those with a shot at the National Championship: Kyle Delaurell and Aaron Quick of Air Force, and Luke Salazar and Chris Nutini of Denver. Denver plays in the Midwest Regional Semifinals against Western Michigan, while Air Force takes on top-seeded Yale in the East Regional Semifinals. The field of 16 will be whittled down to the Frozen Four to be played April 7-9 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
North American Hockey League Stories from March 21, 2011
- NAHL Announces Players of the Week - NAHL
- Free Gift Cards, Face Painting and More - St. Louis Bandits
- Wildcats win 2 of 3 in final home weekend - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Janesville Jets Secure Playoff Berth - Janesville Jets
- Jr. Blues Take Home Finale - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
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