Wildcats Win Again, Pick up Four Points in Weekend Series

February 11, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release


The Wildcats hit the ice again this past weekend to take on the Kenai River Brown Bears. The Cats have played at home the last five weekends and are currently 8-1-1 on their homestand. The Wildcats defeated the Brown Bears in both games this weekend, picking up four points in the standings and improving their overall record to 30-12-2. The Cats continue to sit in first place in the NAHL South Division with sixty-two points. Both Fairbanks and Topeka have been hot on our trail lately and after the two teams met this past weekend as well, we now hold a six point lead over Topeka and a nine point lead over Fairbanks. Adam Cardwell continues to lead the league in scoring with seventy-two points.

The Wildcats opened the weekend series with a 7-3 victory on Friday. The new players really stepped up for the Wildcats, netting five of the seven goals. Skylur Jameson got the scoring started for the Cats when he netted a shorthanded goal at the 7:48 mark of the first period off the assists from Hartung and Kaneshiro. Kenai River answered back with a powerplay goal to tie the game with just a little over three minutes left to play in the first stanza. The Wildcats would then go on a powerplay of their own and with only four seconds remaining, Detlefsen blasted the puck past the Brown Bears goalie to give the Cats a 2-1 lead going into the first intermission. Cardwell and McKenzie assisted Detlefsen on the powerplay goal. Kenai River came out strong in the second, scoring an even-strength goal at the 3:45 mark to once again tie the game. The remainder of the period was all Wildcats as they were able to capitalize on two more goals and take a 4-2 lead after forty minutes of play. The third frame the Cats came out shooting and put the puck between the pipes twice in less than three minutes giving them a 6-2 lead that Kenai River would be unable to overcome. The Bears would connect with one more at the 12:40 mark but it was too little too late. Sponseller took advantage of his position at the 17:59 mark off the assist from Delaurell and McKenzie, netting one more for the Cats and sealing the victory for the Wildcats. Delaurell and Henderson each scored two goals and goaltender, Mike Jarboe turned aside twenty-four shots.

Saturday night marked the annual Children's Miracle Network "Jersey Off Our Back" Auction, and with the support of our fans, the Wildcats were able to raise over $80,000 to be donated to CMN. To make the night even better, the Wildcats defeated the Brown Bears yet again, skating away with a 4-2 victory. Four different players scored in the match, with Kenline notching a goal and an assist. The first period remained scoreless by both teams with only nine shots being taken on goal. McNeil netted the first goal for the Cats at the 3:09 mark of the second frame to give them a 1-0 lead, but unfortunately Kenai River answered back less than three minutes later to tie the game. Kenline took advantage of his position at the 15:29 mark of the second frame when he got the puck from Nowick and put it between the pipes to give the Cats the lead going into the second intermission. Cardwell scored an unassisted goal at the 12:59 mark of the final stanza and the Cats led 3-1 with just under five minutes to play. The game was played until the final buzzer by both teams with two goals being scored in the final two minutes. Kenai River slid one past Jarboe at the 18:05 mark to put themselves back within one. In a final attempt to tie the game, the Bears pulled their goalie but the Cats got control of the puck and Sponseller scored the empty netter to give the Wildcats a 4-2 win.

The Wildcats next home games are Friday, February 15 and Saturday, February 16 against the Texas Tornado. Puck drops at 7:05pm! Friday is Clappers Night. There is a limited supply available so be sure to get here early to get your noisemaker and cheer the Wildcats on to another victory. Doors will open at 6pm. Saturday is Teacher Appreciation Night. Please call the Wildcats office for more information at 940-716-5587.



North American Hockey League Stories from February 11, 2008


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