Wildcatters' Comeback Too Much For Glads In 3-2 Win
December 1, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release
Beaumont, TX- The Texas Wildcatters extended their South Division lead to six points Friday, downing the second place Gwinnett Gladiators 3-2 in a thrilling come-from-behind victory at Ford Arena.
Texas (13-2-0-3) fell behind early in the first period, allowing a power play goal to Derek Nesbit at 2:20 and another goal on a five-on-three power play to Jamie Milam at 16:46. The 2-0 intermission deficit did not bode well for the Wildcatters, as the Gladiators (11-4-0-1) brought a blemish-free 6-0-0 record when leading after the first period into tonight's game.
The second period would bring new life to the 'Catters as Scott Champagne would net his second goal of the season at 10:34. The scoring play would begin with a delayed penalty in the Wildcatters' end after defenseman Jonathan Paiement was struck in the face with an opponent's stick. Peter Aubry, who went on to collect his fourth straight win, would head to the bench for an extra attacker as Texas moved the puck up ice. John McNabb entered as the extra player and would receive a nice drop pass from Marc Fulton just inside the Gwinnett zone. Taking the puck along the boards, McNabb would send a centering pass directly to the stick of Champagne, standing just off the far post, who would redirect the pass past a sprawling Craig Kowalski to bring the score to 2-1.
Momentum appeared on the verge of shifting back towards Gwinnett when Champagne was called for holding at 13:30, but the Wildcatters relentless penalty killing unit of Ross Carlson, Max Taylor and Tim Cook would score the first Texas shorthanded goal since November 2 at 15:17 to knot the game at two. Cook would send the puck deep into the Gwinnett end, and Carlson, known for his hustle on special teams, would take possession in the midst of several Gladiator defenders and center the puck to Taylor, trailing the play and all alone in front of Kowalski. Faking to his backhand, the right-handed Taylor would come back right and go top-shelf over the glove of the Gwinnett goaltender, tying the game 2-2 and sending the modest but lively crowd of 1,416 into a frenzy.
Just a minute later, Jon Sitko would take a penalty for interference and give the Wildcatters, owners of a 15% power play success rate going into Friday's game, just their third man advantage of the game.
Paiement would let a trademark seeing-eye wrist shot fly from the point at 16:48 that would seemingly weave through the traffic in front of the net and sail past Kowalski to give the 'Catters their first lead of the game and complete a three-goal comeback that took just over six minutes to execute.
Gwinnett and Texas, each traditionally built for speed, would get physical in the third period. Taylor would drop Jamie Milam with a legal but devastating open ice body check and then fight with Scott Lehman seconds later in the game's only altercation.
Kowalski would leave the net in the final minute and Gwinnett would have several opportunities but Aubry and the Texas defense would prove reliable yet again as the 'Catters would hold on to win 3-2 and expand their South Division lead to six points.
The teams face off again tomorrow night at 7:05 as well as Sunday at 4:05. Gwinnett has not won at Ford Arena since December 5, 2004.
The Texas Wildcatters are the proud ECHL affiliate of the AHL's Houston Aeros and the Minnesota Wild of the NHL! Tune in watch and listen live on B2 Networks-or better yet show your support by attending a 'Catters game this weekend! Tickets for kids 12 and under are just $6 on Sundays or bring your next party to a hockey game with Wildcatters group discount rates that begin with parties of ten!
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