Wildcatters Complete Perfect Season Series, Beat Ice Pilots 3-1 for Sweep
March 9, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release
Beaumont, TX-- The Texas Wildcatters (47-6-3-6) won their seventh straight and came one step away from clinching the South Division Sunday afternoon, completing the season sweep of the Pensacola Ice Pilots with a 3-1 victory.
Jordie Preston scored the eventual game-winner at 7:05 of the third period and Kris Tebbs made 29 saves en route to his sixth win as a Wildcatter as the Catters reached a ECHL-leading 103 standings points.
The game began with some fireworks as Mike Grenzy-who finished the game with a fight, an assist, and two punishing open-ice checks-dropped the gloves with Pensacola's Adam Meyer just 48 seconds into the game.
An even first period riddled with penalties from both sides gave way to a second-period Texas advantage when Ross Carlson beat Cam Ellsworth-playing in his third-straight game-with a power play goal 1:06 into the middle frame. Dan Welch and John McNabb would collect assists and Carlson would finish the game with two points.
Pensacola, who did everything they could to keep even with the Wildcatters all weekend, tied the game with a power play goal at 4:28. The 1-1 score would hold until Preston corralled a third-attempt rebound and lifted a backhand shot over the sprawling Ellsworth to give Texas the 2-1 lead at 7:05 of the third period.
Marc Fulton would find himself all alone on the back post and the recipient of a beautiful feed from Carlson which he put away for the insurance goal at 12:24 of the final frame.
Texas finishes the season a perfect 10-0-0 versus the Gulf Coast rival Ice Pilots and can clinch the South Division with a Gwinnett loss or tie Tuesday versus Augusta. Home ice advantage throughout the playoffs will have to wait, however, as Cincinnati has won 20 of their last 21 to keep pace with the Wildcatters' historic season. Should the Cyclones and Wildcatters win out, Cincinnati would win the tie breaker by virtue of having more victories.
The Wildcatters are just 14 standings points shy of setting the ECHL record, currently held by the 2001-02 Louisiana Ice Gators (116)
The Wildcatters return to action this weekend, facing the Augusta Lynx in a three-game weekend series beginning Friday night at 7:30.
The Texas Wildcatters are the proud ECHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild and the AHL's Houston Aeros!
Join the Catters' climb to history, call 409-951-5500 for tickets or log on to ticketmaster.com!
ECHL Stories from March 9, 2008
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- Wildcatters Complete Perfect Season Series, Beat Ice Pilots 3-1 for Sweep - Texas Wildcatters
- Devils Troubled by Chiefs, Fall 4-1 - Trenton Devils
- Falcons Complete Sweep in Utah with 6-4 Win - Fresno Falcons
- Ice Pilots Head Home After 3-1 Loss at Texas - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Kowalski's 44 saves stifles Lynx in 2-1 loss on Sunday - Augusta Lynx
- Chiefs Dispose Devils - Johnstown Chiefs
- Gladiators Slip By Lynx, 2-1 - Atlanta Gladiators
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Aces edge Salmon Kings again, 4-3 - Alaska Aces
- Wranglers Come Back Late to Tie, Win 3-2 in OT - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Condors drop first of two straight against Idaho in front of 6,842 - Bakersfield Condors
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