Wildcatters Fall 4-1 to Royals in Northern Finale

February 16, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release


Reading, PA - The Texas Wildcatters 23-game streak without a regulation loss will not be bested this season as they fell to the Reading Royals 4-1 Saturday night to conclude their six-game northern swing.

Reading jumped out to a 1-0 lead as Joe Zappala scored on just the second shot of the game, beating goalie Jeff Pietrasiak, playing in his fifth game of the road trip with a high snap shot off a rebound.

Patrick Jarrett put the Royals up 2-0 with a power play goal in the closing seconds of the first period, notching his fourth of the season at 19:43.

The Royals out shot the first-place Catters 7-11 in the first frame, though Texas would fire 34 shots to Reading's 23 for the game.

Ned Lukacevic made the score 3-0 with his fourteenth of the season at 3:28 of the second period.

Moises Gutierrez would net his ninth of the season for the lone Texas goal on an assist from Dan Welch at 5:55 of the period to make the score 3-1, but PJ Atherton would find the back of the net with another power play goal at 18:42 to make the score 4-1.

The Catters would go down fighting, outshooting the Royals 18-5 in the final period but unable to find their way behind Reading goalie Jonathan Quick, dropping their first game in regulation since January 15, ending a 14-game streak.

With only 20 games remaining, the 23-game streak set by the Wildcatters earlier in the season will not be broken in 2007-08.

Pietrasiak finished the game with 19 saves on 23 shots and Quick would stop 33 of 34. Reading's special teams were up to the challenge Saturday night, going 2-for-8 on the powerplay and shutting down all seven Texas advantages.

The Wildcatters climb back aboard the bus to make the long trip back to Southeast Texas after going 4-1-0-1 across the six-game trip, improving their road record to 21-3-1-2, just five wins off the ECHL record with five road games remaining this season.

The Wildcatters return home for three-game series versus the Columbia Inferno February 22-24. Jack in the Box Night is February 22 and PINK IN THE RINK arrives February 23. Come see the pink ice of Ford Arena and bid on special pink jerseys and sticks as the Wildcatters team up with the Julie Rogers "Gift of Life" Program in this breast cancer fundraiser event.

The Texas Wildcatters are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild and the AHL's Houston Aeros. Join the Catters march to the Kelly Cup Playoffs! Book your group by calling 409.951.5500.



ECHL Stories from February 16, 2008


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