Wildcatters Score Early And Often, Beat Stingrays 4-2

January 13, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release


Beaumont, TX- The Texas Wildcatters scored early and often Saturday night, riding four first period goals to a 4-2 victory over the South Carolina Stingrays and extending their ECHL record unbeaten-in-regulation streak to 23 games.

John McNabb gave the Wildcatters a 1-0 lead before many of the 2,989 in attendance had made it to their seats, beating former Wildcatters goalie Davis Parley with a close range wrister that snuck between Parley's left leg pad and the short side post 34 seconds into the game. Danny Welch and Brandon Benedict would collect assists on the goal, McNabb's 18th of the year, extending Benedict's points streak to ten games, the second longest current streak in the league.

Scott Champagne would make it 2-0 with the first of his two goals just 90 seconds later, getting help from Jordie Preston and Mike Grenzy for his eighth of the year at 2:03.

Benedict would register a power play tally for his twelfth of the season to make the score 3-0 at 5:00. Riley Emmerson would drop the gloves and battle Nate Kiser before play would resume, but it would take more than a fight to slow the Texas momentum. Scott Champagne would make a beautiful deflection on a McNabb shot from the point for his second goal of the night, increasing the lead to 4-0 at 8:08.

South Carolina, winners in 14 of their last 17, would not roll over to the ECHL-leading Wildcatters. After being outshot 17-7 in the first frame, the Stingrays would fire 27 shots on goal against the Wildcatters' 15 in the final two periods.

The teams skated to a scoreless second period, and though South Carolina's Travis Morin would score twice in the final stanza the Wildcatters would cruise to their 17th win in their last 20 games.

Anton Khudobin, pulled in the second period of Friday's game, would return to his usual stellar form Saturday. The victory improves his season record to 14-0-3. He remains the only goalie of record in the league yet to register a regulation loss.

The Wildcatters have not lost in regulation since November 17. Their current 23-game streak is the longest in the 20-year history of the ECHL. At 27-2-2-4 they are the league's best team and hold a 13-point lead over the Gwinnett Gladiators in the South Division.

The Wildcatters close out the series and home stand with a 4:05 match-up with the Stingrays, mezzanine tickets for kids 12 and under are just $6! Don't make yourself choose between Dallas Cowboys football and Wildcatters hockey-enjoy complimentary popcorn and keep an eye on the game from the VIP room which will be open to the public free of charge.

The Texas Wildcatters are the proud ECHL affiliate of the Houston Aeros of the AHL and the NHL's Minnesota Wild. Book your group now with the Catters-call 409.951.5500



ECHL Stories from January 13, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central