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Wildcatters Shutout Inferno 7-0

February 23, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release


Beaumont, TX-- Kevin Baker had two goals and two assists and Jeff Pietrasiak registered his first shutout as the Texas Wildcatters were winners by a touchdown Friday night, dousing the Columbia Inferno 7-0 in the first game of a weekend home series at Ford Arena.

The Wildcatters (40-5-3-5) dominated the action from the first puck drop but missed several early opportunities, perhaps adjusting to the pink ice, dyed in preparation for Saturday's highly anticipated "Pink in the Rink" promotion. Brandon Benedict would put a wicked wrister from the faceoff dot past Columbia goalie Jeff Jakaitis at 13:12 to break the scoreless tie with his 18th goal of the season. AJ Thelen and Baker would collect assists on what would prove to be the game winner.

Max Taylor would give the Catters a 2-0 lead at the first intermission with a power play goal-his 19th of the season-at 17:03. John Adams and Dan Welch would assist on the play and each finish the game with two points.

The second period was complete domination by the Wildcatters, who if they win tonight become the fastest team to 90 standings points in ECHL history. Texas would hold the Inferno (22-21-4-6) to only two shots on goal in the frame while peppering Jakaitis with 16-more than Columbia's total for the entire game. More importantly, goals by Jordie Preston at 5:56 (Carlson, Thelen) and Welch at 16:37 (Riddle, Baker) would increase the home team's lead to 4-0 by the second intermission.

Taylor would net his second of the night and 20th of the season-which leads Texas rookies-while down a man at 6:57 (Carlson, Adams) to make the score 5-0.

Baker, who played a brilliant game, was finally rewarded with two late goals, the first on the power play. After sending a defender sliding into the boards with a tight escape move, Baker found a seam in the slot and rang a hard wrist shot off high glove-side iron and into the back of the net to make the score 6-0.

His second of the night would also be the second shorthanded Wildcatters goal of the game. Down a man, Baker would win a footrace to an open puck in the neutral zone and skate in unabated, faking to the forehand and sliding a sneaky backhander past Jakaitis on the stick side to bring the final score to 7-0 with less than two minutes remaining.

The shutout is the first for Pietrasiak as a Wildcatter, stopping all 14 shots the Inferno could muster. The Wildcatters also held Columbia to 0-for-3 on the power play. Texas would go 2-for-7 on the man advantage-and score a third just moments after a power play expired-while blasting 39 shots on Jakaitis.

Join the Wildcatters and the Julie Rogers "Gift of Life" Programin the fight against breast cancer by attending PINK IN THE RINK Saturday, February 23 at 7:05! The Ford Arena ice will be dyed pink and the Wildcatters will be wearing special pink jerseys which will be auctioned LIVE following the game! A silent auction for pink player sticks, photos, and other items will take place on the Party Patio by section 117 during the game. All attending may enter to win a 40" Samsung LCD HDTV courtesy of Conn's, which will be given away following the live auction. All auction proceeds benefit the Julie Rogers "Gift of Life" Program.

The Wildcatters and Inferno conclude their series Sunday afternoon with a 4:05 match. Mezzanine tickets Sunday begin at $6 for kids 12 and under.

The Texas Wildcatters are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild and the AHL's Houston Aeros! Celebrate the Wildcatters Fifth Anniversary season! Book your group today by calling 409.951.5500!



ECHL Stories from February 23, 2008


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