Wildcatters Slip Past RoadRunners 4-3 In Overtime
Published on December 16, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release
BEAUMONT, Tex. - Brandin Cote scored with 11.8 seconds left in overtime to lift the Texas Wildcatters to a 4-3 overtime victory over the Phoenix RoadRunners spoiling Brett Smith's ECHL-high ninth consecutive game with a goal before 1,771 at Ford Arena in ECHL action Saturday in the rubber game of the three-game series.
The Wildcatters (17-5-2) built a 2-0 first period lead courtesy of an even-strength goal from J-F David at 8:14 of the period and a power play goal by Leon Hayward at 16:13. David skated into the RoadRunners zone from center and beat goaltender Cody Rudkowsky along the ice from the left-wing circle for the game's first goal and a 1-0 lead. Hayward made it 2-0 when he received the pass from Olivier Proulx in the slot and snapped a wrist shot by Rudkowsky's blocker on the man advantage.
The RoadRunners (11-4-1) answered at 10:06 of the second period on a four-on-four situation. Matt Smyth's shot from the left point was re-directed by Brock Hooton inside the right post of Texas goaltender Matt Yeats to cut the deficit in half to 2-1.
Phoenix netted the equalizer just 6:46 into the third period on the power play. Justin Aikins tipped Paul Ballantyne's point shot by Yeats to the near side to the score at 2-2. Texas regained the lead with less than seven minutes remaining in regulation as Mark Rooneem fed a streaking Paul Albers just out of the penalty box. Albers broke in alone on Rudkowsky and slipped the puck by Rudkowsky along the ice at 13:44 to give the Wildcatters a 3-2 advantage. Smith tied the game at 3-3 with 25.4 seconds remaining in regulation on a six-on-four power play situation with the goalie pulled as he beat Yeats with a one-time slap shot to the upper corner of the net to send the game to overtime.
Cote stuffed home Daniel Sparre's rebound in front of the net at 4:48 of the overtime period for the game-winner.
Texas out-shot Phoenix 33-30. The RoadRunners went 2-8 on the power play while Texas was 1-5 with the man advantage.
Notes: The RoadRunners have outscored their opponents now 33-14 in second periods...Aikins is riding a season-high five-game point streak...Texas returns to US Airways Center for a two-game series March 6-8.
Phoenix returns to US Airways Center at 7:11 p.m. Thursday, December 21 as they welcome back the Victoria Salmon Kings. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Individual game tickets for the 2006-07 regular season start as low $7 in the lower section and can be purchased at the US Airways Center Box Office and at all Ticketmaster outlets including Ticketmaster.com. Information on season tickets, half-season packages, and flex plans are available by calling (602) 462-GOAL.
ECHL Stories from December 16, 2006
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- Aces solidify hold on first place, beat Utah, 6-3 - Alaska Aces
- Captain Cote Wins it in Overtime for 'Catters - Texas Wildcatters
- Wildcatters Slip Past RoadRunners 4-3 In Overtime - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Reading Snaps Toledo Five Game Home Winning Streak - Toledo Walleye
- Chiefs blow away Cyclones 3-2 in overtime - Johnstown Chiefs
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- Everblades remain hot with fifth straight win - Florida Everblades
- Ice Pilots beat Columbia 3-2 - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Salmon Kings succumb to Condors nest - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Ryan Munce Recalled By Manchester - Reading Royals
- Griffith's Hat Trick Leads Condors Past Salmon Kings, 6-4 - Bakersfield Condors
- Teddy Bear Toss tonight with Santa - Augusta Lynx
- Condors Game Preview - Bakersfield Condors
- Rays vs. Everblades - South Carolina Stingrays
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Thunder gets to overtime on Bodie's goal and assist - Stockton Thunder
- Royals Bounce Back To Beat Wheeling, 6-3 - Reading Royals
- Condors Work Overtime To Beat Falcons, 3-2 - Bakersfield Condors
- Ice Pilots make roster moves - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Ice Pilots lose to Gwinnett 5-3 - Pensacola Ice Pilots
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