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Wildcatters Survive In Shootout, Beat Pensacola 4-3

December 8, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release


Beaumont, TX--The Texas Wildcatters bombarded the Pensacola Ice Pilots with 48 shots through regulation and overtime, but it was a Jonathan Paiement backhander in the first sudden death shootout round that would secure victory Friday night.

The Wildcatters would trail through one period after Mike Sgroi scored at 14:58, but David Schulz would light a fire under the Texas team when his blast from the left point would deflect past Pensacola goaltender Mike Brodeur to knot the game at one.

The Wildcatters, who would control the pace of the game for most of the evening, would have to earn every goal on Brodeur, who with 48 saves was stellar all night.

With seconds remaining in the second period, Bradon Benedict would score a beautiful goal off an assist from Dan Welch for his sixth goal of the season and send the 'Catters to the second intermission 2-1 leaders.

Joel Stepp would tie the game for the Ice Pilots with a power play goal at 4:32 of the third period, but Welch would send a laser beam of his own from the high slot over the glove of Brodeur for a beautiful goal with under nine minutes remaining.

Pensacola, who holds last place in the South Division, would not go down easy as Tim Songin would net his first goal of the season at 14:22 to eventually send the game to overtime.

Anton Khudobin, who was not pressed to the extent of his Pensacola counterpart through regulation, would make four key saves in the overtime period to send the game to a shootout.

The Wildcatters, who struggled to a 2-4 shootout record before tonight, would find themselves down early as the first Pensacola shooter, Konstantin Kalmikov, beat Khudobin to send the Ice Pilots to a 1-0 that would last until Benedict, the final Texas shooter, lined up for the 'Catters.

Taking the puck straight down the ice in a do-or-die situation, Benedict sent the Ford Arena crowd into a frenzy as he roofed a shot over the glove of Brodeur to tie the shootout with only one Pensacola shooter remaining.

Khudobin stuffed Jean-Claude Sawyer with his left leg pad on the fifh Pensacola attempt to send the shootout to sudden death.

Paiement brilliant move--a fake left with a cut back to his right--beat Brodeur with a backhander to give Texas the 2-1 advantage and give Khudobin, who entered the shootout 2-3 in shootouts a chance to take the outright lead in shootout wins among ECHL goaltenders.

Staying in perfect position, Khudobin stopped Chris Straube's attempt with his left pad to send the 'Catters to their third shootout win of the season.

With the victory, the Wildcatters extend their unbeaten streak to nine games, one short of their season high. With 34 standings points, they lead the South Division by five points and are the best team in the 25-team ECHL.

The Wildcatters return to action Saturday night at 7:05 versus the Ice Pilots. Intermission entertainment will feature a local youth hockey team versus a visiting team from Houston! This marks the inaugural game for the Beaumont Gushers of Golden Triangle Ice Hockey, don't miss this landmark event!

The Texas Wildcatters are the proud ECHL affiliate of the Houston Aeros of the AHL and the NHL's Minesota Wild. Call (409) 951-to book your next group party with the 'Catters!

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