Wildcatters Take Shot at History Tonight
January 11, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release
Beaumont, TX-- The Texas Wildcatters look to become the first team in the 20-year history of the ECHL to register a 22-game "unbeaten in regulation" streak tonight at 7:30 in Ford Arena versus the South Carolina Stingrays.
Texas has gone 17-0-4 in their last 21 games, matching the streak set by Richmond who went 15-0-6 from Nov. 12-Dec. 30 1995. The last Texas loss came at home to the Elmira Jackals on Nov. 17 by way of a 4-1 decision.
Though not expected to start tonight, recently acquired goalie Jeff Pietrasiak will be on the bench. Pietrasiak was signed to a contract by the Wildcatters as a replacement for recently departed goalie Peter Aubry, who unexpectedly left earlier this week to join a team in Germany. Aubry has since been suspended by the Wildcatters, who retain his ECHL rights.
Pietrasiak, 27, comes to the Wildcatters after brief stints in Reading and Bakersfield this season. Last season, as the number one goalie in Reading, the rookie Pietrasiak registered a 14-16-3 record for the Royals (32-33-7, out of playoffs), playing ahead of eventual Wildcatters netminder Danny Taylor, where his save percentage was .901 and GAA 3.09.
Pietrasiak played 3 games for the Hershey Bears of the AHL last season and registered a 2-1 record.
In 2006-07, his final season at the University of New Hampshire, Pietrasiak registered a 2.29 GAA and .929 percentage to accompany his 12-5-2 record.
"Jeff was very eager to join our club and we are glad to welcome him," said Head Coach and VP of Hockey Operations Malcolm Cameron, "He has been a number one in this league and in a top U.S. college program, has AHL experience, and I feel he'll be a good fit in the locker room."
The Wildcatters would also like to announce that beginning tonight, multiple Wildcatters players will be available to sign autographs and take pictures at the Wildcatters merchandise stand for 30 minutes upon completion of each home game. Scheduled to appear tonight are defensemen Cleve Kinley, Mike Grenzy, and Tim Cook. Appearances are subject to change without notice.
Tonight's game begins a three-game weekend series versus the South Carolina Stingrays. Friday is Entergy Night, Entergy employees receive complimentary tickets for themselves and their families with presentation of Entergy ID at the Ford Park Box Office. The first 1000 fans in attendance will receive an Entery drink coozie, game time 7:30.
Saturday night is FivePoint Credit Union Thunderstix Night! The first 1000 fans in attendance will receive thunderstix courtesy of FivePoint Credit Union, America's Financial Convenience Store. Game time 7:05.
Sunday's finale begins at 4:05 and will be followed by a meet the team/ skate with the players session on the ice at Ford Arena. Fans are encouraged to bring their own skates to "chill" with the Catters for one hour after the game. Skates will not be available for rental, though all are encouraged to attend.
The Texas Wildcatters are the proud ECHL affiliate of the Houston Aeros and the NHL's Minnesota Wild! Call for group tickets, 951-5500!
ECHL Stories from January 11, 2008
- Grizzles drop 3-1 contest versus Idaho - Utah Grizzlies
- Royals rocked in roller coaster loss to Wheeling, 7-4 - Reading Royals
- OT goal caps hard fought game for Rays - South Carolina Stingrays
- Pilots Lose Hard Fought Game with Gwinnett 3-1 - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Briggs stand tall in Steelheads 3-1 win over Grizzlies - Idaho Steelheads
- Nailers score season-high seven - Wheeling Nailers
- Chiefs thump Jackals - Johnstown Chiefs
- Checkers shutout by Inferno - Charlotte Checkers
- Everblades hand Lynx 6-1 loss on Friday - Florida Everblades
- Early deficit sinks Elmira in 4-3 loss - Elmira Jackals
- 'Blades rebound to silence the Lynx in 6-1 win - Florida Everblades
- Gladiators beat Ice Pilots, 3-1 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Inferno burn Checkers 5-0 - Columbia Inferno
- Bombers see double in 5-2 win over Trenton - Dayton Bombers
- Devils drop to Bombers 5-2 - Trenton Devils
- Idaho acquires Matt Zabo from the New York Rangers - Idaho Steelheads
- Kowalski Reassigned to Gwinnett from AHL Syracuse - Atlanta Gladiators
- ECHL and the Wranglers Would Like Your Feedback - Las Vegas Wranglers
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- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Royals Bring Back Larry Courville - Reading Royals
- Dave McKee Loaned To AHL Grand Rapids - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Take a Break with the Bombers - Dayton Bombers
- Wildcatters Take Shot at History Tonight - Texas Wildcatters
- Halak Named Rbk Hockey/AHL Player of the Week - ECHL
- Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Alaska Aces - Stockton Thunder
- Salmon King Heads For Manitoba - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Stingrays Featured as ECHL Game of the Week - South Carolina Stingrays
- Jackals Roster Grows With Pair Of Division Battles Looming - Elmira Jackals
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Checkers To Unveil New Primary Logo - Charlotte Checkers
- Mystery Yosemite, Fresno Falcons To Make History At Yosemite National Park - Fresno Falcons
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