Wildcatters Weekly

December 12, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release


Beaumont, TX (December 11, 2006) The Texas Wildcatters enter the week with a 15-4-2-0 record after winning two out of three games at home against Charlotte. Texas leads the American Conference and South Division with 32 points. The 'Catters have the second best winning percentage in the ECHL and have the most wins in the league. Kevin Baker leads the ECHL with 16 goals and 11 power play goals. Matt Yeats leads the league with 11 wins in goal.

This Week's Games

Thursday, December 14 at 7:05 p.m., Friday, December 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 16 at 7:05 p.m. CT vs. Phoenix

The 'Catters continue their home stand as they take on the Phoenix Roadrunners for the first time in team history. Phoenix comes to Southeast Texas with a record of 12-10-0-0 and trail first place Alaska and Idaho by two points in the National Conference's West Division. Phoenix is led by forward Scott May who has 12 goals and 16 assists for 28 points. The Roadrunners have used four goaltenders this year due to injury. Mike Morrison who was sent down by the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes has started the last several games and is 2-1-0 with a 2.67 GAA and a..906 save percentage.

Last week - Wildcatters Win Two of Three in Return Home vs. Charlotte

Tuesday, December 7 vs. Charlotte 4-3 OT Shootout WIN

The Texas Wildcatters stayed unbeaten at home after defeating Charlotte in the first shootout for both teams this season by a score of 4-3 in front of 1,289 at Ford Arena. In his return to the 'Catters, Marco Rosa scored a power play goal and also scored one of the two Wildcatters shootout goals. Daniel Sparre tallied the shootout winner as the 'Catters beat the Checkers 2-1 in the extra frame. Olivier Proulx continued his 12 game point scoring streak as he scored his ninth goal of the year at the 3:01 mark of the first period. Rosa made it 2-0 midway through the first with a power play goal. Charlotte would get on the board in the second period as one of the league's leading scorers, Mark Lee netted his tenth goal of the year. Brandin Cote gave the 'Catters a two goal lead when he lit the lamp at the 15:40 mark. Adam Nightingale cut the lead to one with four minutes left in the second. The 'Catters fought off Charlotte for most of the third period until Daymen Rycroft scored with just 18 seconds left as the Checkers pulled goalie Chris Holt for the extra attacker. The game went to a shootout where the Wildcatters scored two goals in comparison to just one for Charlotte and went on to the win. Goaltender Miroslav Kopriva made 26 saves in the win for Texas.

Friday, December 8 vs. Charlotte 4-0 WIN

Goaltender Matt Yeats made 53 saves and Daniel Sparre scored three third period goals for his first hat trick of the season as the Texas Wildcatters shutout Charlotte 4-0 in front of 1,869 at Ford Arena. It was the third straight win for the Wildcatters and they are now 11-1-1 in their last 13 games. Brandin Cote scored his 12th goal of the season shorthanded at 7:38 of the first period to put the 'Catters ahead 1-0. It was Cote's fourth game winning goal of the season which leads the league. Texas entered the third period with a 1-0 lead. Daniel Sparre would take over scoring three times in the third. His first goal came at 1:51 of the third period. Then at 5:30 of the third, Sparre scored on the power play to make it a 3-0 game. Riley Emmerson dropped the gloves twice tonight, fighting Nathan Gillies and Jan Vodrazka. In the second fight, Vodrazka provoked Emmerson and was given an extra two minute instigation penalty. While Vodrazka was going after Emmerson, Sparre scored his third of the game for the hat trick and the 'Catters went on to the 4-0 win.

Saturday, December 9 vs. Charlotte 5-3 Loss

The Texas Wildcatters saw their home unbeaten streak come to an end as the Charlotte Checkers won by a score of 5-3 in front of 2,317 at Ford Arena. The Checkers struck early in the game scoring twice in the first minute as Lee Falardeau scored the first of his two goals on the night and Mike Ouellette netted one. The goals came just 12 second apart. Brandin Cote scored his 13th of the year to cut the lead to one. Adam Nightingale put Charlotte back up by two with 34 seconds left in the period. Catters' defenseman Mike Madill scored his first professional goal at 5:41 of period number two to make it a 3-2 Charlotte lead. The Checkers though would score twice in the second to go ahead 5-2. Marco Rosa scored his tenth goal of the year with just two minutes left in the game, but it was too late as Charlotte held on for the 5-3 win. Matt Yeats allowed four goals on 15 shots and was relieved by Miroslav Kopriva midway through the game. Charlotte goaltender Alex Westlund made 50 saves in the win.

Upcoming Promotions

Thursday, Dec. 14 - Three's a Crowd Promotion - Fans will be able to purchase tickets for just $10 excluding glass seats.

Friday, Dec. 15 - Playstation 3 Giveaway - One Lucky fan will win the hottest item this Christmas, the Playstation 3 Video Game System from Best Buy. Your game ticket is good for one entry. Additional entries can be purchased for just $5. There is a maximum of 10 additional entries allowed.

Saturday, Dec. 16 - Teddy Bear Toss for Tots - The Wildcatters have teamed up with Buckner Children's Village and the Southeast Texas Toys for Tots for the annual "Teddy Bear Toss"! After the Wildcatters score their first goal of the night, fans will be encouraged to throw new, plush, unwrapped toys on the ice, to be collected and given to the Southeast Texas Toys for Tots program and Buckner Children's Village. Fans can purchase bears at the Wildcatters at the merchandise booth.

Friday, Dec. 29 - Black Out Night and Student Friday - Fans should wear black clothing to the game for the Black Out Night. Also, high school and college students can purchase tickets for just $10 with their student ID.

Saturday, Dec. 30 - Hydration Celebration - In preparation for New Year's Eve, the first 1,000 fans will receive a free bottle of water from Southeast Texas Water, your local Culligan Dealer.

Future Home Games at Ford Arena
Thursday, Dec. 14 vs. Phoenix, 7:05 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 15 vs. Phoenix, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 16 vs. Phoenix, 7:05 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 28 vs. Florida, 7:05 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 29 vs. Florida, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 30 vs. Florida, 7:05 p.m.

Wildcatters in the Community

On Monday, December 11, the Wildcatters Front Office and Players will be at Parkdale Mall all day long to ring the bell for the Salvation Army. On Tuesday afternoon, players will be decorating teddy bears at the Wacky Bear Factory at Parkdale Mall. These teddy bears will be auctioned off after the game on Saturday night.

Wildcatters on the Air

ESPN Radio 1450 am The Ticket is the exclusive home for Texas Wildcatters Hockey all season long. Join the "Voice of the Wildcatters" Anthony Langella, Jr. for all the play-by-play action. The Wildcatters Warm-up show will begin 20 minutes prior to opening face-off. You can also catch the action at www.wildcattershockey.com by clicking on the listen to the ticket link on the left side of the home page. Select games are also available to view for a fee on the B2 Networks by clicking on the link at the left of the Wildcatters homepage.

Ticket Information

The Texas Wildcatters are the ECHL affiliate for the AHL's Houston Aeros. The next Wildcatters home game is on Thursday, December 14 vs. the Phoenix Roadrunners. The game features a three's a crowd promotion where fans can purchase tickets for just $10 through Ticketmaster. Don't miss any hard-hitting Wildcatters hockey action. 2006-07 Season Tickets are still available. Wildcatters' season tickets start at just $9 per game and feature numerous benefits including free parking and discounted merchandise. Group discount plans are also available by calling (409) 951-5500. For single game tickets stop by the Ford Park Box Office, call (409) 951-5440 or log on to ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit the Wildcatters online at www.wildcattershockey.com.



ECHL Stories from December 12, 2006


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