Wildcatters Weekly

Published on December 18, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release


Beaumont, TX (December 18, 2006) The Texas Wildcatters enter the week with a 17-5-2-0 record after winning two out of three games at home against the Phoenix Roadrunners. Texas is tied for the American Conference and South Division lead with 36 points with the Florida Everblades. The 'Blades will be the 'Catters next home opponent as they visit Southeast Texas for a three game series beginning on December 28. The 'Catters have the second best winning percentage in the ECHL. Kevin Baker leads the ECHL with 18 goals and 11 power play goals. Matt Yeats leads the league with 13 wins in goal.

This Week's Games

Friday, December 22 at 7:05 p.m. CT and Saturday, December 23 at 7:05 p.m. CT at Pensacola
The 'Catters head out on the road for a brief two game series against the Pensacola Ice Pilots. The Wildcatters defeated Pensacola 4-1 on October 27 and 6-4 on October 28 in the home opener at Ford Arena. The Ice Pilots are 6-16-1-1 with 14 points and are currently in last place in the South Division. Pensacola is led by forwards Mike Wirll and Colin Hemingway. Wirll came over in a trade with Utah and has 24 points while Hemingway has averaged a point per game and has 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 points.

Last week - Wildcatters Win Two of Three vs. Phoenix

Thursday, December 14 vs. Phoenix 3-2 WIN
League leading goal scorer Kevin Baker scored twice as the Texas Wildcatters powered past the Phoenix Roadrunners by a score of 3-2 in front of 1,181 at Ford Arena. Baker scored his 17th and 18th goals of the season. The second was the game winner which came at the 8:56 mark of the second period. Jonathan Paiement opened the scoring with a shot from the blue line to give the 'Catters a 1-0 lead in the first. It was a power play goal from Sparre and Albers. Tommy Maxwell would tie the game just 31 seconds later at the 14:35 mark of period 1. Baker got his first of the night from Madill and Bayrack just a couple minutes later to give the 'Catters a 2-1 lead after one period. Baker scored to open the second from Bayrack and Rosa to make it 3-1, but Brett Smith scored his 10th of the season with 3:31 left in the second period to cut the lead to 3-2. 'Catters goalie Matt Yeats kept Phoenix scoreless in the third period as he made 35 saves in all to help Texas to the 3-2 win. The 'Catters finished the game 1 for 6 on the power play while Phoenix went 0 for 6.

Friday, December 15 vs. Phoenix 2-0 Loss
Phoenix Roadrunners goaltender Cody Rudkowsky made 51 saves as the Wildcatters were shut out for the first time this season 2-0 in front of 1,836 at Ford Arena. The Roadrunners scored their two goals just 57 second apart midway through the second period. Both came on the power play. Justin Aikins struck first at the 9:12 mark with the assists from Cam Paddock and Matt Deschamps. Then, Brett Smith continued his goal scoring streak which is now at eight straight games, getting his 11th goal of the season from Brock Hooton at the 10:09 mark. The Wildcatters out shot Phoenix 51-28 and 'Catters goaltender Miroslav Kopriva made 26 saves in the loss. The Roadrunners finished the game 2 for 9 on the power play while Texas went 0 for 9.

Saturday, December 16 vs. Phoenix 4-3 OT WIN
Captain Brandin Cote scored in overtime to power the Wildcatters past Phoenix 4-3 in front of 1,771 at Ford Arena on Teddy Bear Toss Night. Cote scored his 14th goal of the season with traffic in front of the Roadrunners net with just 12 second left in the extra frame. It was his league leading fifth game winning goal. Phoenix forced overtime with 25 seconds left in the third period as Brett Smith scored in the slot on the power play with the goaltender pulled. Smith continued his ECHL season high nine game goal scoring streak. J.F. David started the scoring as he beat three Phoenix defenders to put Texas up 1-0. Leon Hayward added to the lead with a power play goal from Cote and Proulx to make it 2-0. Phoenix came back to tie things up with a goal midway through the second period and then Justin Aikins scored his second goal in as many nights. Paul Albers would put the 'Catters back ahead at the 13:44 mark of the third period, but Smith forced the overtime for Phoenix. Matt Yeats made 27 saves in the win for Texas. The 'Catters finished the game 1 for 5 on the power play and Phoenix went 2 for 8. Mark Rooneem and Olivier Proulx both dropped the gloves for the first time this year. Rooneem fought Tommy Maxwell in the first period and Proulx fought Brett Smith in the second period.

Wildcatters Itinerary (All Times are Central)
Monday, Dec. 18 Day Off
Tuesday, Dec. 19 Practice at Ford Arena
Wednesday, Dec. 20 Practice at Ford Arena
Thursday, Dec. 21 Practice at Ford Arena, Travel to Pensacola
Friday, Dec. 22 Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Pensacola Civic Center
GAME at Pensacola, 7:05 p.m. CT @ Pensacola Civic Center
Saturday, Dec. 23 Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Pensacola Civic Center
GAME at Pensacola, 7:05 p.m. CT @ Pensacola Civic Center
Sunday, Dec. 24 - Tuesday, Dec. 26 Holiday Break

Holiday Hat Trick
The Wildcatters are offering the Holiday Hat Trick which allows fans to come see the 'Catters take on the red hot Florida Everblades on December 28, 29 and 30 for just $30. To purchase the package, please call the Wildcatters at 409-951-5500.

Upcoming Promotions
Thursday, Dec. 28 - Buddy Night - Did you forget to buy your friend a Christmas gift? Bring a "buddy" to the game and get their ticket for half price. Have a great time with great company.
Friday, Dec. 29 - Black Out Night and Student Friday - Fans should wear black clothing to the game to make it a black out night at Ford Arena. Also, high school and college students can purchase tickets for just $10 with their student ID.
Saturday, Dec. 30 - Hydration Celebration - Getting ready to paint the town "red" at your New Year's celebration needs planning. Being hydrated is crucial and the Wildcatters are here to ensure you are fully hydrated before bringing in the New Year. The first 1,000 fans will receive an exclusive bottle of Wildcatters bottled water.

Future Home Games at Ford Arena
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.
Friday, Jan. 5 vs. Columbia, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 6 vs. Columbia, 7:05 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 7 vs. Columbia, 2:05 p.m.

Wildcatters in the Community
On Monday, December 18, Wildcatters players will be visiting the Ronald McDonald House in Galveston. On Tuesday, December 19 at 12:30 p.m., the Wildcatters are teaming up with Habitat for Humanity to take part in the construction of a new home for a deserving resident of Southeast Texas.

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 28 vs. South Division rival, the Florida Everblades. Both teams are tied for the most points in the ECHL. 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.

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