Wildcatters Weekly

January 2, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release


Beaumont, TX (January 2, 2007) The number one team in the ECHL, the Texas Wildcatters enter the week with the most points and the best winning percentage in the league. The 'Catters are 20-6-2-1 after taking five out of a possible six points against the Florida Everblades. Texas has now increased their lead over second place Florida by three points. The Wildcatters are one of the best teams on home ice with a record of 10-2-1-1. Forward Mike Bayrack leads the team with 15 goals and 35 points. Goaltender Matt Yeats is tied for the league lead with 14 wins. The 'Catters continue their success without three of their top players in Marco Rosa, J.F. David and Kevin Baker. All three are currently playing in the highest developmental league, the AHL.

This Week's Games

Friday, January 5 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, January 6 at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday, January 7 at 2:05 p.m. vs., Columbia

The Wildcatters continue their six game home stand with a three game series against the Columbia Inferno. This is the one and only visit of the season for the Inferno to Southeast Texas. In two visits to Columbia, the 'Catters defeated the Inferno 5-2 on November 3 and 3-1 on November 24. Columbia is led by forward, Jeff Miles who has 29 points in 27 games. Goaltenders Todd Ford and Robert Gherson have split time this season. Ford leads the Columbia goaltenders. He is 6-5-1-2 with a 2.67 GAA and a .925 save percentage.

Last week - Wildcatters Increase First Place Lead with 2-0-1 Record vs. Florida

Thursday, December 28 vs. Florida 4-1 WIN

The Texas Wildcatters behind four different goal scorers and 28 saves from goaltender Miroslav Kopriva defeated the Florida Everblades 4-1 in front of 2,205 at Ford Arena. Jason Beeman with a great individual effort got the scoring started at the 9:41 mark as he beat Florida goaltender David Shantz from the left circle. Just 36 seconds later, last year's ECHL rookie of the year and league leading scorer, Alex Leavitt scored in his first game as a Wildcatter to make it 2-0. Florida's Reggie Berg scored with just 5.9 seconds left to make it a 2-1 game after one period. Defenseman Jonathan Paiement scored his third goal of the season shorthanded at the 10:35 mark of the second period to give Texas a controlling 3-1 lead. Paul Albers rounded out the scoring with his seventh goal of the year, on the power play from Cote and Proulx as the 'Catters went on to win 4-1. Goaltender Miroslav Kopriva continues to play well against Florida as he has now made 63 saves and has allowed just one goal in his last two starts. Both teams finished the game 1 for 6 on the power play.

Friday, December 29 vs. Florida 1-0 Shootout Loss

The Texas Wildcatters and Florida Everblades played a defensive battle for 65 minutes that ended with the Everblades winning in a shootout 1-0 in front of 2,013 at Ford Arena. 'Catters goaltender Matt Yeats made 36 saves, including some key saves in the third period to help the 'Catters earn a point. The league's two best teams played a playoff type game early in the season. The Everblades outscored the Wildcatters 3-1 in the shootout. Mike Bayrack was the lone goal scorer for Texas in the shootout. Florida's Vince Bellisimo, Brent McDonald and Chris Lee netted goals for the Everblades in the extra frame. Florida out shot Texas 37-33 in the game. Matt Yeats and Everblades goaltender Craig Kowalski both get credit for a shut out. The two goalies now have two shut outs on the season.

Saturday, December 30 vs. Florida 4-1 WIN

Goaltender Matt Yeats stopped 46 Florida Everblades shots as the Texas Wildcatters (20-6-2-1) go into the new year as the number one team in the ECHL with a 4-1 win in front of 2,138 at Ford Arena. The 'Catters took five out of a possible six points in the three game series and now have 43 points, three points ahead of the Everblades in the South Division. Daniel Sparre got the scoring underway at the 3:44 mark of the first period from Leavitt and Bayrack to put Texas up 1-0. Later in the period, another great individual effort from Jason Beeman as he walked in on Everblades goaltender Craig Kowalski scoring to make it 2-0 after one period. Florida's Reggie Berg cut the lead to 2-1 with a goal with just over four minutes left in the third period, but the 'Catters would wrap it up with a couple of empty net goals. Olivier Proulx and Leon Hayward tallied goals with under a minute left to send the 'Catters home winners 4-1. Riley Emmerson and Bill Kinkel dropped the gloves for the third time this season. Florida out shot Texas 47-26 in the game. Both teams went scoreless on the power play. Florida was 0 for 6 and the 'Catters went 0 for 5. The three stars of the game were: 1. Matt Yeats, 2. Jason Beeman, 3. Daniel Sparre.

Wildcatters Itinerary (All Times are Central)
Monday, Jan. 1 Day Off - Happy New Year
Tuesday, Jan. 2 Practice at Ford Arena, 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 3 Practice at Ford Arena, 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, Jan. 4 Practice at Ford Arena, 10:00 a.m.
Friday, Jan. 5 Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Ford Arena
GAME vs. Columbia, 7:30 p.m. @ Ford Arena
Saturday, Jan. 6 Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Ford Arena
GAME vs. Columbia, 7:05 p.m. @ Ford Arena (Internet Broadcast Only)
Sunday, Jan. 7 GAME vs. Columbia, 2:05 p.m. @ Ford Arena

Upcoming Promotions

Friday, Jan. 5 - Student Friday - High School and college students can purchase $10 tickets (excluding glass seats) with presentation of their school I.D.

Saturday Jan. 6 - Five Point Credit Union Night - Five Point Credit Union invites you to join them on Saturday night. Free tickets are available at area Five Point Credit Union branches while supplies last. At the game, see the Five Point Credit Union Blimp and have fun with Cash-filled games. The first 1,000 fans will receive Wildcatters thundersticks, courtesy of Five Point Credit Union.

Sunday, Jan. 7 - Kids Day and Boy Scouts Day - Tickets for kids under 12 are available for purchase for just $5 up until game day. Boy scouts can purchase tickets for $8 prior to game day by calling the Wildcatters office at 409-951-5500.

Future Home Games at Ford Arena

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.

Sunday, Jan. 21 vs. Pensacola, 2:05 p.m.

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 Friday, January 5 vs. the Columbia Inferno. 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) 833-7747 or log on to ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit the Wildcatters online at www.wildcattershockey.com.



ECHL Stories from January 2, 2007


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