Wildcatters Weekly

Published on January 8, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release


Augusta, GA (January 8, 2007) The Texas Wildcatters go into the second week of the new year tied with four teams for the best record in the ECHL. The 'Catters are 20-8-2-2 and are tied with the Florida Everblades, Fresno Falcons and Las Vegas Wranglers for the best record in the league. Forward Mike Bayrack leads the Wildcatters with 15 goals and 36 points. Goaltender Matt Yeats is one of the top goalies in the league with 14 wins. Congratulations to Head Coach Malcolm Cameron who was selected to represent the American Conference in the ECHL All-Star Game on January 17 in Boise, Idaho. Cameron will join players Kevin Baker, Paul Albers and Mike Madill in the game.

This Week's Games

Tuesday, January 9 at 6:35 p.m. CT and Friday, January 12 at 6:35 p.m. CT at Augusta

The Wildcatters begin a six game road trip with a stop for two games in Augusta, GA to take on the Lynx. The two teams have met three times this season with the 'Catters earning five out of a possible six points. The last meeting occurred in Augusta on November 26 as the 'Catters defeated the Lynx 5-2. Miroslav Kopriva made 43 saves and Luis Tremblay scored the game winning goal. Augusta is led by forward, Ryan Lang who has 40 points in 32 games. Rookie goaltender Dave McKee is 13-8 with a 3.61 GAA and a..894 save percentage.

Saturday, January 13 at 6:35 p.m. CT at Gwinnett

The 'Catters continue their road trip with two games at Gwinnett. The first is this Saturday night. The Gladiators trail the Wildcatters by just two points in the South Division. Last meeting, the 'Catters swept the Gladiators in a two game series on November 10 and 11. The Gladiators have scoring power and are led by the ECHL's leading scorer Brad Schell. Schell has 15 goals and 50 assists for 65 points.

Last week - Columbia surprises the Wildcatters going 2-0-1 at Ford Arena

Friday, January 5 vs. Columbia 4-1 Loss

The visiting Columbia Inferno skated into Southeast Texas scoring three first period goals to upend the Wildcatters 4-1 in front of 2,003 at Ford Arena. Just 1:25 into the contest, Steve McJannet scored his seventh goal of the season to quickly put the Inferno up 1-0. Two minutes later Brad Ralph lit the lamp on the power play to make it 2-0. The Inferno would conclude the first period scoring with just 10 seconds left as Anthony Battaglia netted a short handed goal right of the face off and Columbia led 3-0. Daniel Sparre scored the lone goal for the Wildcatters, getting his 10th of the season. Columbia's leading scorer Jeff Miles netted his 11th and the Inferno went on to a 4-1 win. Tony Quesada made his first start for the Wildcatters after he was sent from AHL Houston earlier in the day. He allowed three goals and made 10 saves in the first period. He was relieved by Matt Yeats who finished the game stopping 12 shots. Columbia goaltender Todd Ford made 34 saves in the win.

Saturday, January 6 vs. Columbia 3-2 Loss

The Columbia Inferno rallied with two third period goals to defeat the Wildcatters 3-2 in front of 3,728 at Ford Arena. Owen Fussey got the scoring started with his tenth goal of the season 2:20 into the second period to make it 1-0. The 'Catters got goals from Jonathan Paiement and Jason Beeman to take a 2-1 lead into the third period. Leon Hayward broke in on a two on one with Jonathan Paiement and fed Paiement for a short handed goal to tie the game at one. Then with just 43 seconds left in the second period Jason Beeman scored his fifth goal of the season on the power play from Madill and Albers to give the 'Catters their first lead in the series. Columbia would rally and score twice in the third period. Just 45 seconds in, Bryson Busniuk scored to tie the game and at the 11:32 mark, Scott Sheppard gave the Inferno the lead to stay with his sixth goal of the year. It was the first time this season, the 'Catters lost two games in a row and the first time they lost when leading after two periods. Texas was 17-0. The crowd of 3,728 was the second largest for a game this season at Ford Arena. The home opener saw 4,050 attend. Columbia out shot Texas 46-33.

Sunday, January 7 vs. Columbia 5-4 Shootout Loss

The Texas Wildcatters (20-8-2-2) rallied in the third period to gain a point, but lost in a shootout by a score of 5-4 in front of 1,661 at Ford Arena. Columbia's Jeff Miles scored the game winning goal in the shootout as the Inferno scored two goals against one for the 'Catters in the extra frame. Texas went down 1-0 in the first period, but fought back scoring twice in the second. Paul Albers and Daniel Sparre both scored on the power play just 1:43 apart to give the Wildcatters a 2-1 advantage. Columbia would answer as Owen Fussey scored his first of the afternoon on the power play and Mike Vellinga netted his second of the season to make it 3-2 Columbia. Olivier Proulx opened the third period scoring with his 13th of the year on the power play and Alex Leavitt gave the lead back to the 'Catters 4-3. However, the Inferno tied the game up once again as Owen Fussey scored his second of the day and 12th of the season. The two teams would go to a shootout and the Inferno scored twice. The final shooter Jeff Miles beat Miroslav Kopriva to upend Texas. Brandin Cote scored the lone goal for Texas in the shootout. The 'Catters out shot Columbia 46-38 in the game.

Wildcatters Itinerary (All Times are Central)

Monday, Jan. 8 Travel Day

Tuesday, Jan. 9 Pre-Game Skate, 10:15 a.m. at James Brown Arena

GAME at Augusta, 6:35 p.m. @ James Brown Arena

Wednesday, Jan. 10 Day Off

Thursday, Jan. 11 Practice at 11:00 a.m.

Friday, Jan. 12 Pre-Game Skate, 10:15 a.m. @ James Brown Arena

GAME at Augusta, 6:35 p.m. @ James Brown Arena

Saturday, Jan. 13 Pre-Game Skate, 10:15 a.m. @ The Arena at Gwinnett Center

GAME at Gwinnett, 6:35 p.m. @ The Arena at Gwinnett Center

Sunday, Jan. 14 Day Off

Upcoming Promotions

Sunday, Jan. 21 - Burger King Kids and Family Day - Tickets for kids 12 and under are just $5. Also, there will be X-Box game giveaways.

Friday, Jan. 26 - Chili for Charity - The 'Catters are spicing things up and want your group or company to come out to compete and see who has the best chili in Southeast Texas. The event begins at noon and judging and tasting is at 5 p.m. Entry fee is $100 and includes a donation to charity as well as 15 tickets to the game that night against South Carolina.

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

Saturday Jan. 27 - Entergy Night - Come out and get energized to see the Wildcatters.

Future Home Games at Ford Arena

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

Thursday, Jan. 25 vs. South Carolina, 7:05 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 26 vs. South Carolina, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 27 vs. South Carolina, 7:05 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. 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 Sunday, January 21 vs. the Pensacola Ice Pilots. 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.

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