Wildcatters Weekly

Published on January 22, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release


Beaumont, TX (January 22, 2007) The Texas Wildcatters are coming off a very successful week, winning three out of four games. The 'Catters are 23-11-2-3 and are currently in second place in the South Division, sitting just one point behind first place Gwinnett with one game in hand. The 'Catters own the best winning percentage in the American Conference. Forward Mike Bayrack leads the Wildcatters with 16 goals and 40 points while goaltender Matt Yeats is first among 'Catters goalies with 15 wins. Forwards Marco Rosa and Kevin Baker returned to the team last week and had great success. Rosa scored six goals in the four games while Baker had a goal and four assists since rejoining the 'Catters.

This Week's Games

Thursday, January 25 at 7:05 p.m., Friday, January 26 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, January 27 at 7:05 p.m. vs. South Carolina

The Wildcatters continue their seven game home stand as they host the South Carolina Stingrays in a South Division battle. The Wildcatters have taken the first two meetings which occurred in North Charleston, South Carolina. The 'Catters took the first game on November 22 as Jason Beeman scored his first professional goal. It was a game winner as Texas won 5-3. The 'Catters also won on November 25 by a score of 5-4. The Stingrays are led by Cail MacLean who has 15 goals and 39 points. Former Wildcatters goaltender Davis Parley has been the mainstay in net for South Carolina. He leads the league with 19 wins.

Last week - 'Catters Joust Gladiators and 'Ice' Pilots, Winning Three of Four

Monday, January 15 at Gwinnett 5-4 Win

In their return to the lineup Marco Rosa scored twice including the game winner and Kevin Baker added two assists as the Wildcatters defeated the Gladiators 5-4 in front of 6,389 at The Arena at Gwinnett Center. Forwards Marco Rosa and Olivier Proulx who both celebrated birthdays scored three of the 'Catters five goals in the victory. Alex Leavitt had a big day scoring the game's first goal on the power play 2:55 into the first period and he added three assists. Matt Yeats held off a flurry of shots in the last several minutes to earn his 15th win of the season. Yeats made 37 saves in the win.

Friday, January 19 at Pensacola 4-2 Loss

Pensacola scored three goals in the third period and Dallas Steward scored the game winning goal as the Ice Pilots defeated the Wildcatters 4-2 in front of 3,404 at the Pensacola Civic Center. Texas opened the scoring in the first period as Marco Rosa scored his 13th of the season and second in as many games to put the 'Catters up 1-0. Pensacola responded as Jason Goulet beat goaltender Matt Yeats in the second to tie the game at one. In the third period, the Ice Pilots would take their first lead of the night as David Wrigley netted a shorthanded goal just 1:15 into the third period. The Wildcatters answered as Jason Beeman put home a rebound after a backhanded shot by Captain Brandin Cote to tie the game at two. Pensacola would score two more goals as Dallas Steward and Sergei Ogorodnikov helped the Ice Pilots to a 4-2 win.

Saturday, January 20 at Pensacola 5-2 Win

Marco Rosa scored twice including the game winner as the Wildcatters beat Pensacola 5-2 in front of 4,644 at the Pensacola Civic Center. Rosa scored his 14th and 15th goals of the season in the first period. The second came from Alex Leavitt and Mike Bayrack on the power play with just two minutes remaining in the first. Leavitt added a goal in the first period as Texas led 3-2 after one. Olivier Proulx would chip in with this 15th goal of the year four minutes into the second period and Leon Hayward rounded out the scoring with his 8th goal of the season to give the 'Catters a 5-2 win. Miroslav Kopriva made 35 saves for his seventh victory of the season.

Sunday, January 21 vs. Pensacola 6-3 Win

The Wildcatters got goals from six different scorers in a 6-3 win over Pensacola in front of 1,759 at Ford Arena. The 'Catters scored four unanswered goals after the Ice Pilots took an early 1-0 lead on Mike Wirll's 27th goal of the season. Kevin Baker scored his 19th of the year. It was on the power play at 5:51 of the first period to tie the game up at one. Mike Madill threw a shot on net from the blue line to give the 'Catters their first lead of the game. Then, Marco Rosa scored his fifth goal in the last four games to make it a 3-1 game. Daniel Sparre opened the second period scoring with a power play goal and Texas was coasting, up 4-1. The Ice Pilots wouldn't quit as David Wrigley and Nate Metcalf made it a 4-3 game. Mike Bayrack who had two assists chipped in with his 16th goal of the season and then Olivier Proulx insured the Wildcatters victory. Texas went on for the 6-3 win. Miroslav Kopriva made 21 saves for the win. The 'Catters went 4 for 8 on the power play while Pensacola was 1 for 6. Texas out shot the Ice Pilots 49 to 24.

Wildcatters Itinerary (All Times are Central)

Monday, Jan. 15 Day Off

Tuesday, Jan. 16 Practice at Ford Arena, 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 17 Practice at Ford Arena, 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, Jan. 18 Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Ford Arena

GAME vs. South Carolina, 7:05 p.m. @ Ford Arena

Friday, Jan. 19 Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Ford Arena

GAME vs. South Carolina, 7:30 p.m. @ Ford Arena

Saturday, Jan. 20 Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Ford Arena

GAME vs. South Carolina, 7:05 p.m. @ Ford Arena

Sunday, Jan. 21 Day Off

Upcoming Promotions

Thursday, Jan. 25 - Mid-County Radio Control Club will be doing trick-plane demonstrations during the intermissions.

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 - The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a golf towel from Entergy. Come out and get energized to see the Wildcatters.

Wildcatters in the Community

Monday, Jan. 22 - DESK Happy Meal Party at Kountze Elementary School

Tuesday, Jan. 23 - DESK Happy Meal Party at Robert E. Lee Elementary School,

Gulf Credit Union Hockey Clinic at the Grand Opening of their Mid County Branch,

Girl Scout Meeting Appearance

Wednesday, Jan. 24 - DESK Happy Meal Party at Helena Park Elementary School

Future Home Games at Ford Arena

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.

Thursday, Feb. 1 vs. Long Beach, 7:05 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 2 vs. Long Beach, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 3 vs. Long Beach, 7:05 p.m.

Time Change Announcement

The Wildcatters game on Saturday, February 17 vs. Pensacola that was originally scheduled for 7:05 p.m. has been changed. The game will now start at 2:05 p.m.

Wildcatters Shine in 2007 Rbk Hockey ECHL All-Star Game

The Wildcatters proudly represented Southeast Texas and the American Conference at the 2007 Rbk Hockey ECHL All-Star Game last week. Head Coach Malcolm Cameron led the American Conference to a 6-3 win in the game on Wednesday night. The conference also won the skills competition, defeating the National Conference. Kevin Baker scored a goal and added an assist. Defensemen Paul Albers had two assists and a rating of plus four while Mike Madill helped the American Conference win the puck control relay on Tuesday night and had a plus one in the game. Congratulations on a job well done!

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 the 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. For those who are out of the area, B2 Networks is now working at Ford Arena and games can be viewed by clicking on the B2 icon on the left side 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, January 25 vs. the South Carolina Stingrays. Don't miss any hard-hitting Wildcatters hockey action. 2006-07 Season Tickets are still available at the pro-rated price. 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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ECHL Stories from January 22, 2007


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