Wildcatters Weekly

January 29, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release


Beaumont, TX (January 29, 2007) The Texas Wildcatters are now tied for first place in the American Conference's South Division. The 'Catters are 24-12-3-3 with 54 points, tied with Gwinnett for first. Forward Mike Bayrack leads the Wildcatters with 17 goals and 42 points while goaltender Matt Yeats is first among 'Catters goalies with 16 wins.

This Week's Games

Thursday, February 1 at 7:05 p.m., Friday, February 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, February 3 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Long Beach

The Wildcatters continue their seven game home stand as they host Head Coach Malcolm Cameron's former team in the Long Beach Ice Dogs. Long Beach plays in the National Conference's Pacific Division and currently has 13 wins coming into Southeast Texas. The Ice Dogs are led by forward Ash Goldie who has 15 goals and 35 points. Mike Brown and Brett Jaeger who came over from Augusta earlier in the season split time in goal.

Last week - 'Catters Move Back into Top of South Division

Thursday, January 25 vs. South Carolina 6-2 Loss

In his return back to Southeast Texas, Davis Parley made 47 saves and South Carolina scored six times in a 6-2 win over the Wildcatters in front of 1,250 at Ford Arena. Texas fired 38 shots in the final two periods but could only muster two scores after giving South Carolina a 4-0 lead. The Stingrays opened the scoring 5:05 into the first period as Matt Reid netted his 16th goal of the season. South Carolina would score twice in a span of 40 seconds to lead 3-0 after one period. Donny Grover made it 4-0 after two periods. The 'Catters got on the board in the third period as Brandin Cote and Olivier Proulx lit the lamp, but it wasn't enough as the Stingrays scored two goals and went on for a 6-2 win.

Friday, January 26 vs. South Carolina 6-3 Win

Defenseman James Sanford scored a goal and added two assists in his first game in a Wildcatters uniform as Texas defeated South Carolina 6-3 in front of 3,086 at Ford Arena. The Wildcatters came out firing on all cylinders with 20 first period shots and Brandin Cote scored a power play goal, his 19th of the season to give Texas a 1-0 lead after one period. Just two minutes into the second, Kevin Baker and Olivier Proulx scored just 27 seconds apart to put Texas up 3-0. Both goals were deflected in on shots from the point by James Sanford. Texas would take a 4-2 lead into the third period as Alex Leavitt netted his sixth goal of the season. Sanford would add to his three point night, scoring his first goal in his first game as a Wildcatter 11 minutes into the third and Marco Rosa closed the door with an empty net goal to give the 'Catters a 6-3 win. Goaltender Matt Yeats made 37 saves in the victory.

Saturday, January 27 vs. South Carolina 4-3 Shoot out Loss

The Wildcatters rallied with two third period goals to take their first lead of the game, but lost in overtime 4-3 to South Carolina in front 2,850 at Ford Arena. Defenseman Donny Grover scored a power play goal from the point 31 seconds into overtime to give the Stingrays the win. Marco Rosa and Mike Bayrack scored three minutes apart to give the 'Catters a 3-2 lead with 11 minutes remaining in the game. The Stingrays would tie things up at three as Matt Stefanishion scored his second goal of the night with a shot from the right wing circle forcing the overtime. 'Catters goaltender Matt Yeats who allowed the game's first two goals in the first period made 46 saves to keep the Wildcatters within reaching distance of South Carolina. Texas trailed 2-0 after the first period and fought back as Mike Madill scored a power play goal midway through the second period to cut the lead to 2-1. Rosa scored his 18th goal of the season and Bayrack, his 17th, but it wasn't enough as the Stingrays answered Texas' rally, winning in overtime 4-3.

Wildcatters Itinerary (All Times are Central)

Monday, Jan. 29 Practice at Ford Arena, 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 30 Practice at Ford Arena, 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 31 Practice at Ford Arena, 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, Feb. 1 Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Ford Arena

GAME vs. Long Beach, 7:05 p.m. @ Ford Arena

Friday, Feb. 2 Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Ford Arena

GAME vs. Long Beach, 7:30 p.m. @ Ford Arena

Saturday, Feb. 3 Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Ford Arena

GAME vs. Long Beach, 7:05 p.m. @ Ford Arena

Sunday, Feb. 4 Day Off

Upcoming Promotions

Thursday, Feb. 1 - Buddy Night - Bring your buddy to see the 'Catters. Buy one ticket and get the second for half off.

Friday, Feb. 2 - Aggie Night - Enjoy a night of Texas A&M themed fun! Former Football Coach R.C. Slocum will be on hand for the evening and will drop the puck. There will be an Aggie hockey jersey auction. Also, there will be an appearance by the Ross Volunteers who will be presenting the colors during the National Anthem sung by Century singer Justin Partlow.

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

Saturday, Feb. 3 - Lloyd's RV/Texas Lottery Night - Texas Lottery will be giving away 750 scratch ticket games. The first 2,250 adult fans will have a chance to win one of 750 scratches from Texas Lottery through an intermission contest. Come early to ensure a chance to win CASH!

Wildcatters in the Community

Tuesday, Jan. 23 - Habitat for Humanity Construction of a new home and Guess Elementary School Player/Coach Appearance

Future Home Games at Ford Arena

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.

Friday, Feb. 16 vs. Pensacola, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 17 vs. Pensacola, 2:05 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 18 vs. Pensacola, 2:05 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.

Rosa is Third Wildcatter this season to earn ECHL Player of the Week

With six goals and two assists, Marco Rosa was named In Glas Co ECHL Player of the Week for the week of Jan. 15-21. Rosa joins Kevin Baker and Olivier Proulx as Wildcatters who have been honored with the Player of the Week award.

Chili for Charity a Huge Success

Friday's first annual Wildcatters Chili for Charity Cook off and tail gate extravaganza proved to be a huge success, raising $825 for charity. The 'Catters spiced things up as local groups and businesses competed for bragging rights to the best chili in Southeast Texas. There were over 30 different kinds of chili to taste. The winner designated the charity that would benefit from the funds raised. The overall winner for best chili was the Medical Center of Southeast Texas who chose the American Heart Association as their charity. The Medical Center also had the opportunity to drop the puck during Friday's game.

In addition to the best overall chili award, there were several other awards.

Fan Favorite Chili - YP One

Meatiest Chili - Cumulus

Wildcatter-est Chili - Southeast Texas EMS

Hottest Chili - Goodyear

Chili most likely to give you heartburn - AT&T

Wimpiest Chili - MHC Datacomm

Best Showmanship - Paradise Golf Rentals and Associates

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, February 1 vs. the Long Beach Ice Dogs. 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.



ECHL Stories from January 29, 2007


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