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Wildcatters Weekly

February 5, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release


Pensacola, FL (February 5, 2007) After earning points in five consecutive games, the Texas Wildcatters are just one point behind first place Gwinnett in the American Conference's South Division. The 'Catters are 25-12-4-4 with 58 points. The Wildcatters finished their seven game home stand with a record of 3-1-3. Forward Mike Bayrack leads the Wildcatters with 19 goals and 47 points while goaltender Matt Yeats is first among 'Catters goalies with 17 wins.

This Week's Games

Tuesday, February 6 at Pensacola, 7:05 p.m. CT

The Wildcatters begin a five game road trip as they head to Pensacola for the final time this season to take on the Ice Pilots. Texas is 5-2-0 against Pensacola this season and is 3-2-0 on the road at the Pensacola Civic Center. The Ice Pilots are currently in last place in the South Division. They are led by forward Mike Wirll who has 31 goals and 49 points. He is second in the league in goal scoring.

Friday, February 9 at Gwinnett, 6:35 p.m. CT

The second game of the road trip takes the 'Catters to Duluth, GA to face the Gladiators. The 'Catters have a 3-2-0 record against Gwinnett and have one won and lost two games in Duluth this season. The Gladiators are led by the top two leading scorers in the ECHL. Forwards Brad Schell and Scott Mifsud have 88 and 67 points respectively. Gwinnett has scored the most goals in the ECHL.

Saturday, February 10 at Charlotte, 6:30 p.m. CT

Texas heads to Charlotte to take on the Checkers. The 'Catters are 2-1-1 against Charlotte this season. In the 'Catters only visit so far to Charlotte, they scored two late third period goals to rally and earn a point in a 4-3 overtime loss. The Checkers are led by Blake Bellefeuille who has 16 goals and 36 points.

Sunday, February 11 at South Carolina, 3:00 p.m. CT

The 'Catters play three games in three days when they visit North Charleston, SC to battle the Stingrays. The Wildcatters have a 3-1-1 record against the Stingrays this season. Texas won both meetings in South Carolina back in November. The Stingrays are led by Matt Reid and Evan Schwabe who each have 42 points. Former Wildcatters goalie Davis Parley backstops the pipes for South Carolina and leads the ECHL with 22 wins.

Last week - 'Catters Stay Unbeaten in Regulation, Streak Now at Five

Thursday, February 1 vs. Long Beach 4-3 SO Loss

The Wildcatters rallied, scoring three goals in the last seven and a half minutes of the third period to force overtime, but fell in a shootout to Long Beach 4-3 in front of 1,130 at Ford Arena. Jason Beeman scored his seventh goal of the year at 12:32 of the third period to get the 'Catters on the board. Then, Marco Rosa deflected a shot into the net from James Sanford and Mike Madill to make it 3-2. Rosa would bring the Wildcatters all the way back with a spectacular shot from his knees to tie the game at three. It was a shorthanded goal and Rosa's 20th of the season. In the end, a shootout would decide the winner and Long Beach scored three times compared to Brandin Cote's lone goal for the Wildcatters and won 4-3. Long Beach had a 3-0 advantage scoring a goal in each period. Gabriel Proulx, Chris Collins and Ash Goldie put the Ice Dogs ahead before Texas made the comeback. Matt Yeats made 47 saves in the game for the 'Catters.

Friday, February 2 vs. Long Beach 6-5 OT Loss

Mike Bayrack and Kevin Baker each scored two goals for the Wildcatters, but in the end, Ash Goldie netted the game winning goal with just 4.4 seconds left in overtime to give Long Beach the win 6-5 in front of 1,741 at Ford Arena. The game went back and forth for three periods as neither team could take control of the game. Mark Hurtubise scored the game's first goal on the power play 2:57 in. Bayrack would quickly tie the game 23 seconds later at one. Bo Cheesman opened the second period scoring to make it 2 to 1 Long Beach. Then, Kevin Baker answered for the Wildcatters with back to back goals six minutes apart. The second came from Leon Hayward on a gorgeous pass for the one timer and Texas led 3 to 2. Again, the Ice Dogs marched back to take a 4 to 3 lead on goals by Chris Collins and Hurtubise. The 'Catters weren't done as Marco Rosa scored shorthanded and Mike Bayrack scored on the power play to give the 'Catters the lead back at 5-4 after two periods. With a shot from the right wing circle, Alexei Smirnov tied the game up 2:30 into the third period. The two teams played even for over 20 minutes before Ash Goldie won the game in overtime for Long Beach.

Saturday, February 3 vs. Long Beach 3-2 WIN

Kevin Baker scored two goals including the game winner as the Wildcatters defeated the Long Beach Ice Dogs 3-2 in front of 2,122 at Ford Arena. Baker scored both goals on the power play. The first came just 48 seconds into the second period from Rosa and Sanford to put the 'Catters up 2-1. Then with 1:22 left in the second, Baker scored his second of the night and 24th of the season from Sanford and Leavitt to make 3-1 Texas. James Sanford chipped in with two assists and goaltender Matt Yeats made 28 saves. Marco Rosa scored the game's first goal, his 22nd of the season from Baker and Mike Bayrack to give the 'Catters a 1-0 lead. Long Beach tied the game in the first on a goal from Alexei Smirnov. The Ice Dogs cut the lead to 3-2, but the 'Catters killed off some key Long Beach power plays in the third and held on for the win.

Wildcatters Itinerary (All Times are Central)

Monday, Feb. 5 Travel Day to Pensacola

Tuesday, Feb. 6 Pre-Game Skate, 10:15 a.m. @ Pensacola Civic Center

GAME at Pensacola, 7:05 p.m. @ Pensacola Civic Center

Wednesday, Feb. 7 Travel Day to Gwinnett

Thursday, Feb. 8 Practice, 11:00 a.m. @ The Arena at Gwinnett Center

Friday, Feb. 9 Pre-Game Skate, 10:15 a.m. @ The Arena at Gwinnett Center

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

Saturday, Feb. 10 Pre-Game Skate, 10:15 a.m. @ Charlotte Bobcats Arena

GAME at Charlotte, 6:30 p.m. @ Charlotte Bobcats Arena

Sunday, Feb. 11 GAME at South Carolina, 3:00 @ North Charleston Coliseum

Upcoming Promotions

Friday, Feb. 16 - Student Friday - High School and college students can purchase $10 tickets (excluding glass seats) with presentation of their school I.D.

Saturday, Feb. 17 - King Bobblehead Giveaway - Burger King will be giving away King Bobbleheads on Saturday afternoon's game.

Sunday, Feb. 18 - Autograph Session and Kids and Family Day - The entire Wildcatters team will be signing autographs following the game. Tickets for Kids 12 and under are just $5. Sundays are a great day to bring out the family to see exciting Wildcatters hockey.

Sunday, Feb. 25 - Autograph Session and Skate with the Players - The whole Wildcatters team will once again be signing autographs following the game and after the autograph session, fans will be able to skate with the Wildcatters. It is Bring your own skate day. Also, tickets for kids 12 and under are just $5

Future Home Games at Ford Arena

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.

Friday, Feb. 23 vs. Stockton, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 24 vs. Stockton, 7:05 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 25 vs. Stockton, 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.

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 Friday, February 16 vs. the Pensacola Ice Pilots. Don't miss any hard-hitting Wildcatters hockey action. Wildcatters' season tickets start at just $9 per game and feature numerous benefits including free parking and discounted merchandise. Flex Ticket Packages are available and 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 February 5, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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