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Wildcatters Weekly

February 12, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release


Columbia, SC (February 12, 2007) The Texas Wildcatters are tied for first place with Gwinnett in the American Conference's South Division. The 'Catters are 27-14-4-4 with 62 points. Texas is currently 2-2-0 on their five game road trip. Forward Mike Bayrack leads the Wildcatters with 21 goals and 53 points while goaltender Matt Yeats is near the top of ECHL goaltenders with 19 wins.

This Week's Games

Tuesday, February 13 at Columbia, 6:05 p.m. CT

The Wildcatters' five game road trip concludes as they take on the Columbia Inferno. Texas has won both meetings in Columbia this season and is 2-2-1 overall against the Inferno. Columbia is led by forward Jeff Miles who has 43 points.

Friday, February 16 at 7:30 p.m. CT, Saturday, February 17 at 2:05 p.m. CT and Sunday, February 18 at 2:05 p.m. CT vs. Pensacola

The 'Catters return home for a six game home stand as division rival, Pensacola comes to Southeast Texas for the final time this season. The Wildcatters are 6-2-0 against the Ice Pilots this season and have won both games played at Ford Arena. Rookie All-Star Rob Rankin has 31 points for the Ice Pilots this year.

Last week - Wildcatters Move into Tie for First Place

Tuesday, February 6 at Pensacola 6-2 Win

Marco Rosa scored two power play goals including the game winner as the Wildcatters pounded Pensacola 6-2 in front of 2,072 at the Pensacola Civic Center. Rosa scored what would be the eventual game winner 35 seconds into the second period beating starting goaltender Evan Lindsay to make it 3-1 Catters. He added the 'Catters final goal of the game to finish off the Ice Pilots. Pensacola would get on the board first as Travis Lisabeth netted his 12th of the year midway through the first period. Then the 'Catters took over. Kevin Baker continues his hot streak as well with his 25th goal of the year, shorthanded, to tie the game at one. Baker came in on the right wing side, putting a shot on Lindsay who made the save, but Lindsay was so far out of position that Baker took the rebound and fired it from a tough angle. Just 55 seconds later, Leon Hayward scored his 9th of the season throwing a shot towards the net from almost the same spot. After Rosa's goal, Keith MCWilliams netted his first of the season and the 'Catters led it 4 to 1. That would do it for Lindsay as Michael Mole came in to replace him. Mike Bayrack and Rosa added power play goals as the 'Catters went on for the 6-2 win. Bayrack had three assists in the game. Matt Yeats made 23 saves for his 18th win. Jeff State played in his first game for the Wildcatters on defense and fought Pensacola's Jason Goulet 1:34 into the second period. The 'Catters went 3 for 12 on the power play while killing off eight of nine Pensacola power plays.

Friday, February 9 at Gwinnett 4-2 Loss

Gladiators forward Colton Fretter registered his second career hat trick as Gwinnett beat the Wildcatters (26-13-4-4) 4-2 in front of 4,673 at The Arena at Gwinnett Center. Fretter leads all rookies in scoring and scored the last three goals of the game to give the Gladiators the lead back after trailing 2-1 and put them ahead for good. Gwinnett took a 1-0 lead in the first period as Joel Stepp fired a shot from the slot. Texas answered as just two minutes later; Olivier Proulx tied the game at one with an amazing solo effort shorthanded. Proulx took the pass from Leon Hayward and marched down the ice, combating four Gwinnett defenders. From behind the net, he threw it towards the crease and it went off of Gwinnett's defense to even the score. The 'Catters took their first lead of the game when Paul Albers hammered home a rebound for his 10th goal of the season to make it 2-1. After that, Gwinnett took over and Fretter scored three times to help Gwinnett to the 4-2 win. 'Catters goalie Matt Yeats made some big third period saves as Texas killed off several Gwinnett power plays. In all, Yeats made 28 saves in the loss. Leon Hayward added two assists in the loss. Gwinnett out shot Texas 32 to 28. There were just 10 shots between the two teams in the first period with the 'Catters having four.

Saturday, February 10 at Charlotte 6-3 WIN

Former Checkers Daniel Sparre and Mike Bayrack scored goals for the Wildcatters as Texas went on for a 6-3 victory in front of 11,237 at Charlotte Bobcats Arena. Sparre beat goaltender Chris Holt for the game's first goal with a shot from the left wing side just 1:01 into the contest. Then, Mark Rooneem split the Charlotte defense and beat Holt to give Texas a 2-0 lead. The 'Catters continued their scoring output in the second period as Olivier Proulx banged home a rebound from the side of the net to make it 3-0 Texas. Charlotte got on the board as Hugh Jessiman beat 'Catters goalie Matt Yeats on the power play to make it 3-1. The 'Catters responded just 56 second later as Bayrack directed a shot from the left wing side on net and it was all Texas 4-1. Alex Leavitt made it 5-1 with on a deflection in front of the net with just 27 seconds left in the period. Kevin Baker rounded out the Wildcatters scoring with his 26th goal of the year 5:15 into the third period. It was a power play goal for Baker, his 15th of the season on the man advantage. Charlotte would add two late goals, but the 'Catters went on for the 6-3 win. Matt Yeats was strong in net again for Texas making 36 saves.

Sunday, February 11 at South Carolina 3-0 Loss

Davis Parley made 36 saves for the Stingrays as South Carolina capitalized on power plays and defeated the Wildcatters 3-0 in front of 3,297 at the North Charleston Coliseum. The teams played a scoreless first period, and then South Carolina scored three power play goals in the second. The Stingrays scored 1:48 into the period as T.J. McElroy netted his fifth goal of the season with a shot from the point. Then, Chris Chaput made it 2-0 with his 15th goal of the season. Stingrays' captain Cail MacLean finished the scoring as he made it 3-0, scoring his 18th goal of the year. The 'Catters had several good opportunities to score, but could not get the puck past the South Carolina netminder. That would be all South Carolina would need as Davis Parley made 36 saves against his old team for the shut out win. Matt Yeats made 33 saves for the Wildcatters in the loss. Texas went 0 for 7 on the power play while South Carolina finished the game 3 for 12.

Wildcatters Itinerary (All Times are Central)

Monday, Feb. 12 Travel Day to Columbia

Tuesday, Feb. 13 Pre-Game Skate, 10:15 a.m. @ Carolina Coliseum

GAME at Columbia, 6:05 p.m. @ Carolina Coliseum

Wednesday, Feb. 14 Back Home to Southeast Texas

Thursday, Feb. 15 Practice at Ford Arena, noon

Friday, Feb. 16 Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Ford Arena

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

Saturday, Feb. 17 GAME vs. Pensacola, 2:05 p.m. @ Ford Arena

Sunday, Feb. 18 GAME vs. Pensacola, 2:05 p.m. @ Ford Arena

Upcoming Promotions

Friday, Feb. 16-18 - Mardi Gras Weekend Ticket Specials - The Wildcatters are celebrating Mardi Gras Weekend by offering fans ticket specials all weekend long. Get your tickets for any of the three games vs. Pensacola for just $8. Tickets for children 12 and under are just $5. The special is for any seats in Ford Arena, including glass seats. Tickets can be purchased at the Ford Park Box Office, through the Wildcatters office at (409) 951-5500 or by logging onto ticketmaster.com.

Season Ticket Holders get an EXCLUSIVE ticket special. Tickets for our valued season ticket holders are just $5 per person for any seat in Ford Arena, including glass seats for this weekend's games vs. Pensacola. Proof is required and can include a past or future season ticket. The special deal is available through the Wildcatters office or through the Ford Park Box Office.

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

Girl Scout and Boy Scout Day - Discounted tickets for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. These tickets must be purchased through the Wildcatters office. Contact the Wildcatters at (409) 951-5500.

Sunday, Feb. 18 - Autograph Session and Kids and Family Day - The entire Wildcatters team will be signing autographs following the game.

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 12, 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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