Wildcatters Weekly

Published on February 19, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release


Beaumont, TX (February 19, 2007) The Texas Wildcatters are number one in the American Conference with a record of 30-14-5-4 for 69 points. Texas finished last week with a record of 3-0-1, defeating Columbia on the road then returning home to take five out of a possible six points against Pensacola. Forward Mike Bayrack leads the Wildcatters with 25 goals and 61 points while goaltender Matt Yeats is near the top of ECHL goaltenders with 21 wins. Bayrack, Marco Rosa and Kevin Baker have been red hot as the three combined for 9 goals and 17 assists in four games last week.

This Week's Games

Friday, February 23 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, February 24 at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday, February 25 at 2:05 p.m. vs. Stockton

The 'Catters continue the six game home stand this weekend when they host the National Conference's Stockton Thunder. This is the first ever meeting between the Wildcatters and the Thunder. The Thunder comes in to Southeast Texas with a record of 21-16-5-5. They are currently fourth in the Pacific Division with 52 points. Mike Lalonde leads Stockton with 22 goals and 23 assists. In goal, rookie All-Star Devan Dubnyk has a 2.72 GAA and a 0.915 save percentage in 27 games. In their inaugural season last year, Stockton led the ECHL in attendance and is currently first in the league this season.

Upcoming Promotions

Friday, Feb. 23 - Student Friday - High School and College students can purchase tickets for just $10 with their student ID cards.

Saturday, Feb. 24 - Children's Miracle Network Fundraiser Night - The 'Catters are teaming up with the Children's Miracle Network for CMN Night. Tickets are just $10 and half of the ticket proceeds will be donated to the Children's Miracle Network. These tickets must be purchased by Wednesday. Call the Wildcatters office at (409) 951-5500 for more information.

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

Mentos "The Fresh maker" Promotion - The first 1,000 fans will receive free Mentos candy, the chewy mint on Sunday, and will have opportunities to take photos with Mentos "Sky Dancers."

Last week - Wildcatters finish week 3-0-1, sit atop American Conference

Tuesday, February 13 at Columbia 4-2 Win

Marco Rosa scored the game winning goal and Matt Yeats made 25 saves as the Wildcatters finished up their five game road trip on a high note, defeating Columbia 4-2 in front of 2,291 at the Carolina Coliseum. Jason Beeman, Jeff State and Olivier Proulx also scored goals for Texas who concluded the five game road trip with a 3-2-0 record. Texas held Columbia to just four power plays and didn't take a third period penalty.

Friday, February 16 vs. Pensacola 5-4 OT Loss

Mike Bayrack scored with 25.9 seconds left to force overtime for the Wildcatters, but Jesse Baraniuk scored the overtime game winner as Pensacola defeated the Wildcatters 5-4 in front of 1,808 at Ford Arena. Baraniuk who also had two assists beat Wildcatters goaltender Matt Yeats from the top of the left circle 3:28 into overtime. Texas trailed 4-2 heading into the third period, but Keith MCWilliams fired a shot from just inside the blue line 45 seconds in to cut the lead to one. Bayrack scored two power play goals, including the late goal in the third period to help the 'Catters force overtime and earn a point.

Saturday, February 17 vs. Pensacola 7-3 WIN

Mike Bayrack, Kevin Baker and Alex Leavitt each had two goals as the Wildcatters scored a total of seven times in a 7-3 drubbing of Pensacola in front of 1,866 at Ford Arena. James Sanford also scored and Marco Rosa added four assists as the Wildcatters tied their season high with seven goals. Matt Yeats made 24 saves for his 21st win of the season.

Sunday, February 18 vs. Pensacola 4-2 WIN

The Wildcatters came all the way back with four third period goals to defeat the Pensacola Ice Pilots 4-2 in front of 1,792 at Ford Arena. Texas trailed 2-0 after two periods, but awoke in the third as Kevin Baker, Paul Albers and Olivier Proulx scored to give Texas their first lead of the game. Baker added an empty netter to complete the comeback. The Wildcatters earned their first lead of the afternoon as Olivier Proulx came from behind the Pensacola net and put a spectacular backhanded shot past Ice Pilots' goaltender Evan Lindsay to make it 3-2 Texas. Baker added an empty net goal, his 30th goal of the season and the Wildcatters won 4-2. Matt Yeats made 26 saves in net for the Wildcatters. The 'Catters finished the 11 game series against Pensacola with an 8-2-1 record and went unbeaten in regulation at home, going 4-0-1.

Wildcatters Itinerary (All Times are Central)

Monday, Feb. 19 Day Off

Tuesday, Feb. 20 Day Off

Wednesday, Feb. 21 Practice at Ford Arena, 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, Feb. 22 Practice at Ford Arena, 10:00 a.m.

Friday, Feb. 23 Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Ford Arena

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

Saturday, Feb. 24 Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Ford Arena

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

Sunday, Feb. 25 GAME vs. Stockton, 2:05 p.m. @ Ford Arena

Future Home Games at Ford Arena

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.

Friday, Mar. 16 vs. Augusta, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Mar. 17 vs. Augusta, 7:05 p.m.

Wildcatters in the Community

Monday, Feb. 19 - Ronald McDonald House in Galveston - Wildcatters players will be visiting children who are hospitalized in Galveston.

Tuesday, Feb. 20 - Lloyd's RV Appearance - Wildcatters players will greet customers at Lloyd's RV in Orange.

Thursday, Feb. 22 - Collier Park Visit - The Wildcatters will visit the retirement and assisted living community, introducing the game of hockey to residents.

DeQueen Elementary P.A.C.K. Clinic - The 'Catters will be conducting a street hockey clinic to teach the youth in Port Arthur.

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 23 vs. the Stockton Thunder. 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. Group Tickets and 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.

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ECHL Stories from February 19, 2007


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