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Wildcatters Weekly

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


Phoenix, AZ (March 5, 2007) Coming off a 6-0 shut out win at Utah, the Texas Wildcatters sit just one point behind the Florida Everblades for first place in the American Conference's South Division with a record of 32-18-5-4 for 73 points. The Wildcatters went 1-2-0 last week against the Utah Grizzlies. Texas continues their second season long seven game road trip and will return home for a six game home stand on Friday, March 16 to battle Augusta. Forward Mike Bayrack leads the Wildcatters in scoring with 67 points while Kevin Baker is number one on the team with 31 goals. Goaltender Matt Yeats has started 20 consecutive games and is near the top of ECHL goaltenders with 24 wins.

This Week's Games

Tuesday, March 6 and Thursday, March 8 at Phoenix (both games at 8:11 p.m. CT)

The 'Catters visit the desert for the first time in team history to take on the Phoenix Roadrunners for two games. The Roadrunners are in third place in the National Conference's West Division with a record of 25-28-2-3 for 55 points. Texas handled Phoenix when the Roadrunners came to Southeast Texas in December. The Wildcatters defeated Phoenix in two out of the three games at Ford Arena. The last meeting occurred on December 16 when Captain Brandin Cote scored the overtime winner to beat the Roadrunners 4-3. Forward Justin Aikins leads the Roadrunners in scoring with 22 goals and 48 points. Goaltenders Mike Morrison and Cody Rudkowsky have split time between the pipes this season. Rudkowsky is coming off a 4-1 win at Las Vegas on Saturday.

Friday, March 9 and Saturday, March 10 at Las Vegas (both games at 9:05 p.m. CT)

The 'Catters conclude the road trip when they visit fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada to battle the Wranglers. Las Vegas is one of only two teams in the ECHL to have already clinched a playoff spot (other is Alaska). The Wranglers have the second most points in the league with 79 and lead the National Conference's Pacific Division with a record of 33-11-6-7. Forward Derek Edwardson leads the Wranglers in scoring with 36 assists and 55 points. All-Star Goaltender Mike McKenna leads the ECHL with a 2.12 GAA and a 0.933 SV%. He has a record of 18-3-2-4.

Upcoming Promotions

Friday, Mar. 16 and Saturday, Mar. 17 - Clean Sweep the Lynx - Receive $5 off your ticket price with the donation of a cleaning supply when the 'Catters take on the Augusta Lynx. You can see the approved Ronald McDonald House list at www.wildcattershockey.com.

Saturday, Mar. 17 - Burger King Night

Friday, Mar. 23 - Time Warner Night

Saturday, Mar. 24 - Knock the Socks Off the Gladiators - Receive $5 off your ticket price with the donation of a NEW package of socks or other gently used clothing items benefiting the Ronald McDonald House. The Bridge City Strutters from Bridge City High School will be performing at the game.

Friday, Mar. 30 - Entergy Night and Project Graduation Night - Call (409) 951-5500 to find out how you can raise money for your Senior Class.

Saturday, Mar. 31 - Neches Federal Credit Union Night and Boy Scout Night - The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive Wildcatters T-Shirts compliments of Neches Federal Credit Union. Call (409) 951-5500 to find out how you can raise money for your Pack/Troop.

Fridays are Student Night with the Wildcatters - High School and College students can purchase tickets for just $10 with their student ID cards (excluding glass seats).

Last week - Wildcatters First trip to Utah ends on a High Note

Wednesday, February 28 at Utah 5-3 Loss

Brendan Cook, Travis Rycroft and Joel Irving scored goals in a span of one minute and 19 seconds to defeat the Wildcatters 5-3 in front of 3,541 at The E Center. Mike Bayrack gave the 'Catters a 1-0 lead in the first period as he scored the first of his two goals on the evening with a backhanded shot beating Utah goaltender Rob McVicar. The Grizzlies evened the score at one as Andy Sertich's shot from the point beat 'Catters goalie Matt Yeats. Utah scored three goals quick goals in the second, but the 'Catters chipped away at the lead as Leon Hayward netted his 12th goal of the season and it was 4-2 Utah after two periods. Bayrack scored his second of the night and 27th of the year 10:27 into the third period from Mike Madill and Brandin Cote. Utah scored an empty netter and went on for the win.

Friday, March 2 at Utah 6-2 Loss

Bill Kinkel and Jimmie Kraft scored two goals each as the Utah Grizzlies won their second straight, defeating the Wildcatters 6-2 in front of 4,210 at The E Center. Colin Nicholson and Kevin Baker scored for Texas as each team rotated goals through the first period and into the second. Utah took control at the 5:32 mark of period number two as Jimmie Kraft scored the first of his two on the evening to give Utah a one goal lead. Then Bill Kinkel beat goaltender Matt Yeats with a one timer from right in front of the net to put Utah ahead 4-2 after two periods. D.J. Jelitto and Kraft added third period goals to give the Grizzlies their second win in a row and hand the Wildcatters their fourth consecutive loss.

Saturday, March 3 at Utah 6-0 shut out WIN

Kevin Baker and Mike Madill each had a goal and two assists and Matt Yeats stopped all 12 Grizzlies shots as the Wildcatters ended their four game losing streak with a convincing 6-0 shut out win over Utah in front of 4,207 at The E Center. Kevin Baker started the scoring in the first period as he beat Grizzlies net minder Rob McVicar with a shot to the top left of the net for his team leading 31st goal of the season. In the second period, the Wildcatters went up 2-0 as Mark Rooneem scored on the power play with a feed from Olivier Proulx. The third period saw four 'Catters goals and five fights. Mike Madill scored 1:07 into the final frame. Then 26 seconds later Leon Hayward made it 4-0 with help from Colin Nicholson. Midway through the period, Daniel Sparre beat McVicar to continue the 'Catters domination. Mike Bayrack finished up the scoring for Texas with a power play goal. The Wildcatters out shot Utah 13 to 4 in each period for a total of 39 to 12.

Wildcatters Itinerary (All Times are Central)

Monday, Mar. 5 Practice at Alltel Ice Den in Scottsdale, AZ, 11 a.m.

Tuesday, Mar. 6 Pre-Game Skate, 12:15 p.m. @ USAirways Center

GAME at Phoenix, 8:11 p.m. @ USAirways Center

Wednesday, Mar. 7 Practice at Alltel Ice Den in Scottsdale, AZ, 11 a.m.

Thursday, Mar. 8 Pre-Game Skate, 12:15 p.m. @ USAirways Center

GAME at Phoenix, 8:11 p.m. @ USAirways Center

Friday, Mar. 9 GAME at Las Vegas, 9:05 p.m. @ Orleans Arena

Saturday, Mar. 10 Pre-Game Skate, 1:15 p.m. @ Orleans Arena

GAME at Las Vegas, 9:05 p.m. @ Orleans Arena

Sunday, Mar. 11 Day off

Future Home Games at Ford Arena

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

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

Friday, Mar. 23 vs. Gwinnett, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Mar. 24 vs. Gwinnett, 7:05 p.m.

Friday, Mar. 30 vs. Florida, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Mar. 31 vs. Florida, 7:05 p.m.

Roster Moves

Forward Alex Leavitt was reassigned by AHL Houston to AHL San Antonio.

Defenseman James Sanford was called up to AHL Milwaukee.

Goaltender Miroslav Kopriva was recalled to NHL Minnesota and then was returned back to AHL Houston.

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, March 16 vs. Augusta. 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.



ECHL Stories from March 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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