Wildcatters Weekly

Published on March 26, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release


Beaumont, TX (March 26, 2007) The Texas Wildcatters continue to battle for first place in the American Conference's South Division. The Wildcatters come into this week with a record of 38-20-9 for 85 points, sitting just one point behind the first place Florida Everblades who are in town this weekend for the final regular season games this season at Ford Arena. Forward Mike Bayrack leads the Wildcatters in scoring with 75 points while Kevin Baker is number one on the team with 33 goals. Goaltender Matt Yeats is tied for third in the league with 29 wins.

This Week's Games

Friday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 31 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Florida

The first place Florida Everblades come to Southeast Texas to conclude the 2006-07 regular season home schedule. The Everblades have a record 40-20-6 for 86 points. Florida and Texas are separated by just one point for first place in the South Division. The Wildcatters have had much success this season against Florida, going 5-2-1 The last meetings occurred on December 28, 29 and 30 at Ford Arena as the 'Catters went 2-0-1 in the series. Texas won both the first and last game by a score of 4-1 and fell in a shoot out in the middle game 1-0. The Everblades are led by forward Vince Bellissimo who has 26 goals and 65 points. Goaltender Craig Kowalski has 26 wins and a 2.63 GAA. He has spent time in the NHL with Carolina as a backup this season.

Upcoming Promotions

Friday, Mar. 30 - Entergy Night and Project Graduation Night - The first 1,000 fans and 500 kids receive a novelty hardhat compliments of Entergy. Call (409) 951-5500 to find out how you can raise money for your Senior Class.

Lamar University Night with the Wildcatters - Lamar students can purchase $9 tickets at campus. Students 21 and up can receive free admission to Crockett Street that night with their Wildcatters game ticket and student ID card.

Saturday, Mar. 31 - Neches Federal Credit Union Fan Appreciation Night- The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive Wildcatters T-Shirts compliments of Neches Federal Credit Union. To Celebrate the 'Catters season, Tickets are just $5, excluding glass seats. Following the game, there will be an autograph session that will last for an hour, Limit of 3 items for autographs.

Boy Scout Night - Call (409) 951-5500 to find out how you can raise money for your Pack/Troop.

"Tip-A-Catter" Tonight, Monday, March 26

The Wildcatters trade in their skates for a good cause as they present "Tip-A-Catter" tonight. The Wildcatters players will be your celebrity waiters at Johnny Carino's on Monday, March 26 from 6-8 p.m. Tickets are just $12 and each ticket will receive one entrée. You can purchase your tickets at the Wildcatters office at Ford Park or by calling the Wildcatters at 409-951-5500. Tickets can also be purchased at the event at Johnny Carino's. All gratuities and a portion of the meal proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Galveston.

Last week - Wildcatters Sweep Series against Gwinnett

Friday, March 23 vs. Gwinnett 2-1 Win

Newest 'Catters defenseman Derick Martin scored the game winning goal in the third period and Matt Yeats made 31 saves as the Wildcatters defeated the Gwinnett Gladiators 2-1 in front of 2,105 at Ford Arena. It was a hard fought battle as both teams gained momentum throughout the contest and Texas held off some strong Gwinnett chances in the final minutes to secure the victory. Mike Bayrack scored the game's first goal on the power play 12:02 into the first period with help from defensemen Jonathan Paiement and Mike Madill to make it 1-0 Wildcatters. In the second period Gwinnett evened the score as Andy Contois on a breakaway beat Matt Yeats at the 14:05 mark. Martin gave the Wildcatters the lead for good with his first goal as a Wildcatter 4:26 into the third period. Martin shot the puck from the left point and with a screen in front of Gwinnett goaltender Dan Turple, the puck passed through for the game winning goal. Yeats earned his 28th win of the season for the Wildcatters. Dan Turple made 33 saves in the loss.

Saturday, March 24 vs. Gwinnett 4-3 Win

Olivier Proulx scored the game winning goal 2:23 into the third period and Matt Yeats made 19 saves in a relief appearance as the Wildcatters swept the home series against Gwinnett defeating the Gladiators 4-3 in front of 3,220 at Ford Arena. Proulx gave the 'Catters the lead for good as he beat Gladiators goaltender Dave Caruso top shelf from the left circle for his 26th goal of the season. The Wildcatters opened the scoring with two goals 1:32 apart in the first period as Steve Mullin and Kevin Baker converted opportunities to give Texas a 2-0 lead. Gwinnett battled back to even the score at two as Brandon Kaleniecki and Blue Bennefield netted goals for the Gladiators. In the second period, Texas regained the lead as Mike Bayrack scored his second power play goal in as many nights. It was his 32nd of the season to make it 3-2 Wildcatters. Again, Gwinnett tied the game as Kaleniecki scored his second goal of the night. Proulx had the lone goal in the third period and the Wildcatters finished the season 4-0-0 at home against Gwinnett. Matt Yeats came into the game in the second period in relief of starting goaltender Miroslav Kopriva to make 19 saves on 20 shots for the win.

Wildcatters Itinerary (All Times are Central)

Monday, Mar. 26 Day off

Tuesday, Mar. 27 Practice at Ford Arena, 10 a.m.

Wednesday, Mar. 28 Practice at Ford Arena, 10 a.m.

Thursday, Mar. 29 Practice at Ford Arena, 10 a.m.

Friday, Mar. 30 Pre-Game Skate, 10 a.m. @ Ford Arena

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

Saturday, Mar. 31 Pre-Game Skate, 10 a.m. @ Ford Arena

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

Sunday, Apr. 1 Day off

'Catters add Assistant Coach

Head Coach and Vice-President of Hockey Operations Malcolm Cameron has announced that Bill McGuigan has come on as an assistant coach for the rest of the season. McGuigan, 31, comes from Charlottetown, PEI where he has coached his hometown Abbies. He has coached in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League for five seasons. Before coaching, McGuigan played four seasons and spent time with Idaho in the WCHL. He also played with Coach Cameron with Fort Worth of the Colonial Hockey League.

Playoff Tickets

As the Wildcatters drive toward their first ever postseason appearance, playoff tickets for the 2007 Kelly Cup Playoffs are on sale now. You can purchase playoff ticket packages now by calling (409) 951-5500 or by visiting the Wildcatters office. By purchasing a playoff ticket package, you can save as much as $4 per game. Tickets start at just $11.

Season Ticket Renewals

Texas Wildcatters 2007-08 Season Tickets are on sale now!!! Current 2006-07 Season Ticket Holders renew from now until June 1st to make sure that you get your Seats for all the exciting action to come in 2007-08. After June 1st, all seats will be open to the public for sale. RENEW TODAY and get 5% off your total Season Ticket Purchase plus the chance to buy additional seats around you for the 2007-08 season. Purchase your season tickets by calling (409) 951-5500 or stopping by the Wildcatters office at Ford Arena.

Wildcatters in the Community

Monday - Happy Meal party at Price Elementary School in Beaumont at 12:30 p.m., PACK Clinic at Tyrrell Elementary School in Port Arthur sponsored by Walter Umphrey at 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday - Happy Meal party at Blanchette Elementary School in Beaumont at 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday - Happy Meal party at Travis Elementary School in Port Arthur at 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Happy Meal party at Few Primary School in Jasper at 12:30 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, March 30 vs. Florida. Don't miss any hard-hitting Wildcatters hockey action. Wildcatters' 2007-08 season tickets are now on sale. They start at just $9 per game and feature numerous benefits including free parking and discounted merchandise. It's not too late to bring out your group to see exciting Wildcatters hockey. Group Tickets and Flex Ticket Packages are 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 March 26, 2007


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