Wildcatters Weekly

April 24, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release


Estero, FL (April 24, 2007) The Texas Wildcatters are in the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the first time in team history. Texas won their first ever playoff series, defeating the Gwinnett Gladiators three games to one in the best of five South Division Semifinals. The 'Catters now face the Florida Everblades in the best of seven South Division Finals.

The schedule for the South Division Finals between the Wildcatters (2nd Seed) and the Florida Everblades (1st Seed) is as follows:

Game 1: Tuesday, April 24, 6:30 p.m. CT @ Florida, Germain Arena

Game 2: Wednesday, April 25, 6:30 p.m. CT @ Florida, Germain Arena

Game 3: Friday, April 27, 7:30 p.m. CT @ Texas, Ford Arena

Game 4: Saturday, April 28, 7:00 p.m. CT @ Texas, Ford Arena

Game 5: Monday, April 30, 7:00 p.m. CT @ Texas, Ford Arena *

Game 6: Friday, May 4, 6:30 p.m. CT @ Florida, Germain Arena *

Game 7: Saturday, May 5, 6:30 p.m. CT @ Florida, Germain Arena *

(* if necessary)

Upcoming Promotions

Saturday, Apr. 28 at 7:00 p.m. (Game 4) - The first 1,000 fans receive Playoff Rally Towels, compliments of Sabrina's Women's Clothing

'Catter Crazy for the Playoffs - Buy Playoff Tickets NOW

The Wildcatters will represent Southeast Texas in the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the first time in team history. Playoff Ticket Packages are on sale by calling the Wildcatters at (409) 951-5500. Tickets start at just $11 per game and you can save as much as $4 per game by purchasing a package.

Single game tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster. You can purchase single game tickets from Ticketmaster by calling (409) 833-7747, logging on to ticketmaster.com or by visiting the Ford Park Box Office.

This Week's Games

Tuesday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. CT, Wednesday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. CT at Florida

Friday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. CT and Saturday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m. CT vs. Florida

The Wildcatters renew their rivalry with the Florida Everblades as the two teams battle for the South Division Finals. Texas and Florida have met a total of 10 times this season with the 'Catters holding the advantage with a 7-2-1 record. The Wildcatters are 4-0-1 at Ford Arena this season against Florida while 3-2-0 on the road. The last meeting came on March 31 which was the final home regular season game. The Wildcatters won 4-1. Florida is led by forward Vince Bellissimo and goaltender Craig Kowalski.

Last week - Wildcatters Win First Playoff Series and Advance to Division Finals

Wednesday, April 18 vs. Gwinnett 5-4 OT Win (Game 3)

Daniel Sparre scored the game winning goal at 7:02 of overtime as the Wildcatters took a 2-1 series lead with a 5-4 win over Gwinnett in front of 1,650 at the first ever playoff game at Ford Arena. The 'Catters dominated the first two periods, but Gwinnett dominated the third period and rallied from a three goal deficit to force overtime. Texas took a 2-0 lead into the second period as Olivier Proulx and Kevin Baker scored goals. Paul Albers who had assists on the first two 'Catters goals netted a goal for himself just 26 seconds into the second period to make it 3-0 Wildcatters. Gwinnett got on the board as John Awe fired a slap shot at the 14:03 mark, but Texas responded as Daniel Sparre made it 4-1 with just 1:03 left in the second period. Gwinnett came out a different team in the third period and scored twice in a span of under two minutes. Colton Fretter and Mike Vigilante cut the lead as Gwinnett only trailed by one. The Gladiators were held scoreless on the power play until they capitalized on a 5 on 3 at 12:58 of the third period as Colton Fretter netted his second goal of the night and Gwinnett came all the way back to tie the game. The two teams went back and forth in overtime until Kevin Baker fed Sparre and he beat goaltender Dan Turple to send the Wildcatters home winners. Danny Taylor made 25 saves for the win. Texas finished the game 1 for 4 on the power play while Gwinnett went 1 for 7. The 'Catters out shot Gwinnett 43-29.

Saturday, April 20 vs. Gwinnett 2-1 OT Win (Game 4)

Ben Thomson scored the game winning goal at 19:31 of the first overtime to send the Wildcatters to the South Division Finals as Texas beat Gwinnett 2-1 in front of 2,284 at Ford Arena. The Wildcatters defeated the Gwinnett Gladiators three games to one in the best of five South Division Semifinals and will face the Florida Everblades in the best of seven South Division Finals. The two teams played a scoreless 40 minutes until Kevin Baker lit the lamp for his third goal of the playoffs. Baker netted a power play tally 6:17 into the third period to give the 'Catters a 1-0 lead. Andy Contois answered for Gwinnett at 16:02 of the third period to even the score. For the second straight time, the game would move to overtime. With just 29 seconds remaining in the first overtime Ben Thomson beat Dave Caruso on the right wing side to send the 'Catters to the next round. Danny Taylor made 38 saves for the Wildcatters in the win while Dave Caruso made 48 saves in the defeat. Gwinnett finished 0 for 5 on the power play while the Wildcatters went 1 for 7.

Wildcatters Itinerary (All Times are Central)

Monday, Apr. 23 Practice at Germain Arena, 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, Apr. 24 Pre-Game Skate, 10:15 a.m. @ Germain Arena

GAME 1 at Florida, 6:30 p.m. @ Germain Arena

Wednesday, Apr. 25 Pre-Game Skate, 10:15 a.m. @ Germain Arena

GAME 2 at Florida, 6:30 p.m. @ Germain Arena

Thursday, Apr. 26 Travel Day Home

Friday, Apr. 27 Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Ford Arena

GAME 3 vs. Florida, 7:30 p.m. @ Ford Arena

Saturday, Apr. 28 Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Ford Arena

GAME 4 vs. Florida, 7:00 p.m. @ Ford Arena

Sunday, Apr. 29 Day Off

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 on the Air

Join the "Voice of the Wildcatters" Anthony Langella, Jr. for all the play-by-play action on the Texas Wildcatters Hockey Network. The Wildcatters Warm-up show will begin 20 minutes prior to the opening face-off. You can 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 Kelly Cup Playoffs are in Southeast Texas for the first time in history. The next Wildcatters home games will be Friday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 28 at 8:00 p.m. and if necessary on Monday, April 30 vs. Florida. Playoff ticket packages are available by calling the Wildcatters at (409) 951-5500. For single game playoff 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. Don't miss any hard-hitting Wildcatters hockey action. Wildcatters' 2007-08 season tickets are also now on sale. They start at just $9 per game and feature numerous benefits including free parking and discounted merchandise. The Texas Wildcatters are the ECHL affiliate for the AHL's Houston Aeros.



ECHL Stories from April 24, 2007


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