Wildcatters Weekly
April 30, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release
Beaumont, TX (April 30, 2007) The Texas Wildcatters are in the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the first time in team history. The 'Catters are battling the Florida Everblades for supremacy in the South Division. The best of seven game South Division Finals is even at two games a piece. Each team has won and lost a game at home. The Wildcatters can take their first series lead tonight as they host Florida in Game 5 at Ford Arena. Game time is 7:00 p.m.
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
Monday, Apr. 30 at 7:00 p.m. (Game 5) - The first 1,000 fans receive 'Catter Card Signs, compliments of FedEx Kinko's.
'Catter Crazy for the Playoffs - Buy Playoff Tickets NOW
The Wildcatters are representing 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
Monday, April 30 at 7:00 p.m. CT vs. Florida, Friday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m. CT at Florida and (if necessary) Saturday, May 5 at 6:30 p.m. CT at Florida
The Wildcatters continue 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 in the regular season. The Wildcatters are 4-0-1 at Ford Arena this season against Florida while 3-2-0 on the road. The two teams have split the first four games in this series. Daniel Sparre has four of the five Wildcatters game winning goals in the playoffs while Vince Bellissimo of Florida has five goals in this series.
Last week - Wildcatters Alternate Wins as Series is Tied at Two
Tuesday, April 24 at Florida 5-0 Loss (Game 1)
Vince Bellissimo scored three goals for the hat trick and goaltender Craig Kowalski made 25 saves as the Florida Everblades defeated the Wildcatters in game 1 of the South Division Finals 5-0 in front of 4,203 at Germain Arena. Florida took a 1-0 lead in the first period as Jonathan Lehun's tip beat goaltender Danny Taylor. The Everblades out shot Texas 11-4 in the opening frame. In the second period, Vince Bellissimo took over for Florida. He scored his first two goals which came 13 minutes apart. The second came on the power play and Florida led 3-0 after two periods. The third period saw the Everblades continue their barrage as Adam Taylor scored at 9:55 and Bellissimo capped off the hat trick with 16 second remaining in the game for the win.
Wednesday, April 25 at Florida 5-0 Win (Game 2)
The Wildcatters responded in game 2 of the South Division Finals as Matt Yeats made 33 saves and Kevin Baker scored twice to shut out Florida 5-0 in front of 4,312 at Germain Arena. The best of seven South Division Finals is now even at one game a piece. For the third time in the four 'Catters playoff wins. Daniel Sparre scored the game winning goal. It was his fourth goal of the playoffs at 6:22 of the first period to put the 'Catters up 1-0. The Wildcatters took control in the second period, scoring three times. The first came from the stick of Ben Thomson as he netted his second playoff goal with a great feed from Jonathan Paiement to make it 2-0. Then, Kevin Baker lit the lamp with an extreme sharp angle shot as the puck trickled past Everblades goaltender Craig Kowalski. It was 3-0 at that point. Mike Bayrack would make it 4-0, getting his first goal of the playoffs on a break with help from Thomson. In the third, Kevin Baker scored a breakaway goal to send the 'Catters back to Beaumont with a 5-0 shut out win and the series even at one.
Friday, April 27 vs. Florida 5-2 Loss (Game 3)
Vince Bellissimo scored two goals and goaltender Craig Kowalski made 33 saves as the Florida Everblades looked like their game one form as they crushed the Wildcatters 5-2 in game three in front of 1,813 at Ford Arena. The Everblades took a two games to one lead in the best of seven South Division Finals. Bellissimo scored the game winner with 35 second remaining in the first period as Florida scored the game's first five goals. Both of Bellissimo's goals came on the power play as he now has five in the three game series. Dustin Johner, David Brine and Brad Zancanaro netted the other Everblades' goals. Texas got on the board late in the second period as Ben Thomson scored his third of the playoffs and in the third period Daniel Sparre netted his fifth of the playoffs.
Saturday, April 28 vs. Florida 3-1 Win (Game 4)
Matt Yeats made 34 saves and Daniel Sparre scored his fourth game winning goal of the playoffs as the Wildcatters evened the South Division Finals at two games a piece with a 3-1 Win over the Florida Everblades in front of 1,551 at Ford Arena. Florida took an early 1-0 lead 3:25 into the game as Reggie Berg beat Yeats. Texas answered as Ben Thomson scored his fourth of the playoffs to tie the game at one. Daniel Sparre gave the Wildcatters the lead at 2-1 scoring his sixth goal of the playoffs with help from Kevin Baker and Brandin Cote. The 'Catters would get some insurance with 45 seconds left as Baker scored a power play goal while Everblades' goaltender Craig Kowalski was trying to get back in his crease after going to the bench for an extra attacker. The Wildcatters scored their first power play goal of the series, going 1 for 6.
Wildcatters Itinerary (All Times are Central)
Monday, Apr. 30 Pre-Game Skate, 10:00 a.m. @ Ford Arena
GAME 5 vs. Florida, 7:00 p.m. @ Ford Arena
Tuesday, May 1 Practice @ Ford Arena
Wednesday, May 2 Travel Day to Florida
Practice @ Germain Arena
Thursday, May 3 Practice, 10:15 a.m. @ Germain Arena
Friday, May 4 Pre-Game Skate, 10:15 a.m. @ Germain Arena
GAME 6 at Florida, 6:30 p.m. @ Germain Arena
Saturday, May 5 Pre-Game Skate, 10:15 a.m. @ Germain Arena
GAME 7 at Florida, 6:30 p.m. @ Germain Arena (if necessary)
Sunday, May 6 Travel Day back Home
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 game will be 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 30, 2007
- Wildcatters Suffer Game Five Loss at Home 4-2, Trail Series 3-2 - Texas Wildcatters
- Blades take 3-2 series lead after 4-2 win at Texas - Florida Everblades
- Dayton Drops Cyclones, 6-2, Monday - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Aces, Steelheads collide in ECHL Final Four - Alaska Aces
- Baby Cal Walks for Charity, Then Heats Up Weekend - Bakersfield Condors
- Condors Eliminated From Kelly Cup Playoffs - Bakersfield Condors
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Wildcatters Weekly - Texas Wildcatters
- Equipment and Game-Worn Jersey Sale this Weekend - Charlotte Checkers
- Islanders Name Capuano Bridgeport Head Coach - ECHL
- Everblades Weekly - Florida Everblades
- Salmon Kings ink Head Coach Mark Morrison - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Limited Number of $10 Tickets Available for Tonight as Wildcatters Take on Florida - Texas Wildcatters
- 'Blades get help from above; three added to roster - Florida Everblades
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Falcons top league in attendance percentage increase - Fresno Falcons
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.
