Wildcatters Win in OT 5-4, Take 2-1 Series Lead
April 18, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release
Beaumont, TX (April 18, 2007) 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.
The Kelly Cup Playoffs are coming to Southeast Texas for the first time in history. The next Wildcatters home games will be Friday, April 20 at 8:05 p.m. and if necessary on Sunday, April 22 vs. Gwinnett. 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 18, 2007
- Galbraith, Nesbitt and Lammers Bury Two Goals Apiece As Steelheads Rout Thunder 6-1 To Win Series - Idaho Steelheads
- Wildcatters Win in OT 5-4, Take 2-1 Series Lead - Texas Wildcatters
- Idaho advances, Thunder season ends on Idaho's six-goal rally - Stockton Thunder
- Gladiators Fall to Wildcatters 5-4 in OT - Atlanta Gladiators
- Pandolfo And Magnan Come Back To Trenton - Trenton Devils
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Kelly Cup Playoffs Broadcast On B2 Networks For Fourth Straight Year - ECHL
- Trenton's Leblond Suspended One Game, Fined - ECHL
- Former Long Beach Ice Dog Halak Named MeiGray Group Alumnus Of The Month - ECHL
- Fitzsimmons Steps Down as Head Coach - South Carolina Stingrays
- Magowan Returns to Toledo - Toledo Walleye
- Gwinnett's Bennefield Suspended One Game, Fined - ECHL
- Texas' David Suspended One Game, Fined - ECHL
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Wildcatters Set for First Home Playoff Game in Team History Tonight - Texas Wildcatters
- Cyclones-Toledo Preview - Cincinnati Cyclones
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