Win over Tornado puts Wildcats back in postseason

Published on March 14, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release


Despite a Friday night loss to the Topeka Roadrunners, the Wildcats got some help from the Texas Tornado before beating them on Saturday to secure a playoff berth for the first time since the 2008-09 season.

The Wildcats ended up on the short end of a 4-2 final against Topeka on Friday night, completing the Roadrunners' season sweep of the 'Cats in the 2010-11 season. The Roadrunners were without leading scorer Michael Hill in the game, suspended following his brutal slash to the back of a Wildcat's legs the week prior. Topeka got on the board first, as Nate Milam scored the first of three goals midway through the period. The Wildcats' re-tied things just over a minute later though, as Keil Zornow poked home a puck on a scramble in front. Richard Young and Miha Stebih picked up the assists.

The offense exploded in the third, with Drew Allen's power play goal giving the Wildcats a 2-1 lead. The joy was brief though: just as the Wildcats struck back quickly in the second, so too would Topeka re-tie the game quickly with Milam's second of the night coming a minute later. A goal from Justin Hussar made it 3-2 Topeka, then Milam would add his hat trick goal shorthanded with 11 minutes left.

Meanwhile down in South Texas, the Texas Tornado won over Corpus Christi on Thursday, then picked up a 7-6 victory on Friday, lowering the Wildcats' magic number to 1-any win or IceRays' regulation loss would clinch the fourth playoff spot in the South for the 'Cats.

The Wildcats would do it themselves, picking up a 4-3 shootout victory over the Tornado on Saturday afternoon. Wildcats' defensemen provided much of the offense, with two regulation goals and a shootout tally in the victory.

Texas got on the board first with former Wildcats' tryout camp participant Marc Biggs finding the back of the net with under 30 seconds left in the first for an early 1-0 Tornado lead. The Wildcats stood tall in the second though, outshooting the Tornado 14-11, punctuated by Brian White's first career NAHL goal, tying the game at the 9:21 mark.

The third period saw an early flurry of scoring that gave the Wildcats their first lead of the afternoon. Texas took the lead 98 seconds into the period off a Nathan Sliwinski goal, matched 20 seconds later by a Joe Adams tally that tied things once more. Will Suter finally broke through for his first goal of the season to give the Wildcats a 3-2 lead just under 4 minutes into the third. But as expected, the Tornado turned up the heat, outshooting the Wildcats 18-10 in the third, with Tyler Rostenkowski tying the game on a shot from the point that was deflected into the net off a body in front with just under 8 minutes to go.

The Wildcats killed a late penalty, and actually outshot the Tornado in overtime 2-0, but with neither team scoring, it was on to a shootout. Texas' J.D. Howard scored on the first attempt for the Tornado, but Tyler Green shut the door the rest of the way. Miha Stebih tied things as the Wildcats' fourth shooter, and Will Suter struck once again to end it as the final shooter, clinching the win and a playoff spot for the Wildcats.

WEEKEND NOTES: Tyler Green's 42-save effort on Saturday was his fourth game this season with 40 or more saves. He is 2-2 in those games. Allen's goal Friday made him the fifth Wildcat this season with five power play goals. The last time the Wildcats had five players with five power play tallies in a season was 2005-06 (Kyle Kraemer had 7, Dan Sexton 5, Chris Ochoa 9, Adam Cardwell 5, Dan Medenwaldt 7, and Skylur Jameson 7).

Make-Up Date Tuesday for February 4 Game

The Wildcats and Texas Tornado will make up their canceled February 4 game tomorrow, facing off on Tuesday, March 15 at 7:30 pm. All tickets for that game will be honored at the Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco. See you there!

Preview: Texas, Amarillo, and New Mexico

The Wildcats have a busy week, playing four games in five days against Texas, Amarillo, and New Mexico.

The Wildcats play in Frisco against the Texas Tornado on Tuesday evening. The 'Cats have beaten the Tornado twice this season-a 4-3 shootout win on Saturday, and 4-2 on February 5.

The Wildcats will face the Tornado on Saturday at noon down in Frisco. The Wildcats are 1-5-0 against the Tornado this season, with that lone winning coming via a 4-2 score on February 5.

Jack Prince and Jackson Leef share the Tornado's scoring lead with 57 points each. J.D. Howard's 25 goals are best on the team, while Ralfs Freibergs leads in assists with 44. Mike Fleming has spent the most time in the sin bin at 138 minutes.

Next up is a home game against Amarillo on Wednesday at 7:05 pm. The Wildcats are 3-6-0 against the Bulls this season. Their last game was a 2-1 loss on February 11. The Wildcats' last win over the Bulls was two nights before that, taking a 4-3 overtime decision.

Amarillo's top scorer is Zack Smoot with 57 points this season and a best-on-the-team total of 35 assists. Their top goal scorer is Cody Freeman, who has scored 26 times.Joe Kozlak leads the team with 112 penalty minutes.

Lastly, the Wildcats finish out the week with two games at home Friday and Saturday against the New Mexico Mustangs. The Wildcats are 5-4-1 against the Mustangs this season, with their last matchup being a 4-2 Wildcat victory on February 26.

The Mustangs are led by Adam Chapie's 31 points and 18 assists, with Patrick Anderson scoring a team-leading 17 goals. Kalin Paul's 178 penalty minutes are the top number in that category.

Family Four-Pack for Wednesday!

The Wildcats are offering a Family Four-Pack deal on Wednesday night-4 end zone tickets for $30! Call the Kay Yeager Coliseum Box Office to get yours: 940-716-5555.

Upcoming Wildcats' Events

The Wildcats' Coaches Radio Show will not be held this week due to the rescheduled game on Tuesday night.

Broomball, adult hockey, and open skating: Check WFWildcatsHockey.com for the schedule under the Games and Ice Events tab! Any questions about our ice programs' Contact Brandon Miller in the Wildcats office, 940-716-5587.

Alumni Report

Dan Sexton scored goal number four on the season as the Anaheim Ducks won Friday over Colorado 6-2. The goal came on Sexton's only shot on goal of the game.

Jack Wolgemuth and Nick Klaren each had two-point weekends for the SPHL's Mississippi Surge. Wolgemuth scored a goal in each of two victories over the Columbus Cottonmouths, while Klaren assisted on two goals in Friday night's victory.

Andrew Conboy is on a two-game scoring streak. He put up his tenth goal of the season in Saturday's victory over the Texas Stars, then had a goal and two assists on Sunday as his Hamilton Bulldogs lost to Rochester 6-5. His goal on Sunday came only 11 seconds into the contest.

Kyle Kraemer is another former Wildcat on a scoring streak in the pro levels. He has had points in each of his last three games with the ECHL's Ontario Reign. He is the top rookie scorer on the team.

Kyle Delaurell had a goal and three assists as Air Force advanced to the Atlantic Hockey Association semifinals with a pair of wins over Sacred Heart. They will face Holy Cross this weekend.

Former Wildcats Sean McKenzie, Adam Kuhn, and Phil Graveline of Davenport University won the ACHA Division 1 National Championship last week with a 3-2 overtime win over top-ranked Lindenwood. McKenzie was named All-Tournament Second Team. Graveline stopped 31 of 33 shots, while Kuhn assisted on two of Davenport's three goals including the overtime clincher.

Zack Rourke and the Michigan State Spartans' Division 2 ACHA squad play for that level's National Championship this week.

Petr Ondrejac and HC Vimperc won the Penta Cup as champions of the Krajska-Liga in the Czech Republic.

Ville Aman and Huddinge IK begin their playoffs this week as well in the Swedish Division 1 league. The top two teams will move up to the Allsvenskan level. Huddinge IK is currently the top-ranked team.

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North American Hockey League Stories from March 14, 2011


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