Zevnik Brilliant, as Wildcats Earn Weekend Split
December 7, 2013 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wichita Falls Wildcats News Release
HIDALGO, Texas - In an outstanding goaltending battle, the Wichita Falls Wildcats (16-10-3) came out ahead of the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees on Saturday, 2-1 in a shootout.
David Zevnik made 30 saves on 31 shots, including a number of top-quality stops, while Tyler Ledford scored the Wildcats' lone goal in regulation. Ben Kucera, Rudy Junda and Kyle Bauman all scored in the shootout for Wichita Falls, with Bauman's tally standing as the decisive goal.
The first period was an entertaining one, with plenty of chances at both ends. Zevnik made a handful of remarkable saves in the frame to keep the Killer Bees off the board, include a glove save while on his back to rob Ben Greiner out of a netmouth scramble.
Rio Grande Valley opened the scoring at the 2:30 mark of the second period. Adam Morrison deflected Connor Pelkey's shot from the blue line between the legs of Zevnik to make it 1-0, but the Wildcats responded on the power play shortly after.
With both Dylan Abood and Luke Bafia in the penalty box, Wichita Falls went to work on a five-on-three man advantage. Kucera played the puck to Sam Piazza, who ripped a one-timer on net. Olli Kalkaja made the save, but the rebound spilled to Ledford at the right circle, who blasted it home to even the affair at 1-1. It was Ledford's third goal of the season, coming at the 9:38 mark of the frame.
The teams traded chances in the third period, with Kalkaja and Zevnik both making a number of strong saves to keep the game 1-1, and the game headed to overtime. Neither team could find a winner in the extra session, so a shootout was needed to determine a winner.
The Wildcats took a commanding lead in the shootout, with Junda and Kucera scoring in the first two rounds. The Killer Bees would even the shootout heading into the fifth round, but Bauman stepped up and snuck a shot through Kalkaja's legs to give Wichita Falls the advantage. Zevnik then stonewalled Rob Marsanico, the last Bees shooter, to give the Wildcats the win in dramatic fashion. Wichita Falls is now 4-2 in shootouts.
The Wildcats are next in action when they return home to host the Lone Star Brahmas on Wednesday, Dec. 11. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., with video coverage available on FASTHockey.com, and an audio-only broadcast available via Ustream.com. Wednesday is Teddy Bear Toss Night, so bring a stuffed toy to throw onto the ice after the Wildcats' first goal. All toys collected will be donated to the Wichita County Sheriff's Department in support of the Cops who Care initiative.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 7, 2013
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