I know, I'm slipping a bit. It's been a busy few weeks for me, hence why I haven't updated since the afternoon of January 23. In that time, here's what's happened with the Wildcats:
ACQUIRED: Goaltender Nick Hopper. The former Southern Minnesota Express and Santa Fe Roadrunners netminder came over from the USHL and has played well, despite getting limited support at the offensive end.
OUTTA HERE: Goaltender Mike Jarboe. Now with the Marquette Rangers, here's to hoping Jarbs has a strong end to his season. Since joining Marquette, he's 1-1-1, 2.28, .911.
WINS: One over Wenatchee, one over Springfield, two over Alaska, four over Kenai River.
LOSSES: One to Wenatchee, one to Springfield, four to Alaska, two to St. Louis, one to Kenai River.
NAHL South Players of the Week: One, Adam Kuhn this week.
Player/Goaltender of the Week Honorable Mentions: Three (Phil Graveline for Goaltender of the week this week and February 9, and Brett Kaneshiro for POTW last week).
College Commitments: Brett Hartung to Bentley College.
Money raised for CMN: $40,000.
Brawls: Two against Wenatchee on January 23, with one almost happening again the next night (see end of OT).
Suspensions: Four, totalling five games.
Injuries: Several, but all but two are back in the lineup by now.
Notable moments for the record books: Sean McKenzie is now the Wildcats' all-time PIM leader, active assists leader, and is tied for the active points lead; Phil Graveline gets his first career shutout and sets a new team record for saves in a game; Adam Kuhn gets a hat trick.
And so now, we come into the final month of the 2008-09 season. The close to this season is much different from that of last season. Last season, the Wildcats came into March riding an 11-game winning streak. The team started the month with a week off, then lost every game in March, falling from first to third. This season, the Wildcats are in third, but have started March on a winning note, with a victory over Alaska and two over Kenai River. They also have no weekends off, so there is less of a risk of disrupting any momentum the team may have on their side. The schedule for the rest of the month will be tough though: two this weekend against St. Louis, two next week in Topeka on Thursday and Friday, then two at home against Springfield on the 27th and 28th of the month to bring the season to a close.
Be watching on Friday, as I will preview the Wildcats' series against St. Louis. The teams face off Friday and Saturday at 7:05 pm at the Kay Yeager Coliseum.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
A new office, a new preview
With the hiring of two new sales people, I've got myself a new office. It's pretty much the same, just a little smaller and across the hall. And it's the only one on this side of the building without a window.
Oh well, no complaints here. At least now I have a shelf to display my sports memorabilia on. Anyways, two games this weekend against Wenatchee. Wildcats are coming off two losses to Fairbanks, while the Wild are coming off two wins over Topeka. Eek.
These two teams faced each other last week, of course. Wildcats took both games, one in overtime. So far, the home team has won every game between these two teams-- in other words, it's just the opposite of playing against Springfield where the home team has always lost.
Anyways, it's Kiowa Casino Night tonight, where every adult fan in attendance gets a free casino-used deck of cards, plus a voucher for $10 in free casino play. Tomorrow is Craze E. Cat Mouse Pad Night, where fans get-- obviously-- a mouse pad featuring our mascot, Craze E. Cat.
Both teams will be missing a few key cogs in their lineup. For the Wildcats, Ricky Brown, Sean Coffey, Brett Hartung, and Jason Nash are all day-to-day with injuries, while the Wild appear as though they will be missing D.J. Vandercook, Nick Nagel, and Zach Ledford for their roles in a brawl on Wednesday. Each received game misconducts, while Nagel was flagged for leaving the bench to get involved. So, the lineups appear to be in flux for both teams as of right now.
And now, the usual statistical preview...
GOALS PER GAME
WEN: 3.03
WFW: 2.89
GOALS ALLOWED PER GAME
WEN: 3.52
WFW: 3.71
PIM PER GAME
WEN: 22.62
WFW: 32.17
POWER PLAY
WEN: 29/174, 16.67% (8th in the NAHL)
WFW: 33/194, 17.01% (5th in the NAHL)
PENALTY KILL
WEN: 145/173, 83.82% (15th in the NAHL)
WFW: 175/224, 78.13% (18th in the NAHL)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Wichita Falls: Anyone who wants to step up as a leader. Lacking Hartung and Coffey, who wear the C and an A for the Wildcats, as well as the veteran Brown is a huge blow to the team. Someone, anyone needs to step up and lead this team. Attention needs to turn to the other two A's, Jeff McNeil and Brett Kaneshiro, as well as veterans like Sean McKenzie to get things going and lead by example.
Wenatchee: Anyone who can step up and score some goals. Wenatchee's leading goal scorer, D.J. Vandercook, is one of the players likely to miss tonight's game after the Wednesday brawl. He has scored 18 of Wenatchee's 88 goals, a staggering 20.5% from just this one player.
7:05 pm start time, as usual. You can watch on the B2 Networks, or listen online via the NowLive Networks at wfwildcatshockey.com or 949theoutlaw.com.
Oh well, no complaints here. At least now I have a shelf to display my sports memorabilia on. Anyways, two games this weekend against Wenatchee. Wildcats are coming off two losses to Fairbanks, while the Wild are coming off two wins over Topeka. Eek.
These two teams faced each other last week, of course. Wildcats took both games, one in overtime. So far, the home team has won every game between these two teams-- in other words, it's just the opposite of playing against Springfield where the home team has always lost.
Anyways, it's Kiowa Casino Night tonight, where every adult fan in attendance gets a free casino-used deck of cards, plus a voucher for $10 in free casino play. Tomorrow is Craze E. Cat Mouse Pad Night, where fans get-- obviously-- a mouse pad featuring our mascot, Craze E. Cat.
Both teams will be missing a few key cogs in their lineup. For the Wildcats, Ricky Brown, Sean Coffey, Brett Hartung, and Jason Nash are all day-to-day with injuries, while the Wild appear as though they will be missing D.J. Vandercook, Nick Nagel, and Zach Ledford for their roles in a brawl on Wednesday. Each received game misconducts, while Nagel was flagged for leaving the bench to get involved. So, the lineups appear to be in flux for both teams as of right now.
And now, the usual statistical preview...
GOALS PER GAME
WEN: 3.03
WFW: 2.89
GOALS ALLOWED PER GAME
WEN: 3.52
WFW: 3.71
PIM PER GAME
WEN: 22.62
WFW: 32.17
POWER PLAY
WEN: 29/174, 16.67% (8th in the NAHL)
WFW: 33/194, 17.01% (5th in the NAHL)
PENALTY KILL
WEN: 145/173, 83.82% (15th in the NAHL)
WFW: 175/224, 78.13% (18th in the NAHL)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Wichita Falls: Anyone who wants to step up as a leader. Lacking Hartung and Coffey, who wear the C and an A for the Wildcats, as well as the veteran Brown is a huge blow to the team. Someone, anyone needs to step up and lead this team. Attention needs to turn to the other two A's, Jeff McNeil and Brett Kaneshiro, as well as veterans like Sean McKenzie to get things going and lead by example.
Wenatchee: Anyone who can step up and score some goals. Wenatchee's leading goal scorer, D.J. Vandercook, is one of the players likely to miss tonight's game after the Wednesday brawl. He has scored 18 of Wenatchee's 88 goals, a staggering 20.5% from just this one player.
7:05 pm start time, as usual. You can watch on the B2 Networks, or listen online via the NowLive Networks at wfwildcatshockey.com or 949theoutlaw.com.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Fairbanks for Two
The span of 6 games in 9 days has started off well for the Wildcats, with four points against the Wenatchee Wild, but things get tough tonight with Fairbanks coming to town. Fairbanks is #1 in the West Division, with only 8 losses among 22 wins and 4 OT losses. The Wildcats beat them once in a shootout up in Fairbanks and lost two others. Worse news: while the Wildcats are lacking Ricky Brown, Kyle Delaurell, and Jason Nash due to injury, they will also be without Brett Hartung, Jeff McNeil, Sean McKenzie, and Brett Kaneshiro, who are in Michigan at the Top Prospects Tournament. Good news: Fairbanks is missing seven players at the TPT.
Other good news: Sean McKenzie scored two goals for the South Division, while McNeil and Kaneshiro each added an assist in the South Division's 2-1-0 record in Michigan, best of any non-USNTDP teams. The four missing players will be replaced this weekend by two players, one from the WSHL's Tulsa Rampage, the other from the Dallas Penguins Midget Major squad.
Yet more good news: Congrats to Mike Jarboe, named the GDI/NAHL Goaltender of the Week, and Brett Hartung, named the Sherwood/NAHL South Division Player of the Week.
Anyways, a preview with my customary numbers.
GOALS PER GAME
WFW 3.0
FAI 4.0
GOALS ALLOWED PER GAME
WFW 3.76
FAI 2.79
PIM PER GAME
WFW 32.58
FAI 28.53
POWER PLAY
WFW 17.3% (7th in NAHL)
FAI 18.1% (2nd in NAHL)
PENALTY KILL
WFW 77.9% (18th in NAHL)
FAI 86.1% (10th in NAHL)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
WICHITA FALLS
Wildcats newcomers: It will be interesting to see what the two new players can do; perhaps they could be tendered for next season. I can't tell you their names yet; you'll have to tune in or come to the arena!
FAIRBANKS
Brad McCabe and Austin Block. Despite missing seven players, Fairbanks STILL has their leading goal-scorer and point-getter, respectively.
Don't forget, all tickets are 2 for 1 tonight, and $2.50 tomorrow!
Other good news: Sean McKenzie scored two goals for the South Division, while McNeil and Kaneshiro each added an assist in the South Division's 2-1-0 record in Michigan, best of any non-USNTDP teams. The four missing players will be replaced this weekend by two players, one from the WSHL's Tulsa Rampage, the other from the Dallas Penguins Midget Major squad.
Yet more good news: Congrats to Mike Jarboe, named the GDI/NAHL Goaltender of the Week, and Brett Hartung, named the Sherwood/NAHL South Division Player of the Week.
Anyways, a preview with my customary numbers.
GOALS PER GAME
WFW 3.0
FAI 4.0
GOALS ALLOWED PER GAME
WFW 3.76
FAI 2.79
PIM PER GAME
WFW 32.58
FAI 28.53
POWER PLAY
WFW 17.3% (7th in NAHL)
FAI 18.1% (2nd in NAHL)
PENALTY KILL
WFW 77.9% (18th in NAHL)
FAI 86.1% (10th in NAHL)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
WICHITA FALLS
Wildcats newcomers: It will be interesting to see what the two new players can do; perhaps they could be tendered for next season. I can't tell you their names yet; you'll have to tune in or come to the arena!
FAIRBANKS
Brad McCabe and Austin Block. Despite missing seven players, Fairbanks STILL has their leading goal-scorer and point-getter, respectively.
Don't forget, all tickets are 2 for 1 tonight, and $2.50 tomorrow!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Weekend With Washington's Wenatchee Wild
After dropping two last weekend against the Springfield Junior Blues, the Wildcats are looking to get things back on track this week against the Wenatchee Wild. As a 2008-09 expansion team, the Wild are making their first ever trip into Wichita Falls. The Wildcats and Wild faced each other three times earlier this season in Wenatchee, with the Wild sweeping the series with scores of 3-2 and 5-2 in regulation, and 4-3 in a shootout.
Should see at least one huge crowd this week, as Saturday is Military Appreciation Night, where anyone with a valid military ID gets a free ticket, and gets entered into a raffle to win the Wildcats' camouflage jerseys after the game. Last year's Military Appreciation Night saw a crowd of 5,415 people watch as the Wildcats lost in overtime against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Luke Salazar had a hat trick, and the third period featured a major brawl, with all five skaters for both teams duking it out on the ice. Friday is United Regional Health Care System T-Shirt Night.
The Wildcats and the Wild come into this game with a similar record, as the Wildcats are third in the South Division at 13-13-5 for 31 points, while the Wild are second in the West Division at 13-11-1 for 27 points. Both teams are hovering around .500, with 13 wins each. With the Wild sweeping the Wildcats in Washington, the Wildcats are looking to return the favor this weekend and get back above .500.
On that note, it's numbers time!
GOALS PER GAME
WEN: 3.00
WFW: 2.87
GOALS ALLOWED PER GAME
WEN: 3.52
WFW: 3.87
PIM PER GAME
WEN: 20.88
WFW: 32.80
POWER PLAY
WEN: 26/144, 18.06%, 5th in the NAHL
WFW:32/177, 18.08, 4th in the NAHL
PENALTY KILL
WEN: 126/154, 81.82%, 15th in the NAHL
WFW: 156/202, 77.23%, 18th in the NAHL
Interesting similarities in the special teams numbers: both teams are top 5 on the power play, while being bottom 5 in penalty killing. Keeping trips to the box limited will be huge in this series for both teams.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Wichita Falls
Adam Kuhn: With Kyle Delaurell's season-ending shoulder surgery, the league's PIM leader is being moved up to center a line between Del's linemates, Chad Hudson and Brett Hartung. Ryan Amin: Not sure if he'll be playing this weekend or not, but Amin was acquired this week from Traverse City in exchange for Tim Opie. He was in the Wildcats' camp in 2007 and was impressive to me, so I'm anxious to see what he can do.
Wenatchee
Michael Voran, D.J. Vandercook, and Junior Cadiz: This trio leads the Wild in points, goals, and assists, respectively. Joe Blake: The big forward has 35 PIM in only 5 games with the Wild (note that 31 of those 35 came in a single game against Topeka). With the Wildcats being a physical team, Blake could have his hands pretty full this weekend.
Game time tonight and tomorrow night is 7:05 at the Kay Yeager Coliseum. If you aren't there, then shame on you for six years. You can atone for that by viewing on the B2 Networks or listening in online, WFWildcatsHockey.com at the Listen Live link.
By the way, tickets on Tuesday are buy one get one of equal or lesser value free, and tickets for Wednesday are $2.50 for ANY seat in the house. So come on down!
Should see at least one huge crowd this week, as Saturday is Military Appreciation Night, where anyone with a valid military ID gets a free ticket, and gets entered into a raffle to win the Wildcats' camouflage jerseys after the game. Last year's Military Appreciation Night saw a crowd of 5,415 people watch as the Wildcats lost in overtime against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Luke Salazar had a hat trick, and the third period featured a major brawl, with all five skaters for both teams duking it out on the ice. Friday is United Regional Health Care System T-Shirt Night.
The Wildcats and the Wild come into this game with a similar record, as the Wildcats are third in the South Division at 13-13-5 for 31 points, while the Wild are second in the West Division at 13-11-1 for 27 points. Both teams are hovering around .500, with 13 wins each. With the Wild sweeping the Wildcats in Washington, the Wildcats are looking to return the favor this weekend and get back above .500.
On that note, it's numbers time!
GOALS PER GAME
WEN: 3.00
WFW: 2.87
GOALS ALLOWED PER GAME
WEN: 3.52
WFW: 3.87
PIM PER GAME
WEN: 20.88
WFW: 32.80
POWER PLAY
WEN: 26/144, 18.06%, 5th in the NAHL
WFW:32/177, 18.08, 4th in the NAHL
PENALTY KILL
WEN: 126/154, 81.82%, 15th in the NAHL
WFW: 156/202, 77.23%, 18th in the NAHL
Interesting similarities in the special teams numbers: both teams are top 5 on the power play, while being bottom 5 in penalty killing. Keeping trips to the box limited will be huge in this series for both teams.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Wichita Falls
Adam Kuhn: With Kyle Delaurell's season-ending shoulder surgery, the league's PIM leader is being moved up to center a line between Del's linemates, Chad Hudson and Brett Hartung. Ryan Amin: Not sure if he'll be playing this weekend or not, but Amin was acquired this week from Traverse City in exchange for Tim Opie. He was in the Wildcats' camp in 2007 and was impressive to me, so I'm anxious to see what he can do.
Wenatchee
Michael Voran, D.J. Vandercook, and Junior Cadiz: This trio leads the Wild in points, goals, and assists, respectively. Joe Blake: The big forward has 35 PIM in only 5 games with the Wild (note that 31 of those 35 came in a single game against Topeka). With the Wildcats being a physical team, Blake could have his hands pretty full this weekend.
Game time tonight and tomorrow night is 7:05 at the Kay Yeager Coliseum. If you aren't there, then shame on you for six years. You can atone for that by viewing on the B2 Networks or listening in online, WFWildcatsHockey.com at the Listen Live link.
By the way, tickets on Tuesday are buy one get one of equal or lesser value free, and tickets for Wednesday are $2.50 for ANY seat in the house. So come on down!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Let's review, shall we?
Been a little WAY behind on writing here, but it's time for a little update.
Nice streak throughout December for the Wildcats. 4-1-1 record in 6 games, Brett Hartung had a team-record 8-game goal scoring streak between November and December, and the team averaged scoring 3.17 goals a game, and allowing 2.67. Here's to hoping last week's 1-2 record (9-1 loss, 3-1 win, and 6-0 loss) in St. Louis is just a hiccup.
Jeff McNeil is headed to the Ohio State University. Go Bucks! Though it's got to be weird for a native of Central Michigan to be headed down to Ohio. Better than donning the maize and gold though; I think Spartans and Buckeyes fans would all can agree on that. Best of luck in the scarlet and gray at tOSU!
Top Prospects Tournament is coming up, with four Wildcats representing the South: forwards McNeil, Hartung, and Kyle Delaurell, as well as defenseman Brett Kaneshiro. Would have been nice to see Mike Jarboe end up there for a second year in a row after his awesome December, but who can argue with the picks of Bryce Merriam and Keith Kincaid? They're both tops in GAA and save percentage, and Kincaid leads in wins and shutouts not just for their teams, not just for the South Division, but for the entire NAHL. Jarbs is a hell of a goalie, but it would be flat-out wrong to not select Kinkaid and Merriam.
Back home we go this weekend, and for most of January. 8 games in a row at the KYC before going on the road to Alaska. The games consist of two against Springfield this weekend, four against Wenatchee over the next two weekends, and a rare mid-week series against Fairbanks. I swear, I WILL PREVIEW EACH SERIES! MARK MY WORDS! If I don't, please come up and kick me at an upcoming home game. There's no time to start quite like the present, as Springfield comes to town this weekend.
The Wildcats started their hot streak with a pair of road victories over the Junior Blues on November 21 and 22. They added two more road wins two weeks later. The Wildcats started off their home schedule back in October dropping two games to the Junior Blues, but much has changed since then for both teams. Since that home-season-opening series, the Wildcats have added Augie Hoffmann, Sean Coffey, Braden Kinnebrew, David Kurbatsky, Adam Kuhn, Chad Hudson, and Anthony Iaquinto, while subtracting Shaun Jameson, Ryan Dyer, Tyler Krueger, Kurbatsky, Patrick Cahill, Michael Hill, and Adam Sponseller. Meanwhile, the Junior Blues added Randy Cure, Tyler Sorensen, Casey Kirley, Kyle Verbeek, and Brandon Bahnemann, while dropping Edvin Berg, Jarrett Galbreath, Sorensen, and Andy Kitt. With the two teams having their early struggles, it's certainly understandable that there will be some trial and error in getting the right balances. And as both teams are seeing, it's certainly better to realize early that things aren't working and try to fix them with trades and personnel changes instead of doing the same thing over and over again without success.
Anyways, Wildcats are 4-1-1 against Springfield this season. They have averaged scoring 3.67 goals per game, while averaging allowing 3.5 goals per game against the Junior Blues. The teams have racked up a combined 367 PIM against each other in their games as well, an average of about 36 per game. Here are a few other major numbers for this series.
GOALS PER GAME
WF: 2.86 SPR 2.78
GOALS ALLOWED PER GAME
WF: 3.72 SPR 3.69
PIM PER GAME
WF: 33.66 SPR 21.56
POWER PLAY
WF: 30/169, 17.8%, 4th in NAHL
SPR: 25/199, 12.6%, 14th in NAHL
PENALTY KILL
WF: 150/195, 76.92%, 18th in NAHL
SPR: 156/181, 86.19%, 8th in NAHL
Interesting how the special teams match up: Springfield's power play is among the worst in the league, while the Wildcats' penalty kill statistically is in the basement. Wildcats have a top 5 PP, while the Junior Blues are a top-half-of-the-league penalty killing team. With the teams averaging 36 PIM per game against each other, and with penalties being a big factor this poast weekend against St. Louis, this could certainly come into play this weekend.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Wichita Falls
Chad Hudson: 7 of the centerman's 15 points have come in four games against the Junior Blues. Zach Rourke: 4 goals on the season, 3 of them coming from a hat trick against the Junior Blues on November 22. Ricky Brown: suspended for Friday after a game misconduct vs. St. Louis, he'll be in the lineup on Saturday, and 4 of his 7 points have come against Springfield
Springfield
Nick Curry: team's scoring leader has 4 goals and 4 assists in the 6 games against the Wildcats. Trent Frey: currently second in the league in goals behind St. Louis' Grant Gorczyca (21 to GG's 22), he's found the back of the net 4 times against the Cats. Austin Coldwell: a solid defenseman, he has assisted on 6 goals against the Wildcats, while scoring one of his own.
Once again, 2 games this weekend, the start of an 8-game homestand. We'll see you at the KYC!
Nice streak throughout December for the Wildcats. 4-1-1 record in 6 games, Brett Hartung had a team-record 8-game goal scoring streak between November and December, and the team averaged scoring 3.17 goals a game, and allowing 2.67. Here's to hoping last week's 1-2 record (9-1 loss, 3-1 win, and 6-0 loss) in St. Louis is just a hiccup.
Jeff McNeil is headed to the Ohio State University. Go Bucks! Though it's got to be weird for a native of Central Michigan to be headed down to Ohio. Better than donning the maize and gold though; I think Spartans and Buckeyes fans would all can agree on that. Best of luck in the scarlet and gray at tOSU!
Top Prospects Tournament is coming up, with four Wildcats representing the South: forwards McNeil, Hartung, and Kyle Delaurell, as well as defenseman Brett Kaneshiro. Would have been nice to see Mike Jarboe end up there for a second year in a row after his awesome December, but who can argue with the picks of Bryce Merriam and Keith Kincaid? They're both tops in GAA and save percentage, and Kincaid leads in wins and shutouts not just for their teams, not just for the South Division, but for the entire NAHL. Jarbs is a hell of a goalie, but it would be flat-out wrong to not select Kinkaid and Merriam.
Back home we go this weekend, and for most of January. 8 games in a row at the KYC before going on the road to Alaska. The games consist of two against Springfield this weekend, four against Wenatchee over the next two weekends, and a rare mid-week series against Fairbanks. I swear, I WILL PREVIEW EACH SERIES! MARK MY WORDS! If I don't, please come up and kick me at an upcoming home game. There's no time to start quite like the present, as Springfield comes to town this weekend.
The Wildcats started their hot streak with a pair of road victories over the Junior Blues on November 21 and 22. They added two more road wins two weeks later. The Wildcats started off their home schedule back in October dropping two games to the Junior Blues, but much has changed since then for both teams. Since that home-season-opening series, the Wildcats have added Augie Hoffmann, Sean Coffey, Braden Kinnebrew, David Kurbatsky, Adam Kuhn, Chad Hudson, and Anthony Iaquinto, while subtracting Shaun Jameson, Ryan Dyer, Tyler Krueger, Kurbatsky, Patrick Cahill, Michael Hill, and Adam Sponseller. Meanwhile, the Junior Blues added Randy Cure, Tyler Sorensen, Casey Kirley, Kyle Verbeek, and Brandon Bahnemann, while dropping Edvin Berg, Jarrett Galbreath, Sorensen, and Andy Kitt. With the two teams having their early struggles, it's certainly understandable that there will be some trial and error in getting the right balances. And as both teams are seeing, it's certainly better to realize early that things aren't working and try to fix them with trades and personnel changes instead of doing the same thing over and over again without success.
Anyways, Wildcats are 4-1-1 against Springfield this season. They have averaged scoring 3.67 goals per game, while averaging allowing 3.5 goals per game against the Junior Blues. The teams have racked up a combined 367 PIM against each other in their games as well, an average of about 36 per game. Here are a few other major numbers for this series.
GOALS PER GAME
WF: 2.86 SPR 2.78
GOALS ALLOWED PER GAME
WF: 3.72 SPR 3.69
PIM PER GAME
WF: 33.66 SPR 21.56
POWER PLAY
WF: 30/169, 17.8%, 4th in NAHL
SPR: 25/199, 12.6%, 14th in NAHL
PENALTY KILL
WF: 150/195, 76.92%, 18th in NAHL
SPR: 156/181, 86.19%, 8th in NAHL
Interesting how the special teams match up: Springfield's power play is among the worst in the league, while the Wildcats' penalty kill statistically is in the basement. Wildcats have a top 5 PP, while the Junior Blues are a top-half-of-the-league penalty killing team. With the teams averaging 36 PIM per game against each other, and with penalties being a big factor this poast weekend against St. Louis, this could certainly come into play this weekend.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Wichita Falls
Chad Hudson: 7 of the centerman's 15 points have come in four games against the Junior Blues. Zach Rourke: 4 goals on the season, 3 of them coming from a hat trick against the Junior Blues on November 22. Ricky Brown: suspended for Friday after a game misconduct vs. St. Louis, he'll be in the lineup on Saturday, and 4 of his 7 points have come against Springfield
Springfield
Nick Curry: team's scoring leader has 4 goals and 4 assists in the 6 games against the Wildcats. Trent Frey: currently second in the league in goals behind St. Louis' Grant Gorczyca (21 to GG's 22), he's found the back of the net 4 times against the Cats. Austin Coldwell: a solid defenseman, he has assisted on 6 goals against the Wildcats, while scoring one of his own.
Once again, 2 games this weekend, the start of an 8-game homestand. We'll see you at the KYC!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
11 points in 6 games, and a St. Louis preview
What a couple of weeks it has been for the Wildcats!
First off, the Wildcats have made their way up from the litter box of the division with 5 wins and an overtime loss over the past three weeks. After a 1-9-2 stretch, culminating in a home sweep against Topeka (getting outscored 9-1 in the two games), the Wildcats have put pulled themselves up by the bootstraps to get 11 points in the past 6 games on the road, sweeping Springfield twice and splitting a series in Topeka.
The additions of Chad Hudson, Augie Hoffman, Sean Coffey, Anthony Iaquinto, and Adam Kuhn have added some positive attitudes, scoring punch, strong defense, and increased physical play. In 8 games since being traded from St. Louis, Hudson has tallied 6 goals and 5 assists. Hoffman, more known for his defensive prowess than his scoring, has two goals and is a +6. Coffey is a +3 with 3 assists. Kuhn is the NAHL's penalty minute leader with 97 (all in a Motor City uniform), and scored a goal in the last game against Springfield. Iaquinto, while noted for his fists and big hits, had a goal and two assists in his debut series this past weekend in Springfield.
Now that the ground has been made up on Springfield, it's time to set focus on St. Louis. They're ahead of the Wildcats by quite a margin near the top of the division (Topeka passed them with a win over Alaska on Wednesday), but the Wildcats face them twice this weekend. Splitting against the Roadrunners, I see no reason why the Cats can't do the same, and perhaps even do better, against the Bandits.
The two teams have faced each other twice this season, both on the road back in early October. The Bandits took the first game by a 5-3 score, then overcame a 3-0 deficit to win game number two by a score of 7-5. However, a lot has changed since then. The Wildcats have added six new players (the five aforementioned, plus defenseman Tyler Krueger), while the Bandits have brought in several as well, including former Springfield defenseman Dan Weiss who had been in the USHL. Weiss' first game as a Bandit will likely be this weekend.
A familiar face will be seeing the Wildcats again tonight, as Shaun Jameson makes his return to Wichita Falls, wearing enemy colors. Wichita Falls Times Record News Sports Editor Nick Gholson had an excellent article on his return in today's sports section.
BY THE NUMBERS
STL Goals per Game: 3.96
WF Goals per Game: 3.05
STL Goals Allowed per Game: 2.46
WF Goals Allowed per Game: 3.64
STL Penalty Minutes per Game: 24.3
WF Penalty Minutes per Game: 31.5
STL Power Play: 17.1% (6th)
WF Power Play: 19.6% (1st)
STL Penalty Kill: 85.2% (13th)
WF Penalty Kill: 78.5% (18th)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Wichita Falls
Anthony Iaquinto: three points in two games, but could have his hands full and his gloves off going up against some tough guys in Jameson, Tyler Elbrecht, and Jordan Bourgonje.
The trio of Coffey, Hoffman, and Hudson: they will most certainly want to put on a show against their old mates.
St. Louis
Clinton Bourbonais and Andrew Hamburg: tied for second in the league in scoring, these two, with Grant Gorczyca, pack most of the scoring punch for the Bandits.
Shaun Jameson: former friends and fans become foes as the talented tough guy defenseman makes his return. Only two former Wildcats have ever had to come and play in the KYC in the regular season as a member of an opposing team: Cal Heeter and Adam Krefski (note: this does not count Seth Reda, who played for the Wichita Falls Rustlers and then came and played against the Wildcats as a member of the Fairbanks Ice Dogs).
Game time is 7:05 pm. As usual, if you can't be at the arena, you can see the game on the B2 Network, or get our free online audio feed at WFWildcatsHockey.com
By the way, responding to the previous comment requesting my thoughts on the Adam Sponseller-for-Iaquinto trade, so far I like it. IQ is a physical presence on the ice and has put some points on the board. He fits in well with the guys on the team and has a year of eligibility remaining. His skating could use a little work, but overall, he's good and the deal is working well for the Cats.
Speaking of whom, Adam Sponseller makes his debut tonight for the Motor City Machine versus the Marquette Rangers. It's Sponseller's first game back in his home state of Michigan since being traded from the Traverse City North Stars, while his good friend Jameson plays his first game in Texas since the trade to St. Louis. Odd how these things work out, isn't it?
First off, the Wildcats have made their way up from the litter box of the division with 5 wins and an overtime loss over the past three weeks. After a 1-9-2 stretch, culminating in a home sweep against Topeka (getting outscored 9-1 in the two games), the Wildcats have put pulled themselves up by the bootstraps to get 11 points in the past 6 games on the road, sweeping Springfield twice and splitting a series in Topeka.
The additions of Chad Hudson, Augie Hoffman, Sean Coffey, Anthony Iaquinto, and Adam Kuhn have added some positive attitudes, scoring punch, strong defense, and increased physical play. In 8 games since being traded from St. Louis, Hudson has tallied 6 goals and 5 assists. Hoffman, more known for his defensive prowess than his scoring, has two goals and is a +6. Coffey is a +3 with 3 assists. Kuhn is the NAHL's penalty minute leader with 97 (all in a Motor City uniform), and scored a goal in the last game against Springfield. Iaquinto, while noted for his fists and big hits, had a goal and two assists in his debut series this past weekend in Springfield.
Now that the ground has been made up on Springfield, it's time to set focus on St. Louis. They're ahead of the Wildcats by quite a margin near the top of the division (Topeka passed them with a win over Alaska on Wednesday), but the Wildcats face them twice this weekend. Splitting against the Roadrunners, I see no reason why the Cats can't do the same, and perhaps even do better, against the Bandits.
The two teams have faced each other twice this season, both on the road back in early October. The Bandits took the first game by a 5-3 score, then overcame a 3-0 deficit to win game number two by a score of 7-5. However, a lot has changed since then. The Wildcats have added six new players (the five aforementioned, plus defenseman Tyler Krueger), while the Bandits have brought in several as well, including former Springfield defenseman Dan Weiss who had been in the USHL. Weiss' first game as a Bandit will likely be this weekend.
A familiar face will be seeing the Wildcats again tonight, as Shaun Jameson makes his return to Wichita Falls, wearing enemy colors. Wichita Falls Times Record News Sports Editor Nick Gholson had an excellent article on his return in today's sports section.
BY THE NUMBERS
STL Goals per Game: 3.96
WF Goals per Game: 3.05
STL Goals Allowed per Game: 2.46
WF Goals Allowed per Game: 3.64
STL Penalty Minutes per Game: 24.3
WF Penalty Minutes per Game: 31.5
STL Power Play: 17.1% (6th)
WF Power Play: 19.6% (1st)
STL Penalty Kill: 85.2% (13th)
WF Penalty Kill: 78.5% (18th)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Wichita Falls
Anthony Iaquinto: three points in two games, but could have his hands full and his gloves off going up against some tough guys in Jameson, Tyler Elbrecht, and Jordan Bourgonje.
The trio of Coffey, Hoffman, and Hudson: they will most certainly want to put on a show against their old mates.
St. Louis
Clinton Bourbonais and Andrew Hamburg: tied for second in the league in scoring, these two, with Grant Gorczyca, pack most of the scoring punch for the Bandits.
Shaun Jameson: former friends and fans become foes as the talented tough guy defenseman makes his return. Only two former Wildcats have ever had to come and play in the KYC in the regular season as a member of an opposing team: Cal Heeter and Adam Krefski (note: this does not count Seth Reda, who played for the Wichita Falls Rustlers and then came and played against the Wildcats as a member of the Fairbanks Ice Dogs).
Game time is 7:05 pm. As usual, if you can't be at the arena, you can see the game on the B2 Network, or get our free online audio feed at WFWildcatsHockey.com
By the way, responding to the previous comment requesting my thoughts on the Adam Sponseller-for-Iaquinto trade, so far I like it. IQ is a physical presence on the ice and has put some points on the board. He fits in well with the guys on the team and has a year of eligibility remaining. His skating could use a little work, but overall, he's good and the deal is working well for the Cats.
Speaking of whom, Adam Sponseller makes his debut tonight for the Motor City Machine versus the Marquette Rangers. It's Sponseller's first game back in his home state of Michigan since being traded from the Traverse City North Stars, while his good friend Jameson plays his first game in Texas since the trade to St. Louis. Odd how these things work out, isn't it?
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
A Three-Point Split in Topeka
The Wildcats won one and lost one over the weekend against the Roadrunners, a 5-4 shootout loss on Friday and a 4-3 shootout victory on Saturday. The three points the team picked up help keep their hot streak alive, tallying 7 points in their last four games after dropping six in a row.
Both games saw the Wildcats coming back from two-goal deficits. On Friday, Chad Hudson continued his great play with a first period goal to put the Wildcats up 1-0, but Topeka struck back with three in a row before the Wildcats got on the board again late in the second with Hudson's second of the night, a power play goal to cut the deficit to 3-2. Less than a minute into the third period, Hudson struck again for the eighteenth hat trick in Wildcats' history, knotting things at three. Topeka struck back with a power play goal of their own midway through the period, but Wildcats' captain Brett Hartung evened it up with 3:46 to go with the Wildcats' third power play goal of the night. After a scoreless overtime, the game went to a shootout. Kyle Delaurell was the lone goal scorer for the Wildcats in the shootout, which the Roadrunners won 2-1, for a final score of 5-4.
Saturday night, things looked bleak early for the Wildcats, with Topeka scoring two goals in the first period, but Kyle Delaurell kept things close as the first period ended, scoring his team-leading ninth goal of the season, making it a 2-1 game. This was followed late in the second period with the game-tying marker from Brett Hartung, setting the score at 2-all. Topeka netted what they hoped would be the game-winner with under seven minutes to go, but Hartung had other plans, re-tying the game at 3 on a power play goal with 2:55 remaining. For the second night in a row, and for the third time in two weeks for the Wildcats, the game went to a shootout. This time, it was the Wildcats on the positive end of things, with goals being scored by Delaurell and Zach Rourke, winning the shootout 2-1, and the game 4-3. Goaltender Mike Jarboe was named second star of the game for his efforts in goal, stopping 47 of 50 shots in the game and 5 of 6 in the shootout.
The Wildcats' next game will be Friday December 5, in Springfield, IL. I'll have a preview tomorrow night once we arrive in Illinois.
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