News
Date: Jan 09, 2012
'Cats split in New Mexico
The Wildcats picked up a split over the weekend with the New Mexico Mustangs, taking a 6-3 win Friday before losing 3-1 Saturday. Friday's game saw the Wildcats get their second comeback from a three goal deficit to win this season.
Things looked bad after 30 minutes on Friday, as the New Mexico Mustangs jumped out to a 3-0 lead off goals by Jarret Stark, Bill Kent, and Evan Johnston. But the Wildcats' power play came alive when given an opportunity, as the 'Cats put up 6 goals in a 22:15 span.
Tanner Fahlstedt was the offensive star of the night, and got the Wildcats on the board late in the third with a power play goal, assisted by Brad Shumway and Renato Engler for a 3-1 game. In the third, the powerplay struck again, this time with Zach Pochiro scoring from Tucker Poolman and Luke Sandler to cut the deficit to a goal.
The Wildcats tied things with their lone even-strength goal nine minutes into the period. Tanner Fahlstedt took an outlet pass in his own end and marched down the ice, swerving through three defenders upon entering the New Mexico zone and tucked the puck through Jake Stafford's five-hole for a highlight-reel game tying goal.
The powerplay storm kept on rolling as Brennen Parker gave the Wildcats a lead with 4:11 to go, blasting home a cross-ice pass from Sergei Soloviev. 39 seconds later on yet another powerplay, Patrick Yudez got in on the action, tapping home a loose puck in front. With the New Mexico net empty late, Fahlstedt completed the hat trick on the empty net, with Renato Engler and Tyler Hope picking up assists. Both Engler and Brad Shumway had three assists un addition to Fahlstedt's three goals.
The four-goal powerplay effort was a season best for the Wildcats.
Saturday night featured a much quieter game with the Mustangs picking up a 3-1 win. Jayson Angus scored late in the first for an early New Mexico lead, but George Pagonis scored his first NAHL goal in his second game as a Wildcat to tie things up just 39 seconds into the second period.
The scoreboard remained even until 6:00 left in the game when Angus struck again on a two-on-one to give the Mustangs the lead. Tate Rusk added a shorthanded empty-net goal with 12 seconds left to ice the game for the Mustangs.
Jojo Jeanetta was in net for both games, stopping 37/40 on Friday and 32/34 Saturday.
The teams will play a home-and-home series this Saturday and Sunday, with Saturday's game being in Wichita Falls at 7:05 pm. Sunday's game will be an afternoon affair at 1 pm (2 central) in New Mexico.
