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Wasilla @ Texarkana, Part Deux
Bandits blank Wasilla again
Friday, January 27, 2006 9:09 AM CST
By LOUIE AVERY
Texarkana Gazette
Don’t mess with Casey Haines.
The Texarkana Bandits’ team captain was driven hard into the boards Thursday night, and seconds later new enforcer Anthony Becker retaliated. The Bandits used the incident as motivation and rolled over Wasilla at the Four States Fairground Entertainment Center, 4-0.
Wasilla was already in trouble with Riley Gill in net. His second straight shutout over the Spirit gives him five for the season which ties him for the NAHL lead.
Texarkana (26-10-2) moves within three points of the Texas Tornado with the win, but the Tornado plays Wasilla twice this weekend. The Bandits will be back in action Saturday night at the Fairgrounds against Wichita Falls.
“Casey is a tough kid and hitting is part of the game,” said Texarkana coach Jon Cooper. “Obviously when they go after one of your top players it’s a wakeup call.
“I thought we played pretty good. I’m not as concerned with putting the puck in the net as keeping the puck out of the net. When you get close to the playoffs, defense is what wins.”
Haines was involved in both of Texarkana’s first two scores.
After taking a pass from Pat Maroon, Haines smashed a shot that Spirit goalie Andrew Volkening appeared to stop, but the puck bounced off his padding and rolled into the net at 9:06.
Cody Donati made it 2-0 only seconds after Haines was hammered into the boards by Wasilla’s Rob Thomas and had to leave the ice. With Becker in the penalty box, Donati scored for the second straight night with Nic Polaski and Ryan Divito assisting.
The game turned into Thursday night at the fights in the second period with three bouts, all clearly won by Texarkana players.
Polaski made it 3-0 early in the second period, sending Volkening to the bench early for the second straight game. Devan Hartigan replaced Volkening and stopped all eight shots he faced during the remainder of that period.
Hartigan played well the rest of the way, allowing an unassisted goal to Pat Knowleton at 3:04 of the final period.
Wasilla 0 0 0 — 0
Texarkana 2 1 1 — 4
First Period_1, Texarkana, Casey Haines (Pat Maroon, Anthony Becker), 9:06. 2, Texarkana, Cody Donati (Nic Polaski, Tyler Trudell), 15:04. Penalties_Trevor Tolibas, Was. (slashing), 0:46; Anthony Becker, Txk. (roughing), 13:30; Rob Thomas, Was. (roughing), 13:30; Haines, Txk. (hooking), 19:52.
Second Period_3, Texarkana, Polaski (Donati, Ryan Divito), 2:44. Penalties_Divito, Txk. (fighting, high sticking), 6:38; Paul Campbell, Was. (fighting), 6:38; Ryan Blair, Txk. (fighting), 9:51; Daniel Siira, Was. (fighting), 9:51; Pat Knowleton, Txk. (fighting), 12:54; Eric Dahl, Was. (fighting), 12:54.
Third Period_4, Texarkana, Knowleton (unassisted), 3:04. Penalties_Mike Levendusky, Txk. (roughing) 3:16; Tolibas, Was. (roughing), 3:16;
Shots on goal_Wasilla 6-12-7_25, Texarkana 9-9-16_34
Powerplay opportunities_ Wasilla (0 for 3), Texarkana (0 for 1).
Goaltenders_Andrew Volkening, Wasilla (10 shots, 7 saves), Devan Hartigan, Wasilla (24 shots, 23 saves); Riley Gill, Texarkana (25 shots, 25 saves).
3 stars_ 1. Gill, Txk.; 2. Donati, Txk.; 3. Polaski,Txk.
A_906
Whoever didn't attend this game, missed a good one.
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