Wildcats @ Bandits

Looking forward to seeing some Wildcats fans at the game tonite. However, if you don't make the trek, please do a game thread. I really miss reading these.

Anything for you Moe.

Have fun tonight and watch out for Wrencher and Hippy. (I hear they drink).

My son and a friend of his may show up at the barn. They went to the Stars game this afternoon. And they had been given tickets to the Mavericks game tonight too, but were thinking about going to watch the Wildcats play instead.

No offense to my Bandit friends, but I was kinda hoping that Gill was still on "school break"

Looks like the Bandits take an early lead.

Lewicki assist by Johnston.

Gotta run, somebody take up the slack for Moe.

Good to meet Old Hippy, Bussey, Center Ice and to see Wrencher again. Class acts. And Old Hippy thanks for the bid on the jersey, sorry you didn't win it.

Justpuckinaround wrote:

No offense to my Bandit friends, but I was kinda hoping that Gill was still on "school break"

Gill definitely not on a break tonight. He had to stop several breakaways by Ochoa.

Game started out with both teams going hard. Close through 2 periods. Bandits shuffled a few players around with Jones back as forward tonight. Lewi scored two and wanted the third. Lots of hard play right in front of the goal. Riley Gill with an assist to Pat Maroon on a awesome breakawy shot from the left faceoff dot.

One fight with Casey Haimes vs #14. Haines on top but only landed one shot that knocked / pushed wildcat to the ice. Advantage Bandits.

Wrencher and those guys can give you more on the Wichita side of the puck.

Thanks Cap'n. You're right about the fight, but if Cardwell(# 18, BTW) could have gotten his arm out of his jersey, it would have been a different story. Oh well, that's how stuff goes. The Cats played really hard through the first 2 periods, with Ochoa and Kraemer both getting several good chances, with Sexton getting in on the act, too. Just couldn't solve Riley Gill. Tip of the hat to him for an awesome game. Good clean, hard hitting game... lots closer than the score. Goaltending was the difference, but the D let Chooch down a couple of times in front of the net, allowing the Bandits to get rebounds and take the 2nd shot. Cats continue to be unable to get bodies and the puck in front of the net at the same time. All in all a good game.

Shouts to Moebandits, BP, Cap'n Bandits, and Slimbodine, and Twinblade as well. Great to be able to put faces with the screen names. We had a great time at the Barn. The "bid" Captain Bandits was referring to happened when, during the jersey auction being held at the Barn, I waved at a couple of the Wildcat scratch players. I hadn't realized what was happening until Cap'n taped me on the shoulder and said I should be careful waving my arm around. I wasn't really worried, as there was no way the announcer could have seen me at that distance through ya'll's glass . Apparently the nite before, the doors to the barn were left open, and with the rain all day in TXA, by the time we arrived, the glass all around the rink looked like a shower door. When we scored, I pounded the glass and got drenched as a result.
I hope that as many of the TXA folks as possible will make the trip to the KYC this weekend. Great to meet ya'll.

Good to meet you folks in Texarkana. Really was a great game through 2 periods. We have got to get our second goalie (Netrefa) healthy. Billick is a great goaltender but he needs a rest once in a while.

Sounds like a lame excuse to me-
Billick has had the load all season, what makes it so different for him now,
and the coaches never give Netrefa a chance to play anyway.
Also, if you can't put it in the net, you cant win.

puckit wrote:

Sounds like a lame excuse to me- Billick has had the load all season, what makes it so different for him now, and the coaches never give Netrefa a chance to play anyway. Also, if you can't put it in the net, you cant win.

You just had to go and start shit didn't you. I wasa simply making a point NOT an excuse, Netrefa has played several games until he got injured in Alaska and will play when he is well. Jeez!

Wrencher, Hippy, Mrs. Hippy -- enjoyed watching the game with y'all.

Most excellent to spend time with Slim and Lady Friend, also. Hope y'all have a safe trip home. We'll see about that Vince prediction.

I got there late (as usual) and missed the Casey Haines non-fight and the first goal. The Barn was a'rockin' with over 3,000 in attendance. Very loud, enthusiastic crowd. Nice to finally see. Hopefully after Saturday's game, the fans will continue to support the team in that manner. AND RILEY FINALLY GOT AN ASSIST!!!! I have been wishing that for him all season.

See everyone Wednesday nite.


Bandits stretch winning streak to four
Monday, January 30, 2006 10:26 AM CST

By LOUIE AVERY
Texarkana Gazette

Wichita Falls’ Adam Cardwell did the Texarkana Bandits a big favor Saturday night at the Four States Fairgrounds Entertainment Center.

Cardwell challenged Bandits team captain Casey Haines to a fight in the opening seconds of the game, and Haines quickly got the record crowd of 3,431 into the contest with a one-punch knockdown. Sixty minutes later the Wildcats were beaten into submission, 5-1.

Veteran goaltender Riley Gill was Texarkana’s first star for the third straight game as the Bandits extended their winning streak to four games. The win allowed the Bandits to keep pace with the Texas Tornado, which rallied for two third period goals in a 3-2 win over Wasilla.

Gill allowed a goal for the first time in 150 minutes, but he was brilliant with 26 saves, including two breakaways by the Wildcats in the second period.

“Riley is the best goalie in the league,” said Texarkana’s leading scorer Anthony Becker, who scored the decisive goal against the Wildcats. “We were breaking out and Ryan Blair got the puck to me. I was able to get past their goalie on his blocking side.”

Wichita Falls had just tied the score on a powerplay goal by Dan Sexton at 12:15 of the first period. Becker’s score came 23 seconds later.

The Wildcats actually dominated the second period, outshooting Texarkana 12-4, but Gill’s two spectacular saves on the breakaways decided Wichita Falls fate.

Texarkana played like champions in the third period, playing most of the 20 minutes on the Wildcats’ end of the ice.

Aaron Lewicki’s second goal of the game gave the Bandits breathing room 67 seconds into the final period. Jason Weeks had a breakaway, and Lewicki rebounded his miss into the net.

Pat Maroon scored Texarkana’s next goal, but it was Gill’s heads up play that led to the score. Wichita Falls was making a line change and Gill passed the puck nearly the length of the ice and Maroon smashed the puck cleanly past a frustrated Tom Billick.

“Gill is really a great goalie,” said Maroon, a junior at Texas High. “I think we’re back and ready to challenge Texas for the title. I know I’m enjoying this season. The atmosphere here in Texarkana is just great.”

Colby Jones scored an unassisted goal at 13:21 for the Bandits, now 27-10-2 on the year.

“Riley has sparked us. We feed off Riley’s play,” said Haines.

The arm jerseys worn by the Bandits were auctioned off Saturday night, and it was evident who Texarkana’s favorite players are with Gill’s jersey going for a record $600. Haines’ and Becker’s jerseys earned another $1,000.

The Bandits will be back in action Wednesday at home against Traverse City.


SUMMARY

Wichita Falls 1 0 0 — 1

Texarkana 2 0 3 — 5

First Period—1, Texarkana, Aaron Lewicki (Justin Johnston), 5:02. 2, Wichita Falls, Dan Sexton (Kyle Kraemer, Chris Ochoa), 12:15. 3, Texarkana, Anthony Becker (Ryan Blair), 12:38. Penalties—Adam Cardwell, WF (fighting), 0:23; Casey Haines, Txk. (fighting), 0:23; Andrew Conboy, WF (high sticking), 4:05; Colby Jones, Txk. (tripping), 11:52; Sexton, WF (slashing), 15:30; Kraemer, WF (delay of game), 17:41; Matt Zuke, Txk. (delay of game), 17:41; Jones, Txk. (slashing), 18:13.

Second Period—None. Penalties—Dan Mendenwaldt, WF (holding), 6:58; Cardwell, WF (hooking), 10:22; Haines, Txk. (slashing), 15:18.

Third Period—4, Texarkana, Lewicki (Jason Weeks), 1:07. 5, Texarkana, Pat Maroon, (Riley Gill), 8:35. 6, Texarkana, Jones (unassisted), 13:21. Penalties—Conboy, WF (holding), 4:46; Lewicki, Txk. (holding), 8:53; Conboy, WF (delay of game), 12:34; Maroon, Txk. (delay of game), 12:34.

Shots on goal—Wichita Falls 10-12-5—27; Texarkana 12-4-14—30.

Powerplay opportunities—Wichita Falls 1 of 4; Texarkana 1 of 5.

Goaltenders—Tom Billick, WF, 30 shots, 25 saves; Gill, 27 shots 26 saves.

3 stars—1. Gill, Txk.; 2. Lewicki, Txk.; 3. Becker, Txk.

A-3,431.


Side Note: Bet the 'Nados are glad they only face Riley one more time in the regular season.

Not tryin to start shit, just stating the facts.

Moe Bandits wrote:

Wichita Falls’ Adam Cardwell did the Texarkana Bandits a big favor Saturday night at the Four States Fairgrounds Entertainment Center. Cardwell challenged Bandits team captain Casey Haines to a fight in the opening seconds of the game, and Haines quickly got the record crowd of 3,431 into the contest with a one-punch knockdown. Sixty minutes later the Wildcats were beaten into submission, 5-1.

Cardwell is a smaller Matthew Baranaby...starts it but really can't back it up. Any time he gets hit I am very pleased since his mom decided to "use expletives" at me for chearing for the TT. Sat next to the parents of #6/(Dennimen?) for Wasilla on Friday night. Had a blast, very friendly people, and as we should; we cheered for our teams/and talked hockey from different viewpoints. When Santa Fe was in town 2 weeks ago, I sat with a couple of their injured/scratched kids and had the same great experience. GO HOCKEY!

puckit wrote:

Not tryin to start shit, just stating the facts.

What facts? He hasn't played because he is injured. As opposed to you saying the coaches never play him.

And I said I was not making excuses just an observation.

OK-so he hasn't played since the injury. I'll give ya that.
But how many games did he play prior to the injury?
That's the facts.

And my observation is:

"if you can't put it in the net, you cant win."

[quote="Jtornado"]

Moe Bandits wrote:

Wichita Falls’ Adam Cardwell did the Texarkana Bandits a big favor Saturday night at the Four States Fairgrounds Entertainment Center. Cardwell challenged Bandits team captain Casey Haines to a fight in the opening seconds of the game, and Haines quickly got the record crowd of 3,431 into the contest with a one-punch knockdown. Sixty minutes later the Wildcats were beaten into submission, 5-1.

Cardwell is a smaller Matthew Baranaby...starts it but really can't back it up. Any time he gets hit I am very pleased since his mom decided to "use expletives" at me for chearing for the TT. Sat next to the parents of #6/(Dennimen?) for Wasilla on Friday night. Had a blast, very friendly people, and as we should; we cheered for our teams/and talked hockey from different viewpoints. When Santa Fe was in town 2 weeks ago, I sat with a couple of their injured/scratched kids and had the same great experience. GO HOCKEY! [/quote

I've seen Cardwell fight several times, and I have to say he usually holds his own, or comes out ahead. The thing is he doesn't back down either. He IS a little guy, though. As I said in a post earlier, if he could have gotten his arm out of his jersey, it would have been a different story.(I also said that's the way things go, before anyone accuses me of whining).

Your pretty funny there JTornado. Calling out Cardwell when you have the biggest "can't back it up" player in the league. Where would wimp King be if he didn't have the goon squad backing him up last year and this year. At least Cardwell will fight you face to face, not come in from the side or behind like King. Cardwell is a good fighter for his size. If he had been able to get his arm out, the fight would have been a different story, but like Hippy said, thats the way it goes. And for the record, it wasn't "a one punch knockdown". Cardwell was trying to get his arm out and got pushed to the ice. The punch didn't even connect. I don't think Haines is a one punch knockout artist.

puckit wrote:

OK-so he hasn't played since the injury. I'll give ya that. But how many games did he play prior to the injury? That's the facts. And my observation is: "if you can't put it in the net, you cant win."

Maybe Wrencher can help me out here cause in all honesty I am not sure when he joined the team but I THINK (not for sure) that it was around Christmas break. If that is the case then he played on the Alaska trip where he got hurt and one or two other games. Sorry I can't be sure but point streak doesn't even show him on our roster so I can't be sure when he joined the team.