KFDM COOP Posted February 18, 2007 Report Posted February 18, 2007 Wildcatters hang 7 on Ice Pilots BEAUMONT - No algebraic equation is needed for Texas Wildcatters coach Malcolm Cameron. He came up with a much more simple way to figure out what his team needs to make the ECHL playoffs."We figure we need at least 90 points to make the playoffs," Cameron said Saturday after his team's 7-3 victory over the Pensacola Ice Pilots at Ford Arena."That's our goal. Once we get 90 points, I feel very comfortable we'll have a playoff spot."Texas has 20 games left on its 72-game schedule and is 23 points shy of the 90-point mark. The Wildcatters can get two more points in the last of three straight games against Pensacola at 2 p.m. today.The Wildcatters lead the eight-team South Division. The top five teams make the playoffs. Texas leads sixth-place Charlotte team 12 points.Teams earn two points for a win and one point for an overtime or shootout loss."Anything less than 90 points, and we'll be sitting there waiting to see what else happens," said forward Kevin Baker. "We'll keep doing what we're doing, and 90 points should guarantee us a playoff spot, and maybe we'll get first place."Baker and Mike Bayrack both had two goals and two assists Saturday. Marco Rosa assisted on four goals.Alex Leavitt had two third-period goals. James Sanford scored one in the first period. Jonathan Paiement had a plus-5 rating.Texas converted on one of five power plays, although one goal was scored two seconds after a power play expired.Goalie Matt Yeats stopped 24 of 27 shots. Pensacola scored its first goal when Yeats reached up and the puck deflected off his glove and bounced into the net.Pensacola's other two goals came during a pair of its seven power plays.The Texas victory avenged a 5-4 overtime loss suffered one night earlier against Pensacola, which has the fewest wins (15) and points (32) in the 25-team league."We've struggled against the lower teams in the standings because maybe we figure we don't have to work as hard, but I think you have to work harder." Cameron said. "Those teams that are behind you in the standings want to beat you so bad that it's a feather in their cap, so they raise their game to a level they might not bring all the time."The Wildcatters have won 29 of 52 games and have 67 points. Gwinnett and Florida are tied for second with 64 points.The combined 12-point effort from Baker, Bayrack and Rosa was their best this season. "When I recruited my team this summer, we built it around Marco because he signed first and I knew him best," Cameron said. "Then with Bayrack's speed and Baker's finish, it's worked out real well for them and the team."The trio played on the same line at the beginning of the season. Call-ups to the American Hockey League and a midseason slump caused Cameron to juggle his top line."It helps to break them up for a while, and actually it worked out well," Cameron said. "Brandin Cote was playing with Bayrack and Baker, and they were doing well. Rosa was playing with Leavitt and (Olivier) Proulx, and they were doing well."Cote is now with the AHL's Norfolk Admirals but is expected to return soon. Rosa said he felt comfortable with Baker and Bayrack."Sometimes you take a step back to see what you're missing," Rosa said. "We did that and came back and we've been doing good since we came together."Cameron also lauded the play of forward Jason Beeman."He did all the things tonight that win you playoff games," Cameron said. "He blocked shots. He hit. He forechecked. He had great speed. He did all the dirty things that win you games. We need more of that."Signing dayAll Wildcatters players will be available for autographs today at the first of two upcoming full-team autograph sessions. The second one will be Feb. 25.
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