Wildcatters Shut Out Ice Pilots 7-0

[hockeyfan]

Pensacola, FL— Danick Bouchard had two goals, including the first of the game 4:16 into the first period and the Wildcatters (3-1-0-1) never looked back en route to a 7-0 South Division victory Friday night in Pensacola.

Bouchard slammed a one-timer from Marco Rosa past Pensacola goaltender Doug Groenestege to begin the scoring for the Wildcatters less than five minutes into the contest.

The game remained a one-goal Texas advantage for nearly ten minutes of play until veteran John McNabb found the back of the net with a power play goal at 13:57, taking a feed from Rosa and teammate Dan Welch.

Former University of Michigan defenseman Tim Cook scored his first professional goal for the Wildcatters off a feed from Ross Carlson less than three minutes later and the ‘Catters would take a commanding 3-0 lead into the first intermission.

The Wildcatters continued to find ways to score in the second period as Carlson, a tenacious penalty killer, slipped past the Ice Pilots defense to steal a shorthanded goal for Texas 8:05 into the stanza.

A trio of Texas rookies combined to widen the lead as Brandon Benedict scored on the man advantage at 15:13. A.J. Thelen and Scott Champagne were attributed helpers on the goal and Texas would carry a 5-0 lead into the third period.

Benedict would return the favor to Thelen as Thelen gathered his second point of the night on his first goal of the season when he struck at 12:44, increasing the Texas lead to 6-0.

Bouchard’s second goal of the night rounded out the scoring for the Wildcatters. Jonathan Paiement, who finished +3 on the night, gathered the assist as the ‘Catters power play struck for the fourth time in ten chances. 

Pensacola mustered only 19 shots on the evening but pressured Texas goalie Peter Aubry several times as the 30-year old goaltender collected the first Texas shutout of the season.

“We played very well defensively tonight,†said Texas Head Coach Malcolm Cameron, “Peter played a great game, but the guys did a great job of keeping their players to the outside, blocking shots, and not giving up odd-man rushes.â€

“I’m very pleased with tonight’s effort, but it’s just one game out of 72. They’ll bring their best shot at us tomorrow and we need to be ready.â€

Since their season-opening loss at Augusta the Wildcatters have yet to lose again in regulation, going 3-0-0-1.

The Wildcatters and Ice Pilots face off again tomorrow evening at 7:05. The game will be available on B2 Networks Pay Per View or check out the live audio feed by following the link to B2 Audio on wildcattershockey.com.