Stars vs. Coyotes Hockey

Stars' Krystofer Barch (13) is thrown to the ice by Coyotes' Paul Bissonnette (12) during a NHL hockey game at American Airlines Center on Dec. 26, 2010 in Dallas.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


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The Dallas Stars battle the Phoenix Coyotes during a NHL hockey game at American Airlines Center on Dec. 26, 2010 in Dallas.

Named in this slideshow are:   Jamie Benn, Ed Jovanovsk, Brandon Segal, Vernon Fiddler, Loui Eriksson, Scottie Upshall, Jason LaBarbera, Mike Ribeiro, Kari Lehtonen, Krystofer Barch, Paul Bissonnette, Brenden Morrow, Sami Lepisto, Ray Whitney.

Dallas Stars vs. Calgary Hockey

Calgary captain Jarome Iginla (12) tries to see through the blood to land a counter-punch on Stars' Jamie Benn (14) during an NHL hockey game at the American Airlines Center on Dec. 23, 2010 in Dallas.
photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News See a larger version of this slideshow. Calgary battles the Stars during an NHL hockey game at the American Airlines Center on Dec. 23, 2010 in Dallas. Named in this slideshow are:   Miikka Kiprusoff, Mark Giordano, Kari Lehtonen, Matt Niskanen, Matt Stajan, Tom Kostopoulos, Jamie Benn, Jarome Iginla, Steve Ott, Niklas Hagman, Curtis Glencross, Mike Ribeiro, Robyn Regehr, Jeff Woywitka and Brendan Morrison.

Stars vs. Canadiens hockey

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (32) blocks a shot from the Canadiens during an NHL hockey game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on Dec. 21, 2010.


Stars captain Brenden Morrow (10) plays against the Montreal Canadiens despite a broken nose during an NHL hockey game at the American Airlines Center.




Stars Brian Sutherby (20) and Canadiens P.K. Subban (76) fight during an NHL hockey game in Dallas.


Stars Brian Sutherby (20) throws Canadiens P.K. Subban (76) to the ice during a fight at an NHL hockey game at the American Airlines Center.


Stars Jamie Benn (14) scores a goal against Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) as Josh Gorges (26) approaches during an NHL hockey game in Dallas.


Stars Jamie Benn (14) and Stephane Robidas (3) celebrate Benn's goal against the Canadiens during an NHL hockey game in Dallas.


Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (32) saves a shot on goal by Canadiens Max Pacioretty (67) as Jeff Woywitka (44) follows during an NHL hockey game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

Catters' schoolin'

Wildcatters's Moises Gutierrez (No. 39, left) checks Mississippi Sea Wolves' Lance Monych (No. 18, right) during an ECHL hockey game at Ford Arena in Beaumont on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2007.


Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise


Local grade school students cheer before a hockey game between the Wildcatters and Mississippi Sea Wolves at Ford Arena. The team-sponsored event helps students prepare for an upcoming TAKS test through applied science.


Wildcatters' Brandon Benedict (No. 26) stretches for the puck as Mississippi Sea Wolves' Jason Tejchma (No. 6) gives chase during an ECHL hockey game at Ford Arena.




Wildcatters goalie Anton Khudobin blocks a shot with his foot during an ECHL hockey game against the Mississippi Sea Wolves at Ford Arena. The Catters remain in first place for the entire ECHL.

Wildcatters keep lead

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Wildcatters' Jonathan Paiement (No. 94, right) and Gwinnett's Derek Nesbitt (No. 17, left) battle for the puck during an ECHL hockey game at Ford Arena in Beaumont on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007.


Wildcatters' Marc Fulton (No. 23, left) and Gwinnett's Jon Sitko (No. 24, right) slam into the glass behind Gwinnett's goal during an ECHL hockey game.



Wildcatters' Anton Khudobin (No. 35. left) blocks a shot while Jordie Preston (No. 17, right) moves in to assist during an ECHL hockey game against Gwinnett.


Wildcatters' Michael Grenzy (No. 3, top) flips the puck over the leg of Gwinnett's Dan Turple (No. 38, bottom) for a goal during an ECHL hockey game at Ford Arena in Beaumont. The Wildcatters won the game 3-2 and keep the ECHL South lead.

Stick r shock

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Hockey sticks feature wood and composite as well as right and left handed blades in the Wildcatters locker room at Ford Arena in Beaumont on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007. The Wildcatters hockey team has a $60,000 budget for a variety of professional hockey sticks.


Hockey sticks are stacked together near the bench during a practice session at Ford Arena. Bigger, stronger and faster players shoot pucks harder and break more sticks.




Hockey stick handles are often wrapped with special tape to improve the players grip. Players can easily identify their sticks by the handle alone.


Spare hockey sticks await use at Ford Arena. The team has already broken around 35 sticks since training began in October.


Most hockey sticks feature graphite or other composite shafts. These are more flexible for better power and accuracy, but tend to break easier.




Wildcatters' goal tender Scott Savich blocks a shot with his chest instead of his stick during practice at Ford Arena. If the goalie's stick breaks, the closest teammate immediately surrenders his stick to keep the goal protected.


Please read "Wildcatters budget $60K for sticks..." by Christopher Dabe.

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It's over, baby

Alexander Huff, 7 months, of Beaumont supports the Wildcatters' before an ECHL playoff hockey against Gwinnett game at Ford Arena in Beaumont on Wednesday, April 18, 2007.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Florida's Everblades declawed the Wildcatters 4-3 in overtime on Friday in Florida. The game ended the Wildcatters' bid for the championship. They'll return to Ford Arena next year to try again.

Catters in trouble

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Wildcatters' Mark Rooneem (No. 11, left) tries to hide the puck in his spray as he shoots at Florida's Craig Kowalski (No. 33, right) during a ECHL hockey playoff game at Ford Arena in Beaumont on Monday, April 30, 2007. The Wildcatters lost the game 4-2 and trail 2-3 in the best-of-seven playoff series. The Catters must win the final two games in Florida to advance.

Catters tie it up again

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Wildcatters' Ben Thomson (No. 79, left) scores a goal past Florida's Craig Kowalski (No. 33, right) during an ECHL playoff series hockey game at Ford Park in Beaumont on Saturday, April 28, 2007.


Wildcatters' Mark Rooneem (No. 11, bottom) checks Florida's Franklin MacDonald (No. 9, top) into the glass during an ECHL hockey game. The Wildcatters won the game 3-1 and are tied 2-2 in a best-of-seven ECHL playoff series.



Wildcatters' goalie Matt Yeats (No. 1) blocks a Florida shot during an ECHL hockey game.

The Catters take to the ice tonight (Monday) at 7 p.m. to determine who goes to Florida with the advantage. Please read "Crucial game 5 on tap tonight for Wildcatters" by Chris Dabe.

Wildcatters advance

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Misty Jennings of Beaumont decorates her truck to support the Wildcatters before an ECHL playoff game against Gwinnett at Ford Arena in Beaumont on Friday, April 20, 2007.


Wildcatters' Paul Albers (No. 3, right) draws the penalty for dropping Gwinnett's Matt York (No. 12, left) to the ice during an ECHL playoff game.



Wildcatters' Jonathan Paiement (No. 94, left) gets smashed into the glass by Gwinnett's Brandon Kaleniecki (No. 19, right) during an ECHL playoff game at Ford Arena.



Wildcatters' Kevin Baker (No. 71, left) and Gwinnett's Jamie Milam (No. 6, right) crash into each other and the glass during an ECHL playoff game.



Gwinnett's Dave Caruso (No. 1) watches a deflected puck during an ECHL playoff game against the Texas Wildcatters at Ford Arena.



Wildcatters' celebrate their victory over Gwinnett after a sudden-death overtime goal during an ECHL playoff game at Ford Arena. The goal sent Gwinnett home for the season and spared the Catters a Sunday game.



The Wildcatters advance to the South Division finals against the Florida Everblades. The best-of-seven series begins Tuesday in Florida and returns to Ford Arena on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Catters also have home ice for Game 4 on Saturday and Game 5 (if needed) on Monday.

Catters go 2-1 in playoffs

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Eric Meineke supports the Wildcatters' before an ECHL playoff hockey game against Gwinnett at Ford Arena in Beaumont on Wednesday, April 18, 2007.


Gwinnett's Brandon Kaleniecki (No. 19, bottom) and Dan Turple (No. 38, right) block Wildcatters' Allan Sirois (No. 19, top) from the puck during an ECHL playoff hockey game at Ford Arena.



Wildcatters' Kevin Baker (No. 71, left) throws a punch at Gwinnett's Paul Flache (No. 15, right) during an ECHL playoff hockey game.



Wildcatters' Daniel Sparre (No. 23, center) celebrates a goal against Gwinnett during an ECHL playoff hockey game.


Wildcatters and fans celebrate the sudden death overtime goal while Gwinnett's Joel Stepp (No. 8, bottom) absorbs the loss on the ice after an ECHL playoff hockey game at Ford Arena. The win gives the Wildcatters a 2-1 edge in the best-of-five series.

The puck goes down at 8:05 p.m. tonight (Friday) at Ford Arena in Beaumont. If the Wildcatters win, they advance. If they lose, the final game is at Ford Arena on Sunday.

The loneliest number

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Wildcatters' Matt Yeats (No. 1) makes a save during a ECHL hockey game against Florida at Ford Arena in Beaumont on Friday, March 31, 2007.

The Catters return to Ford Arena tonight (Wednesday) in their first-ever home playoff game. The best-of-five division semifinal playoff series against Gwinnett is currently tied at one game each.

'Catters make history

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Wildcatters' goalie Matt Yeats makes a save with his knee during a ECHL hockey game against Florida at Ford Arena in Beaumont on Friday, March 31, 2007.


Fans react as Wildcatters' Daniel Sparre (No. 23, left) slams Florida's Brad Zancanaro (No. 12, right) into the glass during a ECHL hockey game at Ford Arena. The Wildcatters won the game 4-1 and are in position to win an ECHL division championship for the first time in team history.

Please read, "'Catters complete sweep of contenders" by Chris Dabe.

Wildcatters clinch playoff spot

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

A linesman lands an elbow on the head of Florida's Derek Damon (center) as Wildcatters' Keith McWilliams (right) escapes a check during a ECHL hockey game at Ford Arena in Beaumont on Saturday, March 30, 2007.


Wildcatters' Olivier Proulx (No. 14, left) and Florida's Mike Card (No. 5, right) get tangled on the boards during a ECHL hockey game at Ford Arena. The Wildcatters' 3-2 win moves them into 1st place past Florida and clinches a playoff spot.

Please read, "Wildcatters clinch playoffs" by Perryn Keys.

Battle cats

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Wildcatters goaltender Matt Yeats saves a shot from Augusta's Shane Hynes (No. 14, right) during a ECHL hockey game at Ford Park in Beaumont on Saturday, March 17, 2007.

Yes, that's refraction from the top of the protective glass. It's kind of cool though.


Wildcatters' Ben Thomson (No. 94, top) looks to pass during a ECHL hockey game against Augusta at Ford Park. Thomson, who is in his rookie season, recently came from the Houston Aeros.



Augusta goaltender Dave McKee (No. 30, bottom) blocks the shot of Wildcatters' Olivier Proulx (No. 14, left) as Eric Lundberg (No. 36, right) tries to stop the play during a ECHL hockey game.

Wildcatters slip on ice

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Wildcatter's Jonathan Paiement (No. 94, left) celebrates getting a goal past Stockton's Devan Dubnyk (No. 40, center) during an ECHL hockey game at Ford Arena in Beaumont on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007.


Wildcatter fans James Roberson (from left to right), Sandra Roberson and Wynona Stevens, all from Port Arthur, cheer during an ECHL hockey game against Stockton.


Wildcatter's Leon Hayward (No. 17, bottom) grimaces as Stockton's Tim O'Connell (No. 21, top) rams a skate blade into his hip during an ECHL hockey game at Ford Arena.


Wildcatter's goaltender Matt Yeats (No. 1, center) blocks the shot of Stockton's Jim Dahl (No. 14, right) toward James Sanford (No. 22, left) during an ECHL hockey game.


Gusher, the Texas Wildcatters' mascot, is slingshotted on an inner tube through a goal during an ECHL hockey game intermission.


Wildcatter's goaltender Matt Yeats (No. 1, left) gets hit in the head by the metal bars of the goal as Stockton's Stephen Slonina (No. 5, right) crashes into the goal during an ECHL hockey game.


Wildcatter's James Sanford (No. 22, left) and Jonathan Paiement (No. 94, right) open-ice check Stockton's Liam Reddox (No. 10, center) during an ECHL hockey game at Ford Arena. The Wildcatters lost 5-4.