WICHITA FALLS, TX- The Wichita Falls Warriors (4-4-0-2) score five times in the first annual teddy bear toss game and hand the New Mexico Ice Wolves (2-9-1-0) their ninth straight loss in a 5-2 victory.
It was a back and forth first period with several chances for both sides but goaltenders Owen Bartoszkiewicz for Wichita Falls and Henrik Laursen for New Mexico stood tall in between the pipes. The Ice Wolves would strike first and take a 1-0 18:23 into the first period and carry the one goal lead to the second period.
After a scoreless first period for the Warriors, fans were still anxious for the first teddy bear toss goal. They would not have to wait that much longer as William Lawson-Body (1) would get the pass from Ryan Robinson (5) and score his first career North American Hockey League goal to send the teddy bears onto the ice and tie the game 1-1 5:50 into the second. Then the Warriors would take the lead when Owen Baumgartner (1) scored his first goal of the season in his first game as a Warrior 17:34 into the second period. Wichita Falls would take a 2-1 lead into the locker room and into the third period.
The Ice Wolves would tie the game 2-2 early into the third period. The Warriors would quickly respond and take their lead back as Luke Panchisin (1) would get the assist from Alex Walker (2) and score his first career NAHL goal and put the Warriors up 3-2. With just under ten minutes remaining in the final frame the Warriors would go on the power play and score off of the face-off just five seconds into the man advantage to extend the lead to 4-2 courtesy of Adisen Brueck (4). Nick Lanigan (4) would add an empty net goal to give the Warriors a 5-2 victory over New Mexico on Friday night.
Owen Bartoszkiewicz (3-2-0-1) recorded the win for Wichita Falls, he recorded 31 saves on 33 shots faced. Henrik Laursen (0-5-1-0) recorded the loss for New Mexico, he recorded 36 saves on 40 shots faced.
Next up, the Warriors look for the weekend sweep over the Ice Wolves, as the two South Division foes meet again on Saturday, December 19th at the Kay Yeager Coliseum. Puck drop is at 7:05 pm.
