Wichita Falls Wildcats fire John Bowkus

Back on Thursday night, the Wichita Falls Wildcats have fired head coach John Bowkus because of a disappointing season to this point. Coming off the near upset of the Topeka Roadrunners in last year's South Division Semifinals.

They was high hopes going into this season as that Wichita Falls was finally able to go up against the Topeka Roadrunners and the St. Louis Bandits for the South Division Title and a shot at this year's Robertson Cup Championship which will be in Wenatchee, Washington this season (Home of the Wenatchee Wild).

Team Owner Ray Davoult had no hard feelings for Bowkus who has been with the team 2004-05 season, he's been with the team since but it was felt like it was time for a chance and send the team in a new direction so the team can be more competitive and more successful in the post season and eventually get into the Robertson Cup Championship.

"John is a great friend and a great coach," said Wildcats owner Roy Davoult. "It was time for a change. I will support John in his future endeavors". He will be replaced by Mike Flanagan has a Robertson Cup Championship in his career when he was an assistant coach for the St. Louis Bandits and he was also the former head coach of the Kenai River Brown Bears.

Before coming into the North American Hockey League, He had experience with the Central States Hockey League (CSHL) which is one of 6 Jr. A Tier 3 leagues across the USA. He was the head coach of the Grand Rapids Owls for 5 seasons, and getting to the playoffs in 3 of those 5 years.

"Mike has some great coaching abilities and deserves a chance to become the future head coach of the Wildcats". said Davoult, he later went on to say "I've enjoyed working with John over the past 2 seasons, said Flanigan. "While it's under difficult circumstances, it's still a great opportunity".

The Wildcats plan to make him the interim head coach for the rest of the regular season and then will look for a permanent replacement over the off season depending on how the rest of the regular season goes and whatever or not the team makes the playoffs.

Going on to the weekend, the Wildcats were 10 points back of the Tornado and Jr. Blues who were tied for 3rd. For new head coach Mike Flanagan, it was a good start as the Wildcats sweeped the Tornado over the weekend with a 4-2 win where a 3 goal rally in the 3rd period helped them win.

While today's game just wrapped up with a 6-5 win today with a 3 goal 1st period to help them pull the gap within 6 points of both the Tornado and the Jr. Blues. However, the Texas Tornado have 4 games in hand against the Wildcats, so the Tornado will have a chance to pull away from the Wildcats in the last 2 months of the season.

Here's a look at the Wichita Falls Wildcats Schedule and Stats.

Wichita Falls Wildcats Schedule: http://nahl.stats.pointstreak.com/teamschedule.html?teamid=13176&seasonid=4527

Wichita Falls Wildcats Team Stats: http://nahl.stats.pointstreak.com/teamplayerstats.html?teamid=13176&seasonid=4527