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Ak-Sar-Ben Knights Weekly Report

March 6, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


Omaha, NE - The Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights won and lost in the first two games of their season-high five-game home stand but still maintained their hold on fourth place in the West Division of the American Hockey League. The Knights, in their first year in the AHL, are now 27-25-2-7 and lead the Iowa Stars by two points in the standings. The top four teams in each division take part in the Calder Cup Playoffs. The Knights complete the home stand this week. On Tuesday, they host the Rochester Americans at 7:00 p.m. The Amerks are the second oldest team in the AHL, celebrating their 50th season of play. On Saturday, the Knights welcome the Cleveland Barons for their only appearance in Omaha. Game time is 7:00 p.m. The Knights finish the home stand on Sunday when they welcome the top team in the West Division, the Houston Aeros, for a 5:00 p.m. face-off. Of the 19 games that remain in their regular season schedule, seventeen of those games feature West Division opponents. Tickets for all home games are on sale all week at the Civic Auditorium box office from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 422-1212 and at Ticketmaster.com. The box office is open through the opening face-off on game nights.

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:
Friday, March 3: Ak-Sar-Ben Knights 3, Manitoba Moose 2 OT
The Knights wasted no time getting on the board in their final game with the Moose. Eric Nystrom scored off a feed from Dave Moss just 49 seconds into the first period. Manitoba answered with a goal from Craig Darby early in the second but before the period was over, Craig MacDonald had given the Knights the lead back at 2-1. The Moose found a way to tie the game in the third when Matt Craig scored on the powerplay at 3:17. The Knights finally settled the game 1:05 into overtime when Carsen Germyn blew a shot past Sebastien Centomo for his team-leading fifth game-winner of the year. Brent Krahn stopped 21 shots to earn the win.

Sunday, March 5: Peoria Rivermen 5, Ak-Sar-Ben Knights 2
The Knights surrendered the first goal of the game for just the third time in 13 games when Jon DiSalvatore notched a powerplay goal at 4:56. Just 51 seconds later, the Knights answered when Dave Moss again hooked up with Eric Nystrom for a goal that tied the game at one after one. The Rivermen erupted for three goals in the second period to take a 4-1 lead, but before the period was over, Craig MacDonald had answered back to draw the Knights to within 4-2. The Rivermen got the only goal in the third period as Gavin Morgan completed the hat trick into an empty net. Brent Krahn surrendered four goals in 20 shots and took the loss. Curtis McElhinney came in to relieve him and stopped all nine shots he faced.

THE WEEK AHEAD:
DAY/DATE EVENT TIME BROADCAST
Mon., Mar. 6 Practice @ OCA 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Tues., Mar. 7 Morning Skate @ OCA 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Game vs. Rochester 7:00 p.m. 1420 AM, Web, B2
Wed., Mar. 8 Practice @ OCA 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Thurs., Mar. 9 Practice @ OCA 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 10 Practice @ OCA 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 11 Morning Skate @ OCA 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Game vs. Cleveland 7:00 p.m. 1420 AM, Web, B2
Sun., Mar. 12 Game vs. Houston 5:00 p.m. 1420 AM, Web, B2

Legend
OCA--Omaha Civic Auditorium
Web-Free live audio broadcast of game at omahaaksarbenknights.com (Choose "Listen Live" link from home page)
B2-B2 Networks live, pay-per-view webcast, available at omahaaksarbenknights.com for $6 per game by clicking on B2 Networks link.

All times Central time (Subject to change)

OPPONENTS THIS WEEK:
Tuesday, March 7 vs. Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres/Florida Panthers), 7:00 p.m.
Second meeting of two; only meeting in Omaha
The Ak-Sar-Ben Knights play their second and final game of the year against the Americans. The Knights won the first ever meeting between the two clubs, 3-2 at Rochester on February 24th. The Amerks begin the week in sixth place in the North Division with a record of 27-30-2-2, good for 58 points. Rochester has posted a record of 1-8-1-0 in its last ten games. The Amerks are led in scoring by Chris Thorburn who has 21 goals and 25 assists for 46 points. Defenseman Nathan Paetsch and forward Jiri Novotny are tied for second in scoring with 42 points each. Paetsch has a team-best 34 assists. Michael Leighton and Jean-Marc Pelletier share the duties in the Amerks' net. Pelletier has a team best 14 wins in 28 games while Leighton has posted a team best 3.15 goals-against average and a .890 save percentage. Rochester is in the middle of a seven-game road trip.

Saturday, March 11 vs. Cleveland Barons (San Jose Sharks), 7:00 p.m.
Second meeting of two; only meeting in Omaha
The Knights wrap up their schedule against teams from outside the West Division when they take on the Barons. Cleveland sits in seventh place in the North Division with a record of 23-38-2-2, good for 50 points. The Barons are 3-7-0-0 in their last ten games. The Knights won the first ever meeting 4-2 back on January 25th in Cleveland. Rookie Josh Hennessy leads the Barons in scoring with 20 goals and 33 assists for 53 points. The goal total ties him with Steve Bernier and Mike Iggulden for the team lead. Patrick Rissmiller is second in scoring with 51 points including a team-best 36 assists. Nolan Schaefer and Dimitri Patzold are the goaltenders for the Barons. Schaefer leads the team with 12 wins, a 3.37 goals-against average and a .887 save percentage. Cleveland visits Milwaukee on Friday before coming to Omaha.

Sunday, March 12 vs. Houston Aeros (Minnesota Wild), 5:00 p.m.
Sixth meeting of ten; third meeting of five in Omaha
The Ak-Sar-Ben Knights renew acquaintances with the West Division's top team. It's the first time the two teams have played since December 23rd when the Aeros won 4-3 in overtime in Houston. The Knights are 0-2-1-2 in their five previous meetings with the Aeros. Houston begins the week in first place in the West and second overall in the Western Conference with a record of 42-16-1-2, good for 87 points. That's the second highest point total in the AHL. The Aeros have lost two straight but still have won seven of their last ten games. Houston is led by the dynamic duo of Kirby Law and Erik Westrum who rank one-two in AHL scoring. Law has 85 points on 34 goals and 51 assists. Westrum is second in scoring with 29 goals and 55 assists for 84 points. Westrum leads the team and the AHL in assists. The Aeros also boast the AHL's top rookie scorer. Patrick O'Sullivan has a team-best 36 goals and 32 assists for 68 points. And as if that weren't enough firepower, the Aeros' fourth leading scorer, defenseman Curtis Murphy (10-43-53) is second overall in defenseman scoring. Josh Harding plays most of the minutes in the Aeros' net. He has a record of 26-8-0 and a 2.61 goals-against average in 35 games. His .925 save percentage is tied for best in the league. The Aeros host Chicago on Tuesday and Thursday before visiting the Knights.

KNIGHTS NOTES:
Rookie left wing Eric Nystrom scored goals in each game last weekend. In both cases, he was set up by Dave Moss.

Prior to the loss on Sunday, goaltender Brent Krahn had won eight of his last nine starts.

The Knights have played in 29 one-goal games this season, nearly half of their schedule to date. Their record in those games is 11-9-2-7.

The Knights won their first overtime game on Friday, beating Manitoba 3-2. They had lost the two previous games decided in the five-minute overtime period.

TRANSACTIONS:
3/1/06 ADD Adam Pardy (D), recalled from loan to Las Vegas (ECHL)

IN THE COMMUNITY:
Player Appearance, Wednesday, March 8: Knights' right wing Carsen Germyn and defenseman Mark Giordano are scheduled to appear at Moe's Southwest Grill at 176th Street and West Center Road in Omaha as part of a fundraiser for Alegent Health's Lakeside Hospital.

Radio Appearance, Wednesday, March 8: Knights' play-by-play voice Dave Ahlers will be appearing on Pinnacle Sports Network's "Sports Nightly" program (KFAB AM 1110 in Omaha) at 7:40 p.m. He will speak about the Knights' season to date and look forward to the upcoming week.

Player Appearance, Thursday, March 9: Knights' captain Craig MacDonald and center Dave Moss will be appearing at Fontenelle School in Omaha to speak with students as part of Alegent's School Fitness Program.

The Ak-Sar-Ben Knights' Speakers Bureau is available to provide speakers to local businesses, civic and church groups and other interested organizations holding weekly or monthly meetings and special events. There is no charge for this program. For more information on the Speakers Bureau or to schedule an appearance for your group's next meeting, call Dave Ahlers at (402) 344-GOAL or contact him by e-mail at dahlers@omahaaksarbenknights.com.

AK-SAR-BEN KNIGHTS TEAM STATISTICS (As of 3.6.06):
Click here to view Ak-Sar-Ben Knights player stats. Click here to view Ak-Sar-Ben Knights goalie stats.

OMAHAAKSARBENKNIGHTS.COM
The Ak-Sar-Ben Knights' official web site, omahaaksarbenknights.com, is the comprehensive source for all information about the Knights during the season. Log on for player bios and stats, game recaps, a list of community appearances, stats, photos, great downloads and live links to listen to and watch Ak-Sar-Ben Knights' hockey all season.

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