Barons Earn Hard-Fought Tie

April 7, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Cleveland Barons News Release


CLEVELAND, OH- The Cleveland Barons played a hard fought hockey game against the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Wednesday night en route to a 2-2 at Gund Arena. Unfortunately, the Rochester Americans, who entered tonight tied with the Barons in third place, defeated Toronto to move into a 1-point lead for third in the North Division.

1ST PERIOD SUMMARY GOALS SHOTS PIM PP GOALIES (SHOT/SVS)
CINCINNATI 0 6 0 0/0 BRYZGALOV (18/18)
CLEVELAND 1 18 0 0/0 SCHAEFER (6/6)

In a fast paced first period, it was Cleveland controlling the tempo from the drop of the puck. The Barons peppered Cincinnati netminder Ilya Bryzgalov with 18 shots, while holding the Mighty Ducks to just six shots on net. Throughout the entire period, Bryzgalov stood on his head, but Cleveland would not be denied. The Barons finally broke through with under a minute to play as red hot Marcel Goc wrapped around the net and beat the Cincy netminder with a high flipping shot. It marked the third straight game that Goc has scored the first goal of the game. Not to be forgotten, is Barons netminder Nolan Schaefer, who turned away the six shots he faced. In addition, Schaefer made some savvy plays with the stick, breaking up a potential breakaway by anticipating the pass on one occasion, while leading the breakout of the defensive zone with some long passes.

2ND PERIOD SUMMARY GOALS SHOTS PIM PP GOALIES (SHOT/SVS)
CINCINNATI 1 11 4 1/2 BRYZGALOV (10/9)
CLEVELAND 1 10 4 0/2 SCHAEFER (11/10)

The fast period of the first period disappeared in the second stanza, as both teams seemed content to play in the neutral zone. This style seemed to fit Cincinnati better, and the Mighty Ducks would use it to their advantage en route to tying the game. After a Barons penalty, the Mighty Ducks had the one man advantage, and found Shane O'Brien in the slot. The defenseman took a low shot that was initially stopped by Schaefer, but then trickled through his pads to tie the score at one. However, the Barons would come right back and retake the lead. This time it was Patrick Rissmiller on a wrap around, and the forward beat Bryzgalov low short side to put Cleveland up 2-1. Schaefer would do his part to make that lead stand up, making 10 saves in the period.

3RD PERIOD SUMMARY GOALS SHOTS PIM PP GOALIES (SHOT/SVS)
CINCINNATI 1 11 2 0/0 BRYZGALOV (6/6)
CLEVELAND 0 6 2 0/0 SCHAEFER (11/10)

In the final stanza, the two teams continued to play in the neutral zone, not wanting to give up any good offensive chances. However, a breakdown by Cincinnati led to a 2-1 on odd man rush by Cleveland, a little less than six minutes in. Shane Joseph passed to linemate Grant Stevenson who was unable to get the shot off, as he was being hooked from behind. The Mighty Ducks used this as momentum boost, as they would get the game tying goal a few minutes later. Cincinnati used a very aggressive forecheck to keep the puck in the Cleveland zone, before finally firing a shot that beat Schaefer, who was screened on the play. From that point on, neither team was able to score, though Cincinnati had several good chances, but was turned away by Schaefer.

OVERTIME SUMMARY GOALS SHOTS PIM PP GOALIES (SHOT/SVS)
CINCINNATI 0 2 0 0/0 BRYZGALOV (6/6)
CLEVELAND 0 6 0 0/0 SCHAEFER (2/2)

With the score knotted at two heading into overtime, both teams had already earned one point, but Cleveland wanted more. Less than two minutes into the stanza, Joseph set up Christian Ehrhoff who had a point blank chance, but was stoned by Bryzgalov on a stunning save. The Mighty Ducks then had a fierce counter attack, only to have Schaefer make an equally as impressive save. The two teams then went end to end, trading odd man rushes, only to have both goaltenders continue to turn away all chances. The Barons had one final chance, with a shot turned away by Bryzgalov as time expired.

The Barons are back in action Friday night in the final regular season home game of the year as they take on the Utah Grizzlies. It will be fan appreciation night at Gund Arena, and fans that bring any losing Ohio Lottery tickets to the Box Office can purchase $16 tickets for $8. All games can be heard live by Crashing The Net at www.clevelandbarons.net. Tickets are available through the Barons web site or at the Gund Arena Box Office.



American Hockey League Stories from April 7, 2004


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