Barons Impressive in Weekend Sweep
Published on February 17, 2004 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Cleveland Barons News Release
The Cleveland Barons achieved their goal over the weekend: to better their position in the playoff race. Entering their game on Saturday against the US National Under-18 team, the Barons trailed the US team by two points in the battle for the fourth and final playoff berth in the NAHL North. In one of the best games of the season, the Barons came away with a hard-fought 3-2 win. Barons' goalie Ross Cherry (Basking Ridge, NJ) was the star of the game. Cherry turned aside an astounding 49 shots in the win. After giving up two goals to Tom Fritsche in the first period, Cherry was a brick wall as he stopped everything the US team threw at him, including an amazing 26 saves in the third period. Despite trailing twice in the game, the Barons never quit as the power-play was excellent as the Barons scored all three of their goals with the man advantage. Tallying goals for the Barons were Matt Shoeneyia (Bloomfield Hills, MI), Mike Wolff (Chicago, IL), and Jason Weeks (Seattle, WA). Weeks' goal late in the second proved to be the game-winner.
On Sunday, the Barons continued to play fantastic hockey as they routed another team they are chasing, the Youngstown Phantoms, 6-1. The win pulled the Barons within two points of the third-place Phantoms. Mike Ruberto (Stoney Creek, ONT) had a huge game as he tallied his first hat trick of the season and was a force on both ends of the ice. The line of Ruberto, Brian Bicek (Downers Grove, IL), and Jason Weeks was the difference as the line combined for twelve points. Weeks had a goal and four assists. Three first period goals chased Phantoms goalie Tyler Simms from the game. Vinny Jalaba's (Beverley Hills, MI) hard work throughout the game paid off as he finished off the scoring late in the third. Ross Cherry continued his fabulous play making 25 saves, including a fantastic glove save in the third. Cherry would lose his bid for a shutout late in the third off a goal deflected in by Aaron Rhyner. The Barons defense also helped in Cherry's cause, shutting down the Phantoms' high-scoring duo of Rob Rassey and Joe Federoff.
Barons Notes: The Barons power-play was an impressive 6-11 over the weekend. Next weekend, the Barons welcome the NAHL North-leading Soo Kewadin Indians to IceLand USA for a two-game set on Friday and Saturday night. Both games are at 7:05 in Strongsville. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for kids under 14 and can be purchased at the front desk.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 17, 2004
- Barons Impressive in Weekend Sweep - Cleveland Barons
- Dog Pound Weekly - Bozeman Icedogs
- Barons Weekly Report - Cleveland Barons
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