Barons sweep weekend at the Soo
September 23, 2004 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Cleveland Barons News Release
The Cleveland Barons inaugurated their 11th season in the North American Hockey League with a two game sweep of the Soo Kewadin Indians, this past weekend -- the first time Cleveland has swept a weekend season-opening series.
On Friday night, September 17, the Indians scored first, at the 10:22 mark, as Andrew Broughton gave the Kewadin Indians a 1-0 lead after the first period.
In the second period, the Barons tied things at the 14:44 mark when John Goebel (Parma, Ohio) tallied a shorthanded goal. Nick Biondo (Parma, Ohio) and Jason Weeks (Seattle, Washington) were credited with the assists.
The Barons took the lead for good just over a minute later, at the 16:44 mark, when defenseman Nick Biondo scored to give the Barons a 2-1 lead. Patrick Schafer (Hilliard, Ohio) drew the lone assist on the goal. A defensive game developed for most of the third period, until Barons forward Jake Coyle (Brooklyn, Ohio) closed out the scoring with his first Junior A goal into the empty net to ice the victory for the Barons. Kurt Kivisto (Brighton, Michigan) and Patrick Schafer drew the assists.
Barons goaltender Chris Carlson (Plainfield, Illinois) was superb, making 25 saves in his Cleveland debut.
The next night, the Indians came out with a mission, as Derek Punches and Kellen Chamblee gave them a 2-0 lead by the 6:23 mark of the first period.
But the Barons answered within a three minute span to tie the score at two. Steve Shimek (Grove City, Pennsylvania) started comeback with his first Junior A goal at the 7:18 mark, with the assists going to Jacob Cepis (Parma, Ohio) and Eric Rex (Fairview, Pennsylvania). The second Barons goal was scored by rookie forward Jeremy Stocker (Baldwinsville, New York), with the assists going to Carter Camper (Rocky River, Ohio) and Jason Weeks.
Indians forward Matt Buha notched the only goal the second period at the 17:31 mark to give the Indiana a 3-2 lead after two.
In the third, the Barons tied the scored as Eric Rex notched his first career Junior A goal at the 13:00 mark with the assists going to Jacob Cepis and Patrick Schafer. The score remained tied 3-3 at the end of regulation, but in overtime, at the 2:12 mark, Jacob Cepis scored to give the Barons a 4-3 victory. The assists went to Jason Weeks and Barons captain Matt Shouneyia (Bloomfield Hills, Michigan).
Chris Carlson made 41 saves to preserve the victory and complete the weekend sweep.
BARONS NOTES: The Cleveland Barons play three games this weekend -- Friday night, September 24, at the Toledo IceDiggers, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday night, September 25, at home against the USA National Development team (18 and under) 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday afternoon, September 26 against Toledo at 3:35 p.m. All home games will be played at the IceLand USA Arena, 15381 Royalton Rd. in Strongsville, Ohio. For further information call 440-886-0512.
BARONS HIRE JOSH HARROLD AS ASSISTANT COACH
The Barons announced the hiring of Josh Harrold as assistant coach last week. The Kirtland Hills, Ohio native had played the past six seasons in the American Hockey league and the East Coast Hockey League.
Harrold started his hockey career with the Cleveland Barons team, which led to a four- year scholarship to Miami (Ohio) University.
Tim Alexander, general manager/head coach of the Barons stated, "Josh was the first true success stories of our program. He was Cleveland-born, played for our first two years in the Junior A program and went to Miami (CCHA) on a scholarship, where he earned a degree in Arts and Sciences. I am looking forward to having Josh help in all aspects of our development program."
Harrold played for Alexander and the Junior Barons from 1993-1995, during which time he was All-NAHL and voted the league's Best Offensive Defenseman in 1994-95.
North American Hockey League Stories from September 23, 2004
- Liut, Ludwig and Mazzolini lead Tornado to sweep of Jr. Blues - Texas Tornado
- Indians drop season opener for first time ever - Soo Indians
- Bulls edged by IceDogs in season opener - Billings Bulls
- Jets start the season with a win - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Spirit defenseman headed for University of Wisconsin - Alaska Avalanche
- Smolinski and Fedotenko highlight all-Ohio week for IceDiggers - Alpena IceDiggers
- Developement teams take three games in opening weekend - U.S. National Team
- Barons sweep weekend at the Soo - Cleveland Barons
- Icedogs vs. Bighorns tonight - Bozeman Icedogs
- Phantoms Defeat Ice Diggers - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
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