Barons Weekly Update

January 9, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Cleveland Barons News Release


1/2/06 Cleveland 1, Toronto 6 - Luke Fulgham scored the first three goals of his career as the Marlies defeated the Barons in the Air Canada Centre Monday afternoon. Jay Harrison opened up scoring for the Marlies, who went one-for-one on the power play in the opening period. The Marlies scored three third period goals, including two from Fulgham, to lead 4-1 after forty minutes of action. Ray DiLauro scored the goal for the Barons, assisted by Steve Bernier and Patrick Rissmiller. Toronto finished up scoring in the third as Fulgham completed the hat trick and Bates Battaglia found the net for a final score of 6-1.

1/6/06 Milwaukee 1, Cleveland 4 - Special teams ruled the ice surface as the Barons scored two power play goals and added a short-handed tally for a 4-1 win over Milwaukee. Scoring his first goal on home ice since November 20th, Tom Cavanagh gave the Barons the 1-0 lead after the first period of play. The goal, assisted by Shane Joseph and Mike Iggulden, was scored on the first power play chance of the game. The Barons extended their lead to 3-0 after forty minutes of action by scoring a power play and a short-handed goal in the second period. Steve Bernier scored with the two man advantage. Garrett Stafford then scored his second short-handed goal of the season with 47-seconds remaining in the period. Greg Zanon trimmed the Barons lead to two with 5:55 remaining in the game, but Craig Valette would solidify the victory for the Barons with his third goal of the season.

1/7/06 Peoria 2, Cleveland 5 - Five Barons players had multi-point games as the Barons defeated the Peoria Rivermen 5-2 at home yesterday afternoon. The teams skated to a 1-1 tie after trading power play goals in the opening period. Peoria's Peter Sejina opened scoring, assisted by former Baron Jon DiSalvatore. Steve Bernier responded for the Barons with 24-second remaining in the period. The teams exchanged even strength goals in the second as Josh Hennessy brought the Barons to a 2-1 lead less than a minute before Trent Whitfield evened the game up. The Barons scored the third period's only goals as Bernier and Tomas Plihal tallied power play goals before Hennessy found the empty net for a final score of 5-2

1/8/06 Manitoba 4, Cleveland 5 (OT) - Matt Carkner scored his first game-winning goal of the season to lead the Barons to an overtime victory over the Manitoba Moose. The Moose posted the first two goals of the game on their way to a 2-1 lead after the first stanza. Craig Darby opened scoring for the Moose on the power play and then former Baron Jason Jaffray extended the Moose lead to two. The Barons trimmed the lead in half as defenseman Aaron Power scored his first AHL goal at the 16:52 mark with assists from Steve Bernier and Patrick Rissmiller. Jason King scored twice in the second period, but it wasn't enough for the Moose to maintain their lead as the Barons scored three goals en route to a 4-4 deadlock after two periods. A scoreless third period would force the overtime, where Carkner scored the game-winning goal at the 42-second mark.

Coming Up

1/10/06 Cleveland @ Iowa - Wells Fargo Arena

The Barons get their first look at the Iowa Stars in the first of four meetings between the teams. The Stars are currently 18-15-1-1 and in 4th place in the West Division. They defeated Chicago 5-1 in their last game.

1/13/06 Cleveland @ Milwaukee - Bradley Center

The Barons meet Milwaukee for the fourth of seven between the teams. Cleveland leads the series 2-1-0-0. The last time the teams met, Cleveland defeated Milwaukee 4-1 at The Q. Mike Iggulden and Patrick Rissmiller each have a goal and three assists for four points in three games against Milwaukee. Milwaukee's Kevin Klein has three points (1-2-3) in three games.

1/14/06 Cleveland @ Iowa - Wells Fargo Arena

Cleveland once again plays Iowa in the second of four between the teams. Iowa is led in scoring by Toby Peterson, who has 28 points (11-17-28) in 35 games played. The Barons are currently led by Patrick Rissmiller, who has 33 points (10-23-33) in 42 games played this season.

1/15/06 Cleveland @ Chicago - Allstate Arena

Cleveland faces Chicago for the second of four match-ups between the teams. Chicago defeated the Barons 6-3 last times the teams played. Cleveland is 4-9-0-0 lifetime against the Wolves. Chicago is currently 14-14-2-5

Barons Player of the Week

The Cleveland Barons nominee for CCM AHL Player of the Week is right wing Steve Bernier. Currently on an eight game point streak (6-8-14), Bernier had three goals and four assists for seven points in four games this week. Bernier scored the game-winning goal in two of the games and finished the week +3 with 18 shots. He was rewarded for his efforts by being named the First Star of the game against Peoria.

Bernier leads Barons rookies and is seventh among AHL rookie scoring leaders with 32 points (15-17-32) in 34 games this season. He is second overall in scoring on the team and leads the Barons in goals (15), power play goals (8), and game-winning goals (5). On the AHL side, he is ranking among AHL rookies in scoring (7th), goals (tied - 5th), assists (tied - 9th), and power play goals (tied - 3rd).

Home Cooking

The Barons are currently on a five game home winning streak, which matches the franchise record they set in mid-November. The three victories at home this weekend marked the first time the Barons have swept a three-in-three situation this season. They have played three games in as many days seven times this season. The Barons will play their next seven games on the road before returning to home ice on January 25th.

Power-ed Up

The Barons have scored power play goals in 12 of their last 16 games, earning 21 goals in 107 chances (19.6%). On the season they are 42-for 278, a 15.1% success rate.

Absolutely Risserable

Barons left wing Patrick Rissmiller tied a franchise record by recording four assists in the Barons victory over the Peoria Rivermen. The Barons All-Time Assists leader (103), Rissmiller leads the Barons in scoring (10-23-33) and assists (23) in 42 games played this season. He is quickly approaching another Barons milestone as he is only four points behind Miroslav Zalesak as the Barons All-Time Points leader. Zalesak earned 166 points in his Barons career. Rissmiller currently has 162.

Staff Report

Defenseman Garrett Stafford has recorded five points in four games this week (2-3-5). He currently leads Barons defenseman with 23 points (8-15-23) in 42 games. He is also 12th among AHL defensemen scoring leaders, 5th among AHL defensemen in goals and tied for 8th among AHL defensemen in power play goals with 4.

Getting Iggy With It

Barons right wing Mike Iggulden currently stands tied for 11th among AHL rookie scoring leaders and he is third on the team in scoring with 29 points (12-17-29) in 39 games. His 17 assists find him tied for second on the team and tied for 9th among AHL rookie assist leaders. The native of St. Catharine's, Ontario has recorded four points (1-3-4) in his past four games.

Practice Makes Perfect

Below is the Barons schedule for the week. Practice times are subject to change. All practices at Lakefront Arena are open to the public. For information, contact the Barons at 216-420-0000...



American Hockey League Stories from January 9, 2006


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