Barons Win Crucial Game

Published on April 9, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Cleveland Barons News Release


CLEVELAND, OH- The Cleveland Barons won an important game Friday night against the Utah Grizzlies by a final tally of 3-2. Cleveland remains in fourth place in the North Division, one point behind the Rochester Americans, heading into the season finale Saturday night at Cincinnati. A Cleveland victory, coupled with a Rochester loss at Binghamton will push the Barons into third place, and a match-up with the No. 2 seed Syracuse Crunch. In a show of gratitude on Fan Appreciation Night, captain Tavis Hansen, the game's first star, thanked the 6,410 Barons fans in attendance for their support. The victory closes the Barons regular season home schedule.

In one of the most important games of the year, Cleveland played a very solid first period. The Barons peppered Utah goalie Dan Ellis all throughout the stanza, with 13 shots. On the defensive side of things, Seamus Kotyk was a calming presence in the net, turning away all the Grizzlies' shots, including a few point blank glove saves. Despite controlling the pace of the game, the Barons and Grizzlies appeared headed towards a scoreless stanza. However, Cleveland forward Shane Joseph had other things in mind, as he picked off a lazy clearing attempt by Utah in the slot. Joseph fired a low shot which beat Ellis five-hole with less than 15 seconds left to put Cleveland up 1-0 heading into the second period.

In the second period, the Grizzlies took the play to Cleveland, outshooting the Barons early, and it would cost Cleveland the lead. A late developing odd-man rush led to Mathias Tjarnqvist walking in alone on the wing against Kotyk. Tjarnqvist fired a low hard shot the got by the left pad of Kotyk to tie the score at one. The Grizzlies seemed to used the goal to seize momentum, but Cleveland captain Tavis Hansen was determined to regain not only the momentum, but the lead. Hansen received a pass from Christian Ehrhoff and walked in on a 2-1 break, with Patrick Rissmiller. Hansen faked the pass, and then fired a howitzer that whistled past the glove of Ellis to put Cleveland up 2-1. Kotyk would do his part to make the lead stand up, making 11 saves on the period, while Ellis finished with six saves for the stanza.

In the final stanza, the first goal was either going to tie the score, or push the Barons' lead to two. Cleveland controlled the pace early, determined to take the two goal lead, and they would, courtesy of Ehrhoff. The defenseman received a pass in the slot, and his low shot got through the pads of Ellis, to put Cleveland up 3-1. Utah would not go down easy, as the Barons took a penalty late in the game. The Grizzlies took a chance and pulled their goal, and the risk paid off as Mike Siklenka scored on a rebound to cut the Cleveland lead to 3-2 with 57 seconds left. However, Cleveland would hold on, withstanding a late Utah push for the victory.

The Barons conclude the regular season Saturday night in Cincinnati. Cleveland can secure third-place in the North Division, and a first round bye with a victory. The game 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.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 9, 2004


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