Changes, Changes, Changes
January 20, 2003 - Atlantic Coast Hockey League 2 (ACHL 2) News Release
It was a week that saw the Atlantic Coast Hockey League playoff race tighten up. While the Orlando Seals continue to lead the way in first place with 50 points and the Knoxville Ice Bears remain in second with 41 points, only six points separate the other four ACHL teams battling for the final two playoff spots. Winston-Salem & Cape Fear each have 31 points while Macon has 27 and Jacksonville has 25. Due to building availability, only five league games are scheduled this week.
Coaching Change:
On January 14th, the Cape Fear Fire Antz announced that former Jacksonville General Manager, Bryan Wells would replace Shawn Ulrich as the Fire Antz Head Coach. The thirty-four year old Wells was the Head Coach of the Wichita Thunder in the Central Hockey League from 1996-2001 where he was the Thunder's winningest coach posting a record of 161-146-39 in five seasons. Wells debut in Cape Fear was a 4-0 victory over Jacksonville on 1/15.
ACHL Winter Meetings:
The Atlantic Coast Hockey League held its mid-season meetings on January 18th in Little River, South Carolina. Among the items discussed at the meetings included:
* The Atlantic Coast Hockey League has a signed membership agreement from Mr. David Waronker and a letter of intent from the Miami (Florida) Arena to place a team in Miami in time for the 2003-04 ACHL season. Once a signed lease agreement is completed, an official announcement regarding the Miami franchise will be made.
*2002/03 ACHL Playoffs: Due to arena(s) availability the ACHL Playoffs will consist of two best of five series. The semi-finals will consist of two best of five series with the first place team playing the fourth place team and second & third place clubs playing each other.The ACHL Championship series will also be a best of five series with winners of the two semi-final series playing one another.
*The ACHL Regular Season Champion will receive the Commissioners Cup while the Playoff Champion will receive the President's Cup.
*The ACHL Trading Deadline & Playoff Roster Deadline was set at 3PM EST on Tuesday, March 11th.
ACHL Suspensions & Fines:
The Atlantic Coast Hockey League has suspended Jacksonville Barracudas Coach Kurt Wickenheiser and player Jay Niemiec for their actions in league game #112 on January 19th. Wickenheiser receives a three game suspension while Niemiec receives a ten game suspension. Both individuals were also fined an undisclosed amount of money. Niemiec came off the Jacksonville bench to start an altercation.
ACHL Player of the Week:
B.J. Stephens of the Orlando Seals is the Atlantic Coast Hockey League Player of the Week. The native of Hershey, PA had two goals and two assists in three games played. His two goals were both the game winners as the Seals went 2-1 on the week. For the season, Stephens has 18 goals and 15 assists, good for 33 points.
ACHL Goaltender of the Week:
Frederick Beaubein of the Knoxville Ice Bears is the Atlantic Coast Hockey League Goaltender of the Week. Beaubein, from Lauzon, Quebec, had an outstanding week as he helped Knoxville win three in a row. In the three victories, he stopped 90 of 93 shots and posted his second shutout of the year on 1/18, defeating first place Orlando 3-0. On the year, Beaubein has a record of 17 wins and 7 losses, a goals against average of 2.87 and a save percentage of 90.8%.
ACHL Games This Week:
#114: Thursday 1/23: Knoxville @ Orlando (7:00PM)
#115: Macon @ Winston-Salem (7:30PM)
#116: Saturday 1/25: Macon @ Cape Fear (7:35PM)
#117: Knoxville @ Winston-Salem (7:30PM)
#118: Orlando @ Jacksonville (7:30PM)
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