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Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Preview

March 27, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Cincinnati RailRaiders News Release


GAME: Cincinnati Mighty Ducks (32-29-9-3) vs. HOUSTON AEROS (33-26-9-5)

TIME: Wednesday, 8:00 p.m. EST

TV/RADIO: ESPN 1160-AM (WBOB)

The Cincinnati Mighty Ducks look to improve their playoff position as they begin a two-game series with the Houston Aeros at the Compaq Center.

Cincinnati currently sits in the ninth spot in the Western Conference playoff chase, one point in back of Philadelphia for the eighth seed and three points behind Hershey for the seventh. The Ducks are coming off a 4-1 win March 23 against Rochester and have won two of their last three games.

Cincinnati is 2-2-0-0 in its last four road contests and 14-19-3-1 on alien ice this season. The Ducks are 10-9-4-1 against the West Division and 25-22-8-3 versus the Western Conference.

Houston currently resides in sixth place in the Western Conference with 80 points. The club trails fifth-place Chicago by one point and fourth-place Utah by four with seven games left to play.

The Aeros are just 1-3-0-0 in their last four games and 2-5-0-0 in their last seven. They have compiled a 16-12-5-3 home record, including a 3-5-2-1 mark in their last 11 at the Compaq Center.

Ducks right wing Steve Brule has a current five-game point streak (2-6-8), while right wing Ben Guite (1-4-5) and center Mike Green (1-3-4) each have three-game point streaks.

Cincinnati and Houston complete the two-game series at the Compaq Center Friday.

STANDINGS: Ducks - 76 points, 2nd place, 10 PB Central Division. Aeros - 80 points, 4th place, 9 PB West Division.

TEAM LEADERS: Ducks - Steve Brule, 20 goals, 40 assists, 60 points; Travis Brigley 22 goals and 42 points; Ryan Barnes 152 PIM. Aeros - Cory Larose 29 goals and 55 points; Curtis Murphy 35 assists and 46 points; Jason Shmyr 160 PIM.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Ducks - Power play: 17.1 percent (51-for-298), 13th in AHL. Penalty killing: 85.8 percent (280-for-326), 5th. Aeros - Power play: 15.9 percent (58-for-364), 21st. Penalty Killing: 79.9 percent (283-for-354), 25th.

GOALTENDERS: Ducks - Ilja Bryzgalov (20-14-4, 4 SO, 2.42 GAA); Jason Elliott (10-14-5, 1 SO, 2.71 GAA). Aeros - Derek Gustafson (14-13-6, 4 SO, 2.74 GAA); Jamie McLennan (19-18-3, 3 SO, 2.98 GAA).

SEASON SERIES: Ducks lead, 2-0-0-0 (0-0-0-0 at Compaq Center).

LAST MEETING: Timo Parssinen scored a power-play goal 1:47 into overtime to lift the Mighty Ducks past the Aeros, 4-3, February 23 at the Cincinnati Gardens. Yuri Butsayev, Travis Brigley and Steve Brule also tallied goals for Cincinnati, which halted a seven-game home winless streak. Jason Elliott made 35 saves against his former team for the win. Dan Cavanaugh, Tony Virta and Cory Larose each scored in the third period for Houston. Derek Gustafson surrendered four goals on 25 shots in the losing effort.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Ducks - 14-19-3-1 on the road; Aeros 16-12-5-3 at home.

CINCINNATI - HOUSTON CONNECTIONS: Aeros center Brett McLean played seven games with Cincinnati in 1998-1999. Aeros defenseman Mike Crowley played parts of two seasons with Cincinnati from 1997-1999. Houston left wing Greg Crozier is the son of former Cincinnati Swords coach Joe Crozier (1971-1972). Cincinnati goaltender Jason Elliott posted a 19-16-3 record with a 3.03 goals-against average in 41 games with Houston last season. Ducks account executive Keith Becherer had a friend in college who was from Houston.

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