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Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Preview

March 31, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Cincinnati RailRaiders News Release


GAME: Cincinnati Mighty Ducks (32-31-10-3) vs. Hershey Bears (33-25-11-6)

TIME: Sunday, 3:05 p.m. EST

TV/RADIO: ESPN 1160-AM (WBOB)

The Cincinnati Mighty Ducks look to avenge a 5-2 loss yesterday to the Hershey Bears as the clubs complete a two-game series at the Cincinnati Gardens.

Cincinnati is 2-3-1-0 in its last six games and sits in the 10 th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, two points behind ninth-place Rochester and four points in back of eighth-place Philadelphia.

The Ducks have been held to just 24 goals in their last 14 games, scoring two goals-or-less 11 times in that stretch. Over the same 14-game stretch the club has surrendered only 33 goals, including holding their opponents to two goals-or-less seven times.

Cincinnati has not surrendered an opposition power-play goal in its last six games, killing off 31 consecutive shorthanded situations in that stretch. In the last 13 games the club has killed 53 of their opponents 56 man-advantage chances (94.6 percent).

Hershey has won nine straight games, matching the franchise record. The record has been reached three previous times. All three teams (1973-74, 1987-88 and 1996-97) went on to win the Calder Cup.

The Bears have also won seven straight road games and are unbeaten in their last 12 overall (11-0-1-0).

Bears goaltender Phil Sauve has gone 16-2-1 in his last 19 starts, including nine straight wins. He has allowed only eight goals in his last eight games. Sauve, the son of former NHL netminder Bob Sauve, ranks second in the AHL in shutouts (six), third in goals-against average (2.14) and fifth in save percentage (.927).

STANDINGS: Ducks - 77 points, 3rd place, 13 PB Central Division. Bears - 83 points, 2nd place, 5 PB South Division.

TEAM LEADERS: Ducks - Steve Brule, 21 goals, 41 assists, 62 points; Travis Brigley 22 goals and 43 points; Garrett Burnett 161 PIM. Bears - Jeff Daw 24 goals, 24 assists, 48 points; Kelly Fairchild 20 goals, 44 points; Jeff Paul 199 PIM.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Ducks - Power play: 16.8 percent (52-for-310), 13th in AHL. Penalty killing: 86.5 percent (294-for-340), 3rd. Bears - Power play: 13.3 percent (48-for-360), 25th. Penalty Killing: 85.2 percent (277-for-325), 7th.

GOALTENDERS: Ducks - Gregg Naumenko (2-4-0, 2.47 GAA); Ilja Bryzgalov (20-16-4, 4 SO, 2.48 GAA); Jason Elliott (10-14-6, 1 SO, 2.64 GAA). Bears - Scott Frankhouser (5-2-2, 1 SO, 2.07 GAA); Phil Sauve (23-18-6, 6 SO, 2.14 GAA).

SEASON SERIES: Ducks trail, 0-3-0-0 (0-1-0-0 at Cincinnati Gardens).

LAST MEETING: Tavis Hansen and Vaclav Nedorost each had two goals as the Bears defeated the Ducks 5-2 yesterday at the Cincinnati Gardens. Brent Thompson added a goal and Kelly Fairchild had three assists for the Bears, who tied a franchise record with their ninth consecutive win. Scott Fankhouser made 21 saves for Hershey in the win. Mike Green and Sergei Krivokrasov tallied goals for the Ducks.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Bears - 14-15-5-3 on the road; Ducks 18-11-6-2 at home.

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