Cleveland Barons Weekly Report

December 5, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Cleveland Barons News Release


Flashback

11/30/05 Cleveland 2, Houston 7

Patrick O'Sullivan scored three goals for Houston in a 7-2 win over the Barons on Wednesday night. Houston dominated the opening frame, out-shooting the Barons 19-6. O'Sullivan scored his 8th goal of the year just 58-seconds into the game on a breakaway. Erik Westrum, the AHL's leading scorer, extended the Aeros lead to 2-0 at the 13:22 mark of the first stanza. The Aeros scored two more goals in the second to extend their lead to 4-0 after forty minutes of play. The Barons finally got on the scoreboard in the third period, with a power play goal from Josh Prudden. However, Houston answered eight minutes later on an unassisted goal from Kirby Law. Prudden would score again for the Barons, but Houston was again quick to respond with two goals to finish the game.

12/01/05 Cleveland 0, San Antonio 1 (SO)

Two NHL goaltenders shut down any offense produced Thursday night as the Rampage and Barons skated to a scoreless tie through regulation and overtime. Both teams feature NHL goaltenders as San Jose assigned Vesa Toskala to the Barons on a conditioning assignment and Phoenix assigned Brian Boucher for the same reason. Boucher was replaced for the shootout by Karl Goehring for San Antonio and the goaltender responded with four saves on five shots to pick up his first AHL win of the season. The Barons only shootout goal scorer was Garrett Stafford.

12/02/05 Cleveland 3, San Antonio 1

Ryane Clowe scored a goal and added an assist leading the Barons to a 3-1 victory at San Antonio Friday night. Clowe opened up scoring for the Barons with a power play tally at the 12:32 mark of the first period. The only goal of the second period came on the penalty kill as rookie Mike Iggulden scored the team's first short-handed goal of the season. Mid-way through the second session Iggulden streaked into the Rampage zone on a breakaway, but was hauled down from behind, earning a penalty shot. Iggulden converted for a 2-0 lead after forty minutes. San Antonio pressured the Barons in the third period out-shooting the Barons 13-6 and scoring an even strength goal from Pascal Rheaume. However, any thoughts of a comeback were snuffed out when Steve Bernier scored his sixth goal of the season into an empty net for a 3-1 win.

12/04/05 Houston 5, Cleveland 2

Houston scored three power play goals in a 5-2 win at the Toyota Center on Sunday evening. A strong effort in the first period was not enough for the Barons as they trailed 1-0 after twenty minutes of play. The Aeros wasted little time scoring the game's opening goal just 61-seconds into the period. Houston extended their lead to two goals taking advantage of special teams play. Bryan Lundbohm gave the Aeros a 2-0 lead with a short-handed goal at the 14:26 mark on an assist from Joel Ward. The Aeros then scored a power play goal for a 3-0 lead with just 1:08 remaining in the second period. Mike Iggulden trimmed the lead back to 1-goal with his second goal in as many games for the Barons less than a minute later. Houston put the game away with two quick third period goals skating to a 5-2 win. Erik Westrum extended the Aeros lead to 4-1 with his 12th goal of the season coming on a power play. Kirby Law quickly followed with another power play goal less than two minutes later. Josh Gorges tallied his second goal of the season from Brad Staubitz and Lukas Kaspar at the 14:16 mark of the period.

Coming Up

12/06/05 Cleveland @ Toronto - National City Rink at The Q

The Cleveland Barons take on the Toronto Marlies for the second of eight battles this season. This match up is only the second ever between the now-Toronto Marlies and the Barons.Last time these two teams met, the Barons lost to the Marlies, 3-2. The Barons are led in scoring by Patrick Rissmiller, who has 19 points (8-11-19) in 25 games this season. The Marlies are led by John Pohl who has 13 goals and 11 assists for 24 points in 21 games this season. Pohl is ranked 15th among all AHL scorers. The game starts at 7:05pm.

12/09/05 Cleveland @ Toronto - Ricoh Coliseum

The Barons face the Marlies for the third of eight contests to complete the home-and-home series. When these two teams met on October 14th, Marlie Jay Harrison recorded a goal and an assist in the 3-2 victory and Brandon Bell had two assists. Toronto is tied with Cleveland for fifth place in the North Division standings with 20 points and a 10-12-0-0 record. John Pohl leads the Marlies offensive attack with 24 points (13-11-24).

12/10/05 Cleveland @ Grand Rapids - Van Andel Arena

The Barons will travel to Grand Rapids following the Toronto game for another show-down with a North Division foe, the Grand Rapids Griffins. This will be the fourth of ten meetings between the Barons and Griffins. The last time out, the Griffins outlasted the Barons 5-3 at The Q. The Griffins currently lead the North Division with 17-5-0-2 record. Griffin Jiri Hudler is among the AHL's top scorers with 35 points (16-19-35) and Eric Manlow, 26 points (9-17-26), paces an explosive Griffin offense who currently lead the AHL with 98 goals scored. For the Barons, leading scorer Patrick Rissmiller has had success against the Griffins in the past with four goals and five assists in career 21 games.

12/11/05 Cleveland @ Houston - National City Rink at The Q

The Houston Aeros, one of the AHL's hottest teams, make their first visit to Cleveland this season for the third of four contests with the Barons. Houston is 7-3-0-0 in their past 10 games and 17-7-1-1 overall, good enough for first place in the West Division. The last meeting between the Barons and the Aeros was last weekend in Houston when the Aeros beat the Barons 5-2. Aeros centerman Erik Westrum currently leads the AHL in scoring with 36 points (12-24-36) in 26 games, and has two goals and two assists in his past two games against the Barons. Josh Prudden has two goals against Houston this year and Mike Iggulden has a goal and an assist.

Barons Player of the Week

The Cleveland Barons Player of the Week is right wing Mike Iggulden. Iggulden had points in three of the Barons four games this week, including goals in his last two games. The 23-year old rookie scored the game-winning-goal, a short-handed penalty shot, in the Barons victory over the San Antonio Rampage. That goal marked the Barons first short-handed tally of the season and earned him the first star selection. Iggulden scored his second goal in as many games at Houston on Sunday to end the week with two goals and an assist for three points in four games.

In The North

Eighteen of the Barons first 21 games have been played against North Division rivals. The Barons are 6-11-1-0 against their division and 2-1-0-0 outside their division. The Barons took a four-game break from the North Division last week as they took on San Antonio and Houston. They return to North Division play Tuesday when they take on the Toronto Marlies. Eight of the next 11 games will be against North Division rivals.

Gettin' Iggy With It

Rookie forward Mike Iggulden has points in three of his last four games, including goals in his last two games. The 23-year old native of St. Catharine's Ontario leads Barons rookies in scoring and is third on the team with 15 points (8-7-15) in 24 games. His 15 points find him ranked 13th among AHL rookies. He is also first among Barons rookies and tied for first on the team in goals (8) and power play goals (4).

Who's Hot

Left wing Patrick Rissmiller has six points (2-4-6) in his last 10 games. He leads the Barons in scoring with 19 points in 25 games. Josh Prudden scored two goals in the Barons game against Houston on 11/30, bringing his season totals up to five goals and four assists for nine points in 23 games. Josh Hennessy earned an assist in the game on 11/30 to take over the assist lead for the team. He now paces the team with 12 assists in 25 games this season. He has 15 total points (3-12-15).

Recent Transactions

The Sharks recalled defenseman Doug Murray on December 1st. Murray made his NHL debut December 2nd in the Sharks victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Also, on December 1st, the Sharks assigned goaltender Vesa Toskala to the Barons for a conditioning assignment. Toskala appeared in one game for the Barons before being recalled, along with Ryane Clowe, on December 3rd.

Carkner's Christmas

Matt and Kary Carkner are organizing the Third Annual Carkner's Christmas, in conjunction with Big Brother Big Sisters of Cleveland. Each Barons player and coach will purchase three needs and wants for a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters Cleveland that is at a high level of need. On Monday, December 12th and Tuesday, December 13th, the Carkner's will join Santa Claus and SlapShark and deliver the presents to the children's schools.

This Goal is for the Kids

The Barons have partnered with the Cleveland Clinic in a unique program called "This Goal is for the Kids". The program allows individuals and business to "score goals" for the Children's Hospital by helping to raise money to provide health care to local families who cannot otherwise afford it. Participants can purchase a membership level (assist, goal, hat trick) which earns them tickets, on-ice recognition, a group outing, and recognition at all home games. There are additional perks as you go higher in the levels which include a suite event with the President of the Barons and hockey legend Jock Callander, and a meet-and-greet with the players. Most importantly, a portion of each plan purchased is donated to The Children's Hospital.

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...

Date Event Location Time

12/05 Travel Day

12/06 Pre-Game Skate National City Rink at The Q 10:00am

12/06 vs. Toronto National City Rink at The Q 7:05pm

12/07 Practice National City Rink at The Q 10:30am

12/08 Practice Lakefront Arena 10:30am

12/09 Pre-Game Skate Ricoh Coliseum 11:15am

12/09 @ Toronto Ricoh Coliseum 7:30pm

12/10 @ Grand Rapids Van Andel Arena 8:00pm

12/11 vs. Houston National City Rink at The Q 5:05pm

Barons Broadcasts

All games this season will be broadcast live and in their entirety on-line via the B2 Networks. Fans can enjoy the play-by-play action of Barons hockey provided by the "Voice of the Barons" Jamie Smock, by Crashing the Net at www.clevelandbarons.net. Fans can watch the game via B2 Networks' Live Video Stream of the game on a pay-per-view basis of $6.00 per game. There is also a free audio version of the broadcast offered. Every Barons game broadcast begins with a pre-game show 15-minutes prior to face-off.



American Hockey League Stories from December 5, 2005


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