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Cleveland Barons Weekly Update

December 19, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL) - Cleveland Barons News Release


Flashback

12/14/05 Rochester 2, Cleveland 4 - Ryane Clowe led the Barons charge with two second period goals and Patrick Rissmiller added a three point (1-2-3) performance as the Barons beat Rochester 4-2 at The Q. Garrett Stafford started the scoring with a power play goal from just inside the blue line. Mike Iggulden and Shane Joseph provided the assist as the Barons converted on their fist power play opportunity of the night. Late in the first period, Rissmiller slipped one past Rochester goaltender Michael Leighton for a 2-0 lead going into the locker room. The second period belonged to the Barons and Clowe. Clowe found the back of the net early in the second as the Barons notched another power play goal. This time Rissmiller was on the giving end as he and Steve Bernier provided the assist. Just over the half way mark of the second, Clowe found pay dirt again on the power play, and again he was assisted by Rissmiller. Josh Hennessy provided the other assist giving the Barons a 4-0 lead. The Barons would take that lead into the dressing room and sit on it throughout the remainder of the game. Rochester attempted a comeback with two third period goals which came only 11 seconds apart. The Barons halted any further comeback attempts with solid defense and goaltending from Nolan Schaefer to secure the 4-2 win.

12/16/05 Toronto 5, Cleveland 2 - Toronto's John Pohl proved why he is one of the AHL's top goal scorers with a three point performance (2-1-3) helping lift the Marlies over the Barons 5-2. Toronto struck first but not till late in the first period when Brendan Bell bounced the puck off a skate in front of the Barons net and into the goal. Pohl and Bates Battaglia provided the assist. Toronto came out in the second and added to their lead when Pohl scored just 24 seconds into the frame on the power play. Just over the half way point of the second, Tyler Beechey scooped up an errant clearing pass by Barons goaltender Nolan Schaefer and stuffed it in the empty net for a short handed goal. Cleveland finally got something going later in the second when Mike Iggulden beat Marlie goalie J.S. Aubin on a breakaway cutting the Marlies lead to 3-1. Aaron Power and Schaefer provided the assist. The back-breaker came with only three seconds remaining in the second period when Pohl netted his 16th goal of the season giving the Marlies a 4-1 lead. Toronto scored again just 64 seconds into the third when Brad Leeb beat Schaefer for the 5-1 lead. The only response by the Barons was when Tim Conboy wristed one by Aubin from atop the right circle. All five of Toronto's goals came via special teams. The Marlies went 4 for 7 on the power play and also added a short handed goal. In addition, Battaglia notched a "Playmaker" award with three assists for Toronto.

12/17/05 Rochester 2, Cleveland 3 (SO) - The Barons extended their winning ways against Rochester again on Saturday afternoon with a 3-2 shootout victory at The Q. The two teams skated to a scoreless first period, but the Barons lit the lamp first in the second when Josh Hennessy jammed one through the legs of Rochester goalie Michael Leighton. Rochester responded with a power play goal by Drew Larman at the 13:41 mark. The game went into the third tied at one. Ryane Clowe scored only 52 seconds into the third and was assisted by Tim Conboy. The Americans then tied the game at two when Doug Janik beat Nolan Schaefer with a wrister from the slot, eventually sending the game into overtime. Neither team scored in the extra frame sending the game into a shootout. Mike Iggulden, the Barons third shooter, scored first to give the Barons the 1-0 shootout lead. Rochester responded immediately when Jiri Novotny scored on the ensuing shot. Steve Bernier then scored on his attempt to give the Barons the 2-1 shootout lead. Daniel Paille, the Americans fifth and final shooter, was stopped by Schaefer, giving the Barons the victory. The Americans exited The Q for the final time this season with the feeling of another defeat at the hands of the Barons. Cleveland is now 4-2-0-0 against Rochester this season and 3-1-0-0 at home.

12/18/05 Cleveland 4, Milwaukee 5 - Patrick Rissmiller's three point night (1-2-3) wasn't enough as the Barons came up one goal short in Milwaukee. The Barons came out strong in the first, scoring two goals in the first two minutes. Josh Prudden gave the Barons the early 1-0 lead just 24 seconds into the period with Lukas Kaspar providing the assist. Then, less than two minutes later, Rissmiller scored on the power play. He was assisted by Josh Hennessy and Ryane Clowe. The Admirals quickly struck back with a goal by Jason

Noterman and then another by Shea Weber. Barons starting goaltender, Jamie Holden, was pulled from the game after Milwaukee's second goal at the 5:54 mark and replaced by Nolan Schaefer, who has now made an appearance in the last seven consecutive games. With just over 14 minutes remaining in the first period, the game was already in a 2-2 tie. Milwaukee would go on to add another first period goal when Kevin Klein scored at the 18:36 mark. The Barons came back to tie the game at three just over the mid-way point of the second when Steve Bernier notched his ninth goal of the season. The goal came on the power play and was assisted by Rissmiller and Garrett Stafford. Milwaukee answered less than two minutes later when Darren Haydar, Milwaukee's leading scorer, scored on the power play. Cleveland quickly responded with a goal by Matt Carkner only 35 seconds later. Rissmiller and Tomas Plihal provided the assists. Going into the third period, the game was tied at four, but the Admirals would net the game winner with 13:52 remaining in the stanza. Greg Classen beat Schaefer above the glove to give the Admirals the victory. Milwaukee scored four of its five goals on the power play, going 4 for 7 on the night.

Coming Up

12/21/05 Cleveland vs. Chicago - National City Rink at The Q

The Barons face-off against the Wolves for the first of four meetings this season. Cleveland is 4-8-0-0 against the Wolves all time and 3-3-0-0 at home. The Barons won both games against the Wolves last season and have won the last three times the teams played, dating back to 3/24/04. The Barons leading scorer, Patrick Rissmiller has two goals and two assists for four points in six lifetime games against Chicago. This season Rissmiller leads the team in points (27), goals (tie - 11), assists (16) and power play goals (6).

12/22/05 Cleveland vs. Hamilton - National City Rink at The Q

Cleveland looks for their second straight victory against the North Division rival Hamilton Bulldogs in the fourth of eight meetings between the teams. Cleveland currently leads the series 2-1-0-0, although Cleveland trails Hamilton 14-22-3-0 lifetime. Patrick Rissmiller and Garrett Stafford are both dominant against the Bulldogs. Rissmiller has 18 points (10-8-18) in 27 lifetime appearances against Hamilton and Stafford has 15 points (5-10-15) in 20 career matches. For the Bulldogs, Corey Locke and Michael Lambert each have three goals and an assist in three games against the Barons this season. Bulldogs goaltender Yann Danis has a 3-1-0 lifetime record against Cleveland.

12/23/05 Cleveland @ Grand Rapids - Van Andel Arena

Cleveland heads to Grand Rapids looking for a victory in the fifth of ten games against the Griffins this season and the third of three games in as many days. Grand Rapids currently leads the series against the Barons 3-1-0-0. Mike Iggulden has four points (2-2-4) in four games against Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids is currently led in scoring by Jiri Hudler, who has 38 points (16-22-38) in 27 games this season, which ranks him among the AHL's best. The Griffins own the AHL's most powerful offense with 114 goals-for in 31 games.

Barons Player of the Week

The Cleveland Barons Player of the Week for the second week in a row is left wing Patrick Rissmiller. Rissmiller recorded three point games in two of the Barons four games this week to finish the week with two goals and three assists for five points. His one goal, two assist performance in Milwaukee earned him the third star of the game selection.

Power Play

The Barons have recorded seven power play goals in their last five games (7/39; 17.9%). Overall the Barons have earned 31 power play goals in 225 chances, a 13.8% success rate.

Absolutely Riss-merable

With his five point performance this week, Patrick Rissmiller has re-claimed the team lead in points (27), goals (tie - 11), assists (16), and power play goals (6). The 6-4, 205-pound left wing has appeared in all 33 games for the Barons this season.

Keeping It Clean

Defenseman Aaron Power has appeared in six games for the Barons so far this season and has yet to earn any penalty minutes. Another Baron who has been following the rules is right wing Shane Joseph, who has not received a penalty in his last 20 games and has just six penalty minutes in 31 games this season. As a whole, the Barons average 19.3 penalty minutes per game, which is the fourth lowest average in the league.

Who's Hot

Ryane Clowe has points in three of his past four games, bringing his season total to 10 points (5-5-10) in seven games....Josh Hennessy has recorded four points (1-3-4) in his past five games...defenseman Tim Conboy scored his fifth goal of the season in Friday's game against Toronto, surpassing his goal total from last year (4).

Recent Transactions

The San Jose Sharks recalled defenseman Josh Gorges from the Barons on December 15th. Gorges has played one game with the Sharks before being assigned to Cleveland, where he has earned five points (2-3-5) in 18 games.

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

12-19 Off-Day

12-20 Practice Lakefront Arena 10:30am

12-21 Pre-Game Skate National City Rink at the Q 10:00am

12-21 vs. Chicago National City Rink at the Q 7:05pm

12-22 Pre-Game Skate National City Rink at the Q 10:00am

12-22 vs. Hamilton National City Rink at the Q 7:05pm

12-23 vs. Grand Rapids Van Andel Arena 7:00pm

12-24 Off-Day

12-25 Off-Day

12-26 Practice Lakefront Arena 2:30pm

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.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2005


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