Frostbite drop pair on opening weekend

Published on October 19, 2004 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Adirondack Frostbite News Release


WEEK IN REVIEW (0-2-0):

The Adirondack Frostbite lost two 3-1 games against Danbury and Fort Wayne opening weekend. Each game was close in the third period, but an empty net goal in Danbury Friday night and a late goal in the third period Saturday night against Fort Wayne gave both teams two goal victories. Adirondack sits in fourth in the Eastern Division, four points out of first.

Frostbite – 1 at Danbury – 3 Friday, October 15th

The Adirondack Frostbite gave up two early goals and were unable to overcome the deficit falling to the Danbury Trashers 3-1. Danbury scored twice on the power play in the first period, but the Frostbite answered back with a Hugo Belanger goal in the second period. An empty net goal in the third by the Trashers finished off the victory. Frostbite goalie Derek Gustafson was strong in goal stopping 35 of 37 shots.

Frostbite – 1 vs. Fort Wayne – 3 Saturday, October 16th

The Adirondack Frostbite came up short against the Fort Wayne Komets falling for the second straight night by a final of 3-1. Fort Wayne grabbed an early 1-0 lead, which lasted until the third period. Trevor Segstro got the only Frostbite goal 46 seconds into the period, but only seconds later Rob Guinn scored to give the Komets the lead back. Fort Wayne added a goal late to put the game away.

TEAM NOTES:

FRANCHISE FIRSTS: With the Frostbite beginning their inaugural season many first are going to happen over the next few games. Friday night Belanger scored the first goal in franchise history.

NHL CALIBER: This season the Frostbite have inserted players with National Hockey League experience into the lineup. Three active players, Gustafson, Sylvain Cloutier and Bruce Gardiner have played in the NHL. Neil Wilkinson, who will be joining the team next week, is also a seasoned NHL veteran.

RETURNING FOR ANOTHER SEASON: In the Frostbite's opening night lineup there were nine players who also skated in Adirondack last season including, Belanger, Cloutier, Scott Drevitch, David Burgess, Jason Jaworski, Segstro, Frank Bakrlik, David Vychodil and Frank Littlejohn. Kamil Kuriplach was in Adirondack two seasons ago and returns after a one year hiatus.

AHL TRAINING: Two players for the Frostbite began the season in AHL training camp. Gustafson was with the Portland Pirates, while Segstro was with the Springfield Falcons.

RECORD BREAKING: After Saturday's game Belanger has played in 300 games with Adirondack over his five year stay in the North Country.

WELCOME BACK: Four players in the Fort Wayne lineup Saturday night had spent a portion of their career playing in an Adirondack uniform. Last season Corey Lucas played 33 games in Adirondack after being traded here from Kalamazoo. Troy Neumeier spent parts of the 1994-95 and 1995-96 season with the Adirondack Red Wings. Sean Venedam also played for the Red Wings during the 1996-97 season, but only for 13 games. Finally, Colin Chaulk made a brief four game appearance with the Red Wings during the 1998-99 season.

ROOKIE CROP: This season the Frostbite have many strong rookies on the squad. Three dressed on opening weekend including goalie Jan Chovan, left wing Scott Page and center Simon St. Pierre. Defenseman Henrik Bergfors will be joining the Frostbite later in the week and Queensbury, NY native Ryan Bennett is also a rookie, but is currently on the 7-Day Injured Reserve List.

AND THE NAME IS: During the first intermission Saturday night the Adirondack Frostbite Polar Bear was named Knuckles. The name was introduced be ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman. Frostbite owners Glenn Morelli, Steve Levy and Barry Melrose were also in attendance.

PRO DEBUTS: Friday night against the Danbury Trashers, St. Pierre made his pro debut.

ATTENDANCE HIGH: Saturday night's crowd of 4,076 was the highest opening night attendance since the inaugural season of UHL Hockey in the North Country.

TRANSACTIONS:

October 14th Right Wing Justin Kelly was assigned to the Frostbite from the Springfield Falcons (AHL)
October 16th Frostbite acquired goalie Jan Chovan in a trade with the Flint Generals
October 16th Frostbite released goalie Pierre-Olivier Girouard

THE UPCOMING WEEK:

Frostbite at Elmira – Wednesday, October 20th & Sunday, October 24th

Adirondack will play its first and second of 18 games this season against the Jackals, Wednesday and Sunday. The two teams met in the preseason splitting a home and home series. All-time Adirondack is 35-21-6 against Elmira.

Frostbite at Richmond – Friday, October 22nd

Richmond and Adirondack will face each other for the first of 17 times this year. All-time Adirondack is 4-13-4 against the RiverDogs.

Frostbite vs. Danbury – Saturday, October 23rd

This is the second of 17 times these two teams will meet this season. Danbury won the season opener between the two teams 3-1. Hugo Belanger had the lone goal for the Frostbite. For Danbury the three goals were scored by John Morlang, Blake Bellefeuille and Mike Bayrack. All-time Adirondack is 0-1-0 against the Trashers.

IN THE COMMUNITY:

Frostbite players Frank Littlejohn and Trevor Segstro along with head coach Marc Potvin and radio broadcaster Keivn Boryczki were at Davidson Brothers Restaurant in Glens Falls last night for the "In the Box" radio show with Dan Miner. The broadcasts can be heard every Monday from 7:00 to 8:00 pm on WCKM 98.5 FM. Next week Rick Davidson will be giving one lucky person a free meal for every night's "In the Box" show.

THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE:

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20th Adirondack at Elmira 7:00 pm First Arena

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22nd Adirondack at Richmond 7:35 pm Richmond Coliseum

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23rd Danbury at Adirondack 7:05 pm G.F. Civic Center

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24th Adirondack at Elmira 5:00 pm First Arena

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from October 19, 2004


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