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Generals Weekly Intelligence Report

March 31, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greensboro Generals News Release


UPCOMING WEEK: Let the battle for the Kelly Cup begin! The Greensboro Generals will take on their border rival Roanoke Express in the Northeast Division semi-finals in a best of five series. The Generals have home-ice advantage for the series by virtue of their second place finish in the division, while Roanoke is the third seed. The Generals first playoff game in their four-year franchise history will be played at the Greensboro Coliseum on Thursday night at 7:00 for Game 1 of the series. Even in the playoffs, Thursday's game is a "Thirsty Thursday," with R. H. Barringer offering dollar drafts all night long. Game 2 of the series will also be played at the Greensboro Coliseum on Friday night at 7:30. The series then moves up Route 220 to the Roanoke Civic Center for Game 3 on Saturday night at 7:35. If necessary, Game 4 of the series will also be in Roanoke on Tuesday, April 8 at 7:05. If Game 5 needs to be played, an interesting scenario will arise. The Generals will have home-ice advantage for the game, but the site and date for the game is yet to be determined due to scheduling conflicts with the Coliseum. Playoff tickets are available on a game-to-game basis for $12.00, $14.00, $16.00, $19.00, and $22.00. You can also purchase the entire 13-game playoff package at a $2.00 discount per ticket, effectively giving fans playoff tickets at regular season prices. All playoff games can be heard live on WPET AM-950 and online at www.greensborogenerals.com.

LAST WEEK: 3/25 ATLANTIC CITY 2, GREENSBORO 3 ¨ The Generals won a critical divisional matchup in one of the most dramatic games of the season. The Boardwalk Bullies took a 1-0 lead in the opening minute of the game, but Sam Ftorek quickly tied things up for Greensboro. Atlantic City regained the lead in the second period, setting the stage for the come-from-behind victory. Bryan Richardson tied the game one minute into the third period. With overtime looming, the Generals beat the clock and the Bullies. Mike Bayrack won a battle for the puck in the corner and fed a streaking Geno Parrish in the slot. Parrish slipped a forehand past Atlantic City netminder Matt Yeats for the game-winning goal with just 3.8 seconds left in the contest.

3/26 ROANOKE 2, GREENSBORO 4 ¨ The Generals' offense was held in check for most of the game by the Express, but they came through when they needed it most. The Generals trailed 1-0 in the first period, and it stayed that way for most of the second period. However, Jay Murphy evened the score with six seconds left in the middle stanza. Roanoke again went ahead 2-1 early in the third period, but the Generals erupted for three goals in the final 5:10 of the game. Mike Oliveira tied the game at 2-2, setting the stage for Rod Aldoff to slap home the game-winning goal with just 1:22 left in the contest. Murphy's second of the night in an empty net sealed the victory for Greensboro, while Daniel Berthiaume stopped 39 shots in goal for the win.

3/28 CHARLOTTE 3, GREENSBORO 4 ¨ It was a night of firsts in front of 6,620 fans for the Generals in perhaps the most important game of the season. In a recent switch, it was the Generals who grabbed an early lead, with Geno Parrish and Matt Chandler connecting in the first period for a 2-0 edge. The Checkers stormed back in the second, however, tallying three goals in less than four minutes to gain the momentum and the lead at 3-2. David Whitworth scored a critical goal for the Generals in the final minute of the second period to right the ship and tie the game at 3-3. The game-winning goal went to Jay Murphy early in the third period, and the defense and Daniel Berthiaume, who made 44 saves, made it stand up. The win accomplished two things for the Generals. They won the Carolina Cup, going to the team that wins the season series between Greensboro and Charlotte, for the first time in team history. More importantly, the Generals victory also clinched their first Kelly Cup playoff berth in team history.

3/29 LEXINGTON 3, GREENSBORO 4 ¨ The Generals clinched home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs with their come-from behind triumph over the Men O' War. Greensboro spotted Lexington a 2-0 lead less than five minutes into the game. Matt Chandler put the Generals on the board seconds later, only to have the Men O' War regain their two-goal lead at 3-1 less than twelve minutes into the contest, sending Daniel Berthiaume to the bench in favor of Sebastien Centomo. Centomo played shutout hockey the rest of the way, making 24 saves along the way, allowing the Generals to mount their comeback. Matt Turek made the score 3-2 on the power play in the first period. Jay Murphy evened the score at 3-3 early in the second frame. The Generals' Pete Gardiner scored the game-winning goal in the opening minute of the third period, sending a crowd of 4,189 home happy in the regular season home finale.

3/30 GREENSBORO 3, GREENVILLE 2 (SO) ¨ Greensboro finished the season with their franchise record seventh straight victory, going the extra session against the Grrrowl to get the job done. Greensboro trailed 1-0 in the first period, but Bryan Richardson evened the score just seconds before the break. It stayed 1-1 well into the third period, when David Whitworth put the Generals on top with 7:44 left in the game. Greenville responded to tie the game with 3:45 remaining, setting up a dramatic seven-round shootout. After both teams went scoreless in the first five rounds, each team scored in round six. David Whitworth rose to the challenge again, however, beating former NHL goaltender Damian Rhodes in round seven, while Sebastien Centomo denied the Grrrowl's final attempt. Centomo finished the night with 31 saves for his second victory in as many nights.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE:

Tuesday: 10:00 – 11:00 @ Greensboro Coliseum.

Wednesday: 10:00 – 11:00 @ Greensboro Coliseum.

Thursday: 10:00 – 10:45 @ Greensboro Coliseum.

Friday: 10:00 – 10:45 @ Greensboro Coliseum.

NOTABLES:

¨ The Generals finished the season with a franchise record seven game winning streak and a nine game home winning streak (also a franchise record).

¨ David Whitworth became the Generals all-time leader in games played at 183 in the last game of the regular season Sunday in Greenville, breaking a tie with Sal Manganaro. He played the game in style, scoring a goal and getting the game-deciding goal in the seventh shootout round.

¨ Mark Turner broke Whitworth's record for most assists by a General in a season at 43 on Saturday night.

¨ Daniel Berthiaume's tied his 17-year personal high for victories in a season at 30 on Friday night against Charlotte.

¨ Sam Ftorek's goal on Tuesday tied Sal Manganaro for the most goals scored by a General in a season at 33.

¨ The Generals franchise-record 32 straight penalty kills finally ended on Saturday against Lexington. The Generals went six straight games from March 17 – 28 without allowing a single power play goal.

¨ Greensboro finished the season second in the league in penalty killing percentage at a sparkling 85.2%.

¨ The Generals mounted the fourth best single season point increase in league history this year, improving by 39 points from last years total of 54 points. They finished with 93 this year.

THE FRONT LINE: The first playoff version of the Generals coaches show The Front Line airs live tonight on WPET 950-AM from 6:00 – 7:00 from Jack Astor's Bar and Grill on High Point Rd. Join Generals head coach Rick Adduono and broadcaster Arley Johnson for a look back at last week and a preview of the week ahead. Generals players appear weekly on the show, tickets will be given away at Jack Astor's, and fans can call in their questions to coach Adduono at (336) 275-9738.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEES:

PLAYER: Jay Murphy — Murphy was an integral part of the Generals perfect 5-0-0 week to close out the regular season. The Generals captain posted four goals and three assists for seven points in those five games, including a two goal, one assist performance against Roanoke on Wednesday and the game-winning goal on Friday against Charlotte.

GOALIE: Sebastien Centomo — Centomo was a perfect 2-0-0 for the week with a miniscule 1.06 goals against average and a stellar .965 save percentage. The highlight of his week was a 24-save shutout performance in 48 minutes of hockey against Lexington in a 4-3 come-from-behind victory. He also denied six of seven shootout attempts in Sunday's victory over Greenville.



ECHL Stories from March 31, 2003


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