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Greensboro Generals Weekly Intelligence Report

March 17, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greensboro Generals News Release


UPCOMING WEEK: The Greensboro Generals franchise record eight game road trip finally comes to a close this week, but not without three vitally important games to finish it off. The first two games are tonight and tomorrow night in Estero, FL against the Florida Everblades. Despite being weeknight contests, both games begin at 7:30. Greensboro won the only previous match-up between the two clubs 5-3 at home in November. They are also 2-0-0 all time against the Everblades, winning in Florida last season. After getting a few days off, the Generals have a crucial matinee contest against their border rival Roanoke Express on Sunday at 4:05 from the Roanoke Civic Center. Greensboro is only 1-3-1 against the Express this year, but wins on Sunday and on March 26 against the Express will greatly increase their chances of clinching a playoff spot. All games this season can be heard on WPET AM-950 and online at www.greensborogenerals.com.

LAST WEEK:

3/11 GREENSBORO 1, SOUTH CAROLINA 2 - Despite peppering the Stingrays and their goaltender Kirk Daubenspeck with 42 shots, the Generals could only manage just the one goal. Mark Turner provided the Generals with a 1-0 lead with a shorthanded goal five minutes into the game. However, South Carolina struck for a pair of second period scores, and held on to the lead for dear life, with Daubenspeck stealing the show. Generals' goaltender Daniel Berthiaume was also spectacular in the game, stopping 29 of 31 shots.

3/14 GREENSBORO 4, PEE DEE 5 (SO) - The Generals earned a point by beating the buzzer, but they couldn't pull out the victory in the extra session. Greensboro took the early lead on a Rod Aldoff score, only to have the Pride retaliate with three unanswered goals for a 3-1 advantage after one period. Greensboro chipped away at the deficit, with Matt Turek scoring in the second period and Kurt Drummond knotting the score at 3-3 early in the third period. Pee Dee regained the lead with just under eight minutes remaining in regulation, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. With the puck in their own end with just 15 seconds remaining, the Generals were able to get the puck into the offensive zone, steal a clearing attempt, and set up a Sam Ftorek slap shot from 45 feet out. Ftorek's blast found the back of the net with one second remaining in regulation to tie the game, earning the Generals a tie. Pee Dee won the shootout 2-1 to pick up the victory.

3/15 GREENSBORO 4, PEE DEE 5 (SO) - In a near mirror image of the previous night's game, the result was the same for the Generals in their second straight game against the Pride. This time, it was Pee Dee taking a 1-0 lead, only to have the Generals score three consecutive power play goals from Matt Turek, Jay Murphy, and Mark Turner. The Pride then stole the momentum away, scoring once in the second period and twice in the third for a 4-3 lead. Once again, the game was decided in the final moments, with Rod Aldoff tying the game with only 1:50 left in the contest, setting up a second straight shootout. In a nailbiting seven rounds, Pee Dee won the shootout 1-0, with Greg Schmidt scoring the game-winning goal.

TRANSACTIONS:

3/14 Placed right wing Pete Gardiner on the 7-day injured list

3/14 Activated defenseman Alex Andreyev from the 7-day injured list.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY APPEARANCES:

"Generals University" is in session on Thursday afternoon at Parkview Elementary School in High Point and Friday and next Monday afternoon at Colfax Elementary School in Greensboro. "Generals University" has been designed by the Generals to teach children in third, fourth, and fifth grade about diversity in sports.

NOTABLES:

- There is currently only a three point differential from second place to fifth place in the Generals' northeast division going into the final two weeks of the regular season. The top four teams in the division make the playoffs.

- A combination of 13 points worth of Generals victories (2 points) and ties (1 point) or Charlotte Checkers losses or ties will clinch the first Generals playoff berth in team history.

- The Generals fell out of second place for the first time since November 22 on Saturday.

- Former Pee Dee Pride players Matt Turek and Rod Aldoff each scored a goal in both games at Pee Dee over the weekend in their first return to the "Lion's Den".

- Four of the last six road games for the generals have been ties.

- Matt Turek has ten points (3g, 7a) in his last seven games.

- Following their current eight-game road trip, the Generals finish the season with five games in the final week, with four of them being played at home.

THE FRONT LINE: The Generals coaches show The Front Line airs live tonight on WPET 950-AM from 6:00 - 7:00, but it will not air at their normal Jack Astor's Bar and Grill location. Join Generals head coach Rick Adduono and broadcaster Arley Johnson live from TECO Arena in Estero, Florida for an extended pre-game show, a look back at last week and a preview of the week ahead. Fans are strongly encouraged to call in their questions before the game at (336) 275-9738.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEE:

PLAYER: Jay Murphy - Murphy contributed one goal and three assists for four points in three games this week. His week was highlighted by a one goal, one assist, eleven shot effort on Saturday. He also contributed a +1 rating for the week.

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