Sports stats



Greensboro Generals Weekly Intelligence Report

March 24, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greensboro Generals News Release


UPCOMING WEEK: The Greensboro Generals finish off the regular season this week with the only five-game week of the year. Fortunately, with the battle for a playoff spot as tight as it has ever been in the ECHL's northeast division, four of the five games are at the Greensboro Coliseum. The Generals' first home game in over three weeks will be played tomorrow at 7:00 when they host the division leading Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies. On Wednesday, the Roanoke Express come to town for another 7:00 contest. That game is a rescheduled game after weather postponed the February 16 contest. Wednesday is also "Wacky Wednesday", with all goal view tickets being sold for only $5.00. Following Thursday off, the Generals host the Charlotte Checkers on Friday night at 7:30. That game will determine the winner of the Carolina Cup, which goes to the team that wins the season series. If the Generals defeat Charlotte in regulation, they will claim the Carolina Cup for the first time in team history. Friday's contest is also Team Photo night, with the first 1,000 fans receiving a free team picture, and following the game the players will be in the Coliseum plaza signing autographs. The Generals regular season home finale is Saturday night at 7:30 against the Lexington Men O' War. The regular season ends with a Sunday matinee at the Greenville Grrrowl at 3:05. All games this season can be heard on WPET AM-950 and online at www.greensborogenerals.com.

With the race for the playoffs as tight as it is, the Generals will not be able to clinch a playoff spot until Friday at the earliest. Therefore, a first round playoff schedule will not be announced until Sunday or Monday.

LAST WEEK:

3/17 GREENSBORO 1, FLORIDA 3 ¨ After Mike Bayrack gave Greensboro a 1-0 lead just four minutes into the game, they were held in check from there. The Everblades tied the game at 1-1 in the second period, then took the lead for good in the opening minutes of the third period. Florida added an empty net goal to seal the win.

3/18 GREENSBORO 4, FLORIDA 2 ¨ The Generals snapped their season high six game winless streak with a strong road performance to split the two game set with the Everblades. Kurt Drummond put Greensboro on the scoreboard first for a 1-0 advantage. After Florida evened the score in the second period, Mike Bayrack regained the lead for the Generals at 2-1. Florida again responded in the opening minute of the third period to knot the game at 2. However, Sam Ftorek put the Generals ahead to stay with just 5:03 left in the contest as he converted a Matt Turek feed. With the Generals shorthanded in the final two minutes, Daniel Berthiaume made the lead stand up in goal, and Ftorek added a shorthanded empty net score with four seconds remaining.

3/23 GREENSBORO 4, ROANOKE 1 ¨ The Generals won in Roanoke for the first time in four tries this season. The Express scored just 1:24 into the game, but it would be the only goal Daniel Berthiaume would allow all night against his former club. Sam Ftorek tied the game in the first period, and Bryan Richardson scored the eventual game-winning goal midway through the second period. Mark Turner added to the lead minutes after Richardson's tally, and Matt Turek put the game away with a third period goal. Berthiaume finished the night with 31 saves to earn the victory.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE:

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

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

Thursday: 10:00 – 11:30 @ Greensboro Coliseum.

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

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

UPCOMING COMMUNITY APPEARANCES:

"Generals University" is in session this afternoon at Colfax Elementary School in Greensboro, with Sam Ftorek and Matt Chandler scheduled to speak. The final G. U. of the season takes place on Thursday afternoon at Alderman Elementary School in Greensboro, with Matt Chandler joined by Mike Oliveira. "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 two point differential from second place to fifth place in the Generals' northeast division going into the final week of the regular season. The top four teams in the division make the playoffs.

¨ If the Generals get three wins and a tie in their final five games, they will clinch the first playoff berth in team history.

¨ The Generals have killed off 18 straight shorthanded situations, including a perfect nine-for-nine against Roanoke on Sunday.

¨ Despite not winning for six straight games, the Generals finished their franchise record eight game road trip just one game under .500 at 2-3-3.

¨ 17-year veteran Daniel Berthiaume is three wins shy of tying his personal high of 30 victories in a season.

¨ Sam Ftorek needs one goal to tie Sal Manganaro for the most goals scored by a General in a season at 33.

¨ Mark Turner needs two assists to tie David Whitworth for the most assists by a General in a season at 42.

¨ If David Whitworth plays in every game this week, he will become the Generals all-time leader in games played at 183.

THE FRONT LINE: 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, broadcaster Arley Johnson and Generals players Mike Bayrack and Kurt Drummond 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: Sam Ftorek — Under trying circumstances, Ftorek had a spectacular week. In three games, Ftorek scored three goals and added four assists for seven points, adding a +3 rating. His week was extra remarkable considering his father Robbie Ftorek was let go as head coach of the Boston Bruins during the week.

GOALIE: Daniel Berthiaume — Berthiaume had a strong week, posting a 2-1-0 record with a 1.68 goals against average and a stellar .954 save percentage. The highlight of his week was a 31 save performance to beat his former team the Roanoke Express. The victory also gave him a new personal ECHL high for victories in a season at 27.

• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...

ECHL Stories from March 24, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central