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IceCats Win Both Games over Weekend

March 11, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester IceCats News Release


Wed., Mar. 12 vs. Lowell Lock Monsters - Worcester's Centrum Centre
IceCats vs. Lowell: IceCats Trail Season Series 1-4 Broadcasts: Mike Thornton on WTAG 580; worcestericecats.com

This is the sixth of eight regular season meetings between these two clubs. Last season, Lowell finished tops in the North Division. This season, however, it appears they will not qualify for the playoffs. Lowell is 16-42-5-3, with 40 points through 66 games. The 40 total points is last in the 28-team AHL. Ryan Bayda is pacing the club with 43 points, despite being on recall to the Carolina Hurricanes. They won their last game 3-2 in overtime in Philadelphia.

Fri., Mar. 14 vs. Norfolk Admirals - Worcester's Centrum Centre
IceCats vs. Norfolk: IceCats Lead Season Series 1-0
Broadcasts: Mike Thornton on WTAG 580; worcestericecats.com
The IceCats made their inaugural trip to Norfolk, Virginia on Saturday, marking the first-ever game between the Norfolk Admirals and the IceCats. The 'Cats defeated the Admirals, 2-1. Friday night is the final regular season meeting between these teams. The Admirals are ranked third in the Western Conference and seventh overall in the AHL. They put their 32-20-8-4 record on the line as they host Hershey on Wednesday night.

Sat., Mar. 15 @ Binghamton Senators - Binghamton, New York
IceCats vs. Binghamton: IceCats Lead Season Series 1-0
Broadcasts: Mike Thornton on WTAG 580; worcestericecats.com
The last time these two teams met on February 1st, the IceCats came away with a 2-1 victory. Cody Rudkowsky made 22 saves in the win. The Sen's are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 76 points, just nine points ahead of Worcester. The Senators are 5-5 in their last 10 games and host the Saint John Flames on Friday.

Sun., Mar. 16 vs. Cleveland Barons - Worcester's Centrum Centre
IceCats vs. Cleveland: IceCats Trail Season Series 0-1
Broadcasts: Mike Thornton on WTAG 580; worcestericecats.com
The 21-37-4-4 Barons make their first-ever appearance at Worcester's Centrum Centre on the IceCats Annual St. Patrick's Day Jersey Auction and Post-game Autograph Day. The Barons are 9-21-2-1 away from Gund Arena and are 5-5 overall in their last 10 games. With a 5-4 loss on Sunday, goalie Vesa Toskala's record is now 15-30-2 on the year and is the first AHL goaltender to suffer consecutive 30-loss seasons since Marcel Paille in 1965-66 and 1966-67. This Sunday's Jersey Auction will benefit the Worcester Parks and Recreation Department.

IN THE COMMUNITY: Out and Around Worcester & Neighboring Communities

ICECATS PROMOTIONS/APPEARANCES:

ICECATS PLAYERS:

* "Tip A 'Cat For Education" Celebrity Waiter Dinner/Charity Auction - Mon., March 31st from 6-9 PM at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Downtown Worcester. Dinner will be served by the IceCats and great items will be up for auction all to benefit the Union Hill School of Worcester. For more information or for tickets, please contact the IceCats at 508-798-5400. Tickets are also on sale at all home games prior to the event.

SCRATCH:

* SKATE WITH SCRATCH! - Join us at our Annual Skate with Scratch event. Bring your skates and hang out with Scratch and other kid fans and have the opportunity to win cool prizes from the IceCats. Skate with Scratch will take place on Saturday, March 29th from 2-4 PM. It will be held at Buffone Arena (284 Lake Ave., Worcester) Admission is just $3 per person at the door and skate rentals will be available.

'CAT TAILS:

* The IceCats are undefeated in their last four games, 2-0-2. Worcester is also has just two losses in their last 10 games, garnering a record of 5-2-3.

* When Reinhard Divis appeared in goal for Worcester on Friday, he became the sixth goalie to be used by the IceCats this season. The other goalies include: Brent Johnson, Curtis Sanford, Cody Rudkowsky, Phil Osaer and Scott Stirling. Besides Johnson (2 games), Divis (2 games) and Rudkowsky (7 games), 54 games have been started by a rookie netminder (Sanford, Osaer, Stirling)

* Twelve of the IceCats last 15 games are against Eastern Conference opponents, including 10 games against North Division foes.

* Friday and Sunday's match-ups against Norfolk and Cleveland will commemorate the first time either team has appeared at Worcester's Centrum Centre.

* The IceCats power play is ranked seventh, clicking 18.1% of the time.

* Worcester has allowed six shorthanded goals this season, the fourth fewest in the 28-team AHL.

* The IceCats tied a franchise record with their win on Saturday in Norfolk. They are unbeaten in six straight road games.

LOOKING BACK AT WEEK 22: 2 WINS

2-1 WIN - Fri., Mar. 7 @ Philadelphia Phantoms - Philadelphia, PA ATT: 6,088
GOALS: WOR: Justin Papineau, Christian Backman PHIL: Sharp

NOTES: The Worcester IceCats defeated the Philadelphia Phantoms Friday night, 2-1 in overtime. The game was just the second time the IceCats have earned a win in overtime this season. Christian Backman notched his first game-winning goal and his fourth power play goal to secure the much-needed two points for the IceCats. The game also signaled the return of goaltender Reinhard Divis to the ice. Divis had been sidelined for nearly five months with an abdominal and groin injury. He made 28 saves in his first AHL game of the season.

2-1 WIN - Sat., Mar. 8 @ Norfolk Admirals - Norfolk, VA ATT: 5,295
GOALS: WOR: Chris Corrinet, Tom Koivisto NOR: Hankinson

NOTES: Saturday night, the IceCats made their inaugural trip to Norfolk, Virginia for their first-ever contest with the Norfolk Admirals. Behind the strength of Reinhard Divis' 28 save performance and multiple points from Chris Corrinet's and Sergei Varlamov, the 'Cats defeated Norfolk, 2-1. Corrinet had one goal and one assist and Varlamov finished with two assists. Divis now has two wins in as many games.

IceCats Leaders

Goals: 21 Sergei Varlamov, Justin Papineau

Assists: 35 Sergei Varlamov

Points: 56 Sergei Varlamov

Plus/Minus: +13 Aris Brimanis

PIM'S: 138 Igor Valeev



American Hockey League Stories from March 11, 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.

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