Kingfish Weekly

November 18, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Baton Rouge Kingfish News Release


Improving: The Kingfish continue to improve on the penalty kill. The Kingfish did not give up a power play goal in two consecutive games for just the second time this season this past weekend. In addition, the Kingfish kept a team other than the Jackson Bandits off the board on the power play. Jackson went 0-5 on the power play on Saturday, while the Ice Pilots went 0-4 on the man advantage on Sunday. The Kingfish are currently in 22nd place in the ECHL, killing off 77.2% of opponent's power plays.

Shake Up: The Kingfish made some roster moves last week as they added forward Mike Kiesman, defenseman Kevin Tucker as well as goaltender Brian Leitza. In addition, the Kingfish waived goaltender Paxton Schafer and defenseman Toni Bader. The Kingfish acquired Tucker in a trade with the Peoria Rivermen while Leitza and Kiesman were free agent acquisitions.

Back in Baton Rouge: Brian Leitza returned to Baton Rouge on Saturday after beginning the season overseas with the Cardiff Devils in England. Leitza holds numerous Kingfish and overall team career records including most games played (80), most saves (2445), most minutes played (4590:47) and most wins (33). In addition to career records, Leitza holds numerous Kingfish and overall team single season records including best save percentage (.915 - 00/01), lowest goals against average (2.72 – 00/01) and most saves (1558 – 01/02).

Back on Track: The Kingfish have now picked up a power play goal in each of their last three games after being held off the scoreboard in the previous five games. The Kingfish, who went 0-35 in that stretch, are 3-9 since tallying a power play goal on November 10th vs. Arkansas.

In a Funk: The Kingfish are in the middle of a 9 game winless streak. The team's longest losing streak is 10 games and dates back to the days of the Erie Panthers during the 1994-95 season. That year, the team lost 10 straight between January 25, 1995 and February 11, 1995. The Huntington Blizzard and the Roanoke Valley Rampage both have the dubious distinction of holding the longest winless streaks in ECHL history as they both dropped 16 straight.

Kingfish leaders: Clark Jones leads the Kingfish in scoring 12 points off 6 goals and 6 assists. Glenn Crawford moved into second as he added an assist in last night's 3-1 loss vs. Pensacola, pushing his total to 11. Crawford has 3 goals and 8 assists on the season.

Last Week's Games:

November 16, @ Jackson 2, Baton Rouge 1 (ot)

The Kingfish surrendered the first goal the game for the 13th time this season. An early goal by Mike Vigilante gave Jackson the 1-0 lead as he deflected a centering pass into the back of the net. The lead would stand until late in the third when Steve Cheredaryk's laser beat Garner to send the game into overtime. Jeff Bes slipped a loose puck past Blair with 1:26 left in the overtime to give Jackson the win. The Kingfish kept Jackson off the scoreboard on the man advantage while the Kingfish scored their only goal of the evening on the power play.

November 17, vs. Pensacola 3, Baton Rouge 1

Under three minutes into the first period, Pensacola took a 1-0 lead. Greg Pankewicz's one timer beat Jeff Blair for the early score. The lead didn't last long as Trevor Wasyluk tied the game up at 1-1 on the power play. Pensacola regained the lead before the end of the opening stanza on a goal by Jeremy Van Hoof who flipped the puck over Blair's shoulder and into the top of the net. Pensacola was out shot in the final two periods by a combined 19-9, as Pensacola only managed 3 shots on goal in the second period. Matt Elich added the final goal for the Ice Pilots as he threw the puck into the empty net.

This Week's Games:

Tuesday, November 19th vs. Jackson, 7:05 p.m. (104.5 WZRB)

Kingfish battle the Bandits for the 6th time in less than 2 months. The Kingfish will see Jackson another 6 times in the next 4 months. Jackson has won the last three meetings after the Kingfish won the first two. Baton Rouge is 2-2-1 this season against the Bandits.

Friday, November 22nd @ Louisiana, 7:05 p.m. (104.5 WZRB)

Just the third meeting between the Kingfish and the IceGators this season. Home ice has been the difference in this series so far - Louisiana won 5-3 on October 19th at the Cajundome, while the Kingfish beat Louisiana 3-1 at the Centroplex on October 26th. In two games against the IceGators, the Kingfish have tallied 4 goals on 12 power play opportunities.

Sunday, November 24th, @ Mississippi, 5:05 p.m. (104.5 WZRB)

It's game 4 of the Coca-Cola Cup between the Kingfish and the Sea Wolves. Kingfish are winless this season against the Sea Wolves as Mississippi leads the season series 3-0-0. The Kingfish had their worst outing of the season in Mississippi back on October 27th, a 4-1 setback to the Sea Wolves.

This Week's Practice Schedule:

All practices are open to the public unless otherwise specified, Please call to verify practice times.

Monday: 10 a.m. to 12 noon skate @ Centroplex

Tuesday: Game vs. Jackson, 7:05 face off (pre game skate approx. 10 a.m.) Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 12 noon skate @ Centroplex

Thursday: 10 a.m. skate @ Leo's Ice Land (near Cortana Mall)

Friday: Game @ Louisiana, 7:05 face off (Bus leaves approx. 3:30 p.m.)

Saturday: day off

Sunday: Game @ Mississippi, 5:05 face off (Bus leaves approx. 12:30 p.m.)

Bringing a Smile: The Kingfish will be bringing smiles to the children's wing at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital off Essen Road on Thursday. A few Kingfish players will visit and talk with the children staying at the hospital.

Stocking Stuffers: Get ready for the Holidays with a 12-pack of Kingfish Freedom vouchers. Get 12 vouchers good for any Kingfish regular season home game for the price of 11 tickets and save. Freedom Voucher packages start as low as $121. Call the Kingfish office at 225-336-GOAL for more information.



ECHL Stories from November 18, 2002


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