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Knights begin five-game home stand

November 14, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


Omaha, NE - Their travels finished for a while, the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights began their longest home stand of the season on Sunday with the first of five straight games at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. The Knights finished off a four-game road trip with back-to-back losses to the Houston Aeros before returning home on Sunday where they lost to the Toronto Marlies in game one of the home stand. The Ak-Sar-Ben Knights begin the week tied with Milwaukee for third place in the West Division with a record of 5-8-0-3, good for thirteen points. Milwaukee has played six fewer games. The Knights have two home games this week, hosting the San Antonio Rampage on Thursday and the Hamilton Bulldogs on Friday. Both games start at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for all home games are on sale all week at the Civic Auditorium box office from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 422-1212 and at Ticketmaster.com. The box office is open through the opening face-off on game nights.

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:
Wednesday, November 9: Houston Aeros 2, Ak-Sar-Ben Knights 1
Wednesday's game marked the third straight one goal game between the two teams, each won by Houston. The Aeros erased a one-goal deficit with two second-period goals and hung on for the win. The Knights opened the scoring at the 15:20 mark of the first. Mark Giordano took a pass from Carsen Germyn, twisted through traffic and threw a wrist shot past goaltender Josh Harding for his third goal of the season. Houston made adjustments in the second period, and it paid off. First, Erik Westrum notched his team-leading tenth goal of the year, banging in a rebound while falling down. The goal came just 2:28 into the period. Later with Houston on the powerplay, Roman Voloshenko steered a pass from Erik Reitz past Curtis McElhinney to give the Aeros their first lead of the game. It held up thanks to the goaltending of Harding who made 18 saves for his seventh win of the year.

Friday, November 11: Houston Aeros 5, Ak-Sar-Ben Knights 1
The Aeros finished the sweep of the two-game series, winning 5-1 on Friday night. Patrick O'Sullivan had two goals, and goaltender Josh Harding made 29 saves to earn the win. The Aeros struck first just as a powerplay ended. Curtis Murphy set up defensive partner Clayton Stoner who beat Brent Krahn with a slap shot through a screen for his second goal of the season. Less than four minutes later, Peter Olvecky gathered in a loose puck, swept behind the Knights' net and fed Rem Murray who threw a wrist shot past Krahn to put the Aeros up 2-0 after one period. The Knights had a 10-5 shot advantage in the second period, but the Aeros would score the only goal of the frame. O'Sullivan collected a pass from Petr Taticek, broke down the right wing and beat Krahn over his glove hand. Harding picked up the other assist. There was little chance for a Knights' comeback bid in the third period. O'Sullivan added his second of the season off a breakaway, and Roman Voloshenko scored off a face-off to make it 5-0. Tomi Maki spoiled Harding's shutout bid with his fifth goal of the year at 8:16 of the period, but there were few other opportunities to draw closer. Houston's 5-1 win is their fourth win in as many games against the Knights.

Sunday, November 13: Toronto Marlies 5, Ak-Sar-Ben Knights 3
The Toronto Marlies spoiled Ak-Sar-Ben Knights' homecoming, winning 5-3 at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. Toronto's Jeremy Williams had a goal and two assists in the winning cause. It was the first home game for the Knights in a week and a half. The Marlies scored the only goal of the first period. Ben Ondrus tipped in a shot by Williams during a powerplay at 5:35. Toronto doubled their lead just 1:06 into the second period when Brad Brown beat a screened Curtis McElhinney for his second goal of the year. Kris Newbury later added a goal, his fifth of the year, to put the Marlies up 3-0. The Ak-Sar-Ben Knights have had some rousing comebacks at home, and they began to put one together late in the period. First Carsen Germyn scored his team-leading seventh goal of the year, whipping home a pass from Tomi Maki during a powerplay. Early in the third, Omaha got back to within a goal when Maki converted a net mouth scramble during one of the Knights' 13 powerplays in the game. The comeback was completed when Richie Regehr scored short-handed on a bullet from the blue line that shanked off the glove of Toronto goalie Jean-Sebastien Aubin. Toronto countered just 37 seconds later when defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo got free and beat Brent Krahn, in relief of McElhinney, for the eventual game-winning goal. Williams added an insurance marker with two minutes to play.

THE WEEK AHEAD:

DAY/DATE EVENT TIME BROADCAST
Mon., Nov. 14 Practice @ OCA 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tues., Nov. 15 Practice @ OCA 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Wed., Nov. 16 Practice @ OCA 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Thurs., Nov. 17 Morning Skate @ OCA 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Game vs. San Antonio 7:00 p.m. 1420 AM, Web, B2
Fri., Nov. 18 Morning Skate 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Game vs. Hamilton 7:00 p.m. 1420 AM, Web, B2
Sat., Nov. 19 Day Off
Sun., Nov. 20 Practice at TIA 5:15 p.m.

Legend
OCA--Omaha Civic Auditorium
TIA--Tranquility Ice Arena
Web-Free live audio broadcast of game at omahaaksarbenknights.com (Choose "Listen Live" link from home page)
B2-B2 Networks live, pay-per-view webcast, available at omahaaksarbenknights.com for $6 per game by clicking on B2 Networks link.

OPPONENTS THIS WEEK:
Thursday, November 17: vs. San Antonio Rampage (Phoenix Coyotes), 7:00 p.m.
Second meeting of ten; second of five in Omaha
The Ak-Sar-Ben Knights and the Rampage renew acquaintances after a month-long hiatus in their season series. The Knights earned their first ever home win at San Antonio's expense, beating their visitors 2-0 on October 15th. Cam Severson scored the game-winner in the first period, and Warren Peters added an empty netter in the final minute of regulation. The Rampage are in a tie for sixth place in the West Division with a record of 4-10-0-1. San Antonio has lost seven straight games and is averaging a league-low two goals a game. The Knights are just one spot better, averaging 2.13. The difference has been defense where the Rampage rank 26th in team defense, allowing nearly four goals a game. San Antonio's leading scorer, Steve Gainey, is currently on recall to the Phoenix Coyotes. That makes Layne Ulmer the team's leading scorer with five goals and eight points in 15 games. The Rampage have used four goalies this year. Steve Passmore has played a lion's share of the games, appearing in eleven and posting a record of 4-6-0 with a 3.58 goals-against average. He is also on recall to Phoenix. San Antonio does not play before facing the Knights.

Friday, November 18: vs. Hamilton Bulldogs (Montreal Canadiens/Edmonton Oilers), 7:00 p.m.
First meeting of four; first of two meetings in Omaha
The Bulldogs make their first ever appearance in Omaha on Friday. The two teams will meet again on Tuesday, November 22nd at the Civic Auditorium to complete the Nebraska end of this four-game season series. The Knights will visit Hamilton, Ontario for a pair of games in February. The Bulldogs begin the week in fourth place in the North Division with a mark of 7-7-0-1, good for 15 points. They have won three straight games after a 5-2 victory over Grand Rapids on Saturday. Four players are tied for the team lead in scoring with 13 points. Rookies Jean-Francois Jacques and Andre Benoit are tied with Corey Locke and Ron Hainsey atop the scoring chart. Jacques leads the team with seven goals while Hainsey paces the team with 11 assists. Olivier Michaud has appeared in eight games in net for Hamilton, posting a 2-4-1 record and a 3.48 goals-against average. Yann Danis has played just three games in goal but is a perfect 3-0-0 with a 1.34 goals-against mark. The Bulldogs visit Milwaukee before facing the Knights.

KNIGHTS NOTES:
During their last six games, the Ak-Sar-Ben Knights have killed off 52 of 56 opponent powerplays, a success rate of 92.9%.

Center Dustin Johner made his Knights' debut on Sunday, his first AHL action of the season. Johner played 23 games for Lowell last season, scoring four goals and eight assists.

Wing Tomi Maki has goals in three of his last four games.

TRANSACTIONS:
11/11/05 DELETE Adam Pardy (D), returned on loan to Las Vegas (ECHL)
11/12/05 ADD Dustin Johner (C), recalled from loan to Las Vegas (ECHL)

TICKET SPECIALS AND PROMOTIONS:
The Ak-Sar-Ben Knights will be selling tickets at the Union Pacific Cafeteria on Wednesday, November 16th from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Tickets will be available for games on Thursday, November 17 vs. San Antonio and Friday, November 18 vs. Hamilton. Tickets are $8.00, a savings of $5.00 per ticket.

IN THE COMMUNITY:
Players at O.M.A.H.A., Monday, November 14: Knights' players Lynn Loyns and Steve Marr will be taking part in the Omaha Metro Amateur Hockey Association's Bantam practice at the Benson Park Ice Arena at 7:45 p.m. The Knights will lead the youth players through drills and offer playing tips.

School Visit, Tuesday, November 15: Knights' goaltenders Brent Krahn and Curtis McElhinney will be visiting the Pinewood Elementary School at 60th Street and Sorenson Parkway to read to students at 1:30 p.m.

Radio Appearance, Tuesday, November 15: Knights' play-by-play man Dave Ahlers will be appearing on Pinnacle Sports Network's "Sports Nightly" program (KFAB AM 1110 in Omaha) on Tuesday at 7:40 p.m. He will speak on the Knights' season to date and look forward to the two home games this week.

Radio Appearance, Wednesday, November 16: Knights' play-by-play man Dave Ahlers will be appearing on the "Spicoli's Morning Fiasco" program on 89.7 FM, The River at 9:15 a.m. He will speak on the Knights' season to date and look forward to the two home games this week, including 89.7 The River and The City Weekly College Night on Thursday.

Players visit Children's Hospital, Wednesday, November 16: Players will be visiting patients at Children's Hospital in Omaha at 2:30 p.m. Brantt Myhres, Carsen Germyn, Mark Giordano, Justin Taylor and Brett Palin are scheduled to appear.

The Ak-Sar-Ben Knights' Speakers Bureau is available to provide speakers to local businesses, civic and church groups and other interested organizations holding weekly or monthly meetings and special events. There is no charge for this program. For more information on the Speakers Bureau or to schedule an appearance for your group's next meeting, call Dave Ahlers at (402) 344-GOAL or contact him by e-mail at dahlers@omahaaksarbenknights.com.

OMAHAAKSARBENKNIGHTS.COM
The Ak-Sar-Ben Knights' official web site, omahaaksarbenknights.com, is the comprehensive source for all information about the Knights during the season. Log on for player bios and stats, game recaps, a list of community appearances, stats, photos, great downloads and live links to listen to and watch Ak-Sar-Ben Knights' hockey all season.



American Hockey League Stories from November 14, 2005


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