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Knights Finish Home Stand, Hit Road

March 19, 2007 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


Just four weeks remain in the regular season for the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights. In that time, they've got to secure their first-ever berth in the Calder Cup Playoffs. They'll finish off a brief three-game home stand on Wednesday against Milwaukee before beginning a four-game road trip. This week, the Knights make stops in Houston and San Antonio on Saturday and Sunday. The Knights earned three of six possible points last week with a win in Milwaukee, an overtime loss to Chicago and a regulation loss to Peoria. They are now 39-22-4-1, good for 83 points, just one point from tying their total from last season. The record puts the Knights four points behind Chicago with three games in hand. More importantly, the Knights are just three points ahead of third-place Milwaukee with two games in hand. The top two teams in the West Division will receive home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Tickets are on sale for all upcoming Knights' home games at the Omaha Civic Auditorium box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets may be purchased by phone at (402) 422-1212. Kids 12 and under get in free with an adult admission. Restrictions apply.

OPPONENTS THIS WEEK:

Wednesday, March 21 vs. Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators/Edmonton Oilers), 7:00 p.m.

Tenth of ten meetings; fifth of five meetings in Omaha

The Ak-Sar-Ben Knights and the Admirals play for the final time during the regular season on Wednesday. The Knights are 8-1-0-0 against the Admirals this season including a 3-1-0-0 mark at the Civic Auditorium. The Knights lead the all time series, 11-5-0-3. Each of the last six games between the two teams have been decided by one goal. Three of those games have gone to a shootout. The Admirals are in third place in the West Division with a record of 34-22-4-8, good for 80 points. That puts them just three behind the Knights. The Admirals are 18-10-1-5 on the road. Cal O'Reilly leads current players in scoring with 14 goals and 38 assists for 52 points. Goalie Pekka Rinne has played 20 games since returning from an off-season injury. He's 10-5-4 with a team-leading 2.48 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage. The Admirals do not play before visiting the Knights.

Saturday, March 24 @ Houston Aeros (Minnesota Wild), 7:35 p.m.

Ninth of ten meetings; fifth of five meetings in Houston, TX

The Knights make their final visit of the season to Houston on Saturday. The Knights have gone 7-0-0-1 against the Aeros this season including a mark of 3-0-0-1 in Houston. Like their season series with Milwaukee, nearly every one of these games has been close. Six of the eight games have been decided by two goals or fewer. All time, the Knights are 10-3-1-4 against the Aeros. Houston begins the week in seventh place in the West Division with a record of 22-35-3-6, good for 53 points. The Aeros are 13-14-1-4 at home. Matt Foy leads the Aeros in scoring with 24 goals and 21 assists for 45 points in 57 games. Defenseman Curtis Murphy is second in team scoring with 33 points including a team-best 26 assists. Dieter Kochan has played a team-high 18 games with fellow goaltender Josh Harding on recall to Minnesota. He's 3-13-1 with a 3.20 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage. The Aeros finish a five-game road trip on Tuesday and Wednesday with games at Manitoba. They'll host Rochester on Friday before welcoming the Knights.

Sunday, March 25 @ San Antonio Rampage (Phoenix Coyotes), 5:00 p.m.

Seventh of ten meetings; fourth of five meetings in San Antonio, TX

The Knights conclude the weekend in San Antonio for the first of two games against the Rampage. The two teams will meet again on Tuesday, March 27th. The Knights are 4-1-1-0 against the Rampage this season including a record of 2-0-1-0 in San Antonio. All time, the Knights are 10-4-1-1 against the Rampage. San Antonio starts the week in sixth place in the West with a record of 28-36-1-4, good for 61 points. The Rampage is 16-15-0-2 at home this season. Yanick Lehoux leads the team in scoring with 25 goals and 39 assists for 64 points. Donald MacLean is second with 53 points including a team-best 29 goals. Both David LeNeveu and Josh Tordjman have won 12 games in goal this season. Tordjman leads the team with a 2.64 goals-against average and .919 save percentage. The Rampage plays at home against Rochester on Saturday before hosting the Knights.

IN THE COMMUNITY:

Face-Off Luncheon, March 20: The Ak-Sar-Ben Knights will host their fourth "Face-Off Luncheon" at The Ice House at 108th and Maple Streets in Omaha at 12:15 p.m. Coaches Ryan McGill and Scott Allen along with players Warren Peters and David Van der Gulik will speak about the on-going season. Calgary Flames' professional scouts Tom Webster and Ron Sutter also will be in attendance.

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