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Knights Get (All-Star) Break

January 30, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


January 30, 2006

Omaha, NE - The Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights will enjoy some well-deserved time off after two busy weeks to finish the month of January. The Knights and the rest of the American Hockey League will enjoy a three day-break for the 2006 Rbk Hockey AHL All-Star Classic in Winnipeg, Manitoba before returning to action this weekend. The Knights will host the Chicago Wolves on Friday and Saturday, February 3rd and 4th. Omaha is coming off a stretch of seven games in twelve days, including four games in five days last week. The Knights snapped a seven-game losing streak with a win at Cleveland last Wednesday. They returned home for a hard fought loss to Grand Rapids on Friday, beat Iowa in a shootout the next night and then finished the week with an overtime loss to Peoria on Sunday. The Knights begin the week in fifth place in the West Division of the AHL with a record of 18-22-2-7, good for 45 points. 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, January 25: Ak-Sar-Ben Knights 4, Cleveland Barons 2 The Knights surrendered the first goal of the game and then got a powerplay tally from Eric Nystrom and an even-strength goal from Carsen Germyn to lead 2-1 after one. The Barons tied the game midway through the second period, but the Knights got two goals in 27 seconds to take the lead for good. Justin Taylor scored on the powerplay, and Lynn Loyns scored the first penalty shot goal in team history. Brent Krahn earned the win with 25 saves.

Friday, January 27: Grand Rapids Griffins 3, Ak-Sar-Ben Knights 2 The Knights fell behind 3-0 in the game before it was ten minutes old but battled back to control the game for the final 50 minutes. Chris Neiszner got the Knights on the board in the first period, and Lynn Loyns tallied in the second period to draw the Knights to within one. It was as close as they would get in spite of outshooting the Griffins 21-8 over the last two periods including an 11-2 edge in the third. Brent Krahn took the loss in goal with 18 saves.

Saturday, January 28: Ak-Sar-Ben Knights 3, Iowa Stars 2 SO The Knights twice fought back from one-goal deficits in their last visit to Des Moines this season. Cam Severson got a powerplay goal in the first period, and Justin Taylor had a powerplay goal late in the third period to send the game to overtime and then the shootout. Richie Regehr and Mark Giordano each scored in the shootout, and Brent Krahn stopped four of five Iowa shots for the win.

Sunday, January 29: Peoria Rivermen 3, Ak-Sar-Ben Knights 2 OT The Knights forged ahead late in the first period when Lynn Loyns scored his third goal of the week at 18:18. The Rivermen rallied for a powerplay goal and a shorthanded goal to lead 2-1 after two. Tomi Maki tied the game early in the third period, converting a feed from Justin Taylor. In overtime, Peoria wasted little time, getting a goal from Trent Whitfield just 21 seconds into the extra frame to win it. Curtis McElhinney suffered the loss in goal with 23 saves.

THE WEEK AHEAD: DAY/DATE EVENT TIME BROADCAST Mon., Jan. 30 Day Off Tues., Jan. 31 AHL All-Star Break Wed., Feb. 1 AHL All-Star Break Thurs., Feb. 2 Practice @ OCA 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Fri., Feb. 3 Morning Skate @ OCA 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Game vs. Chicago 7:00 p.m. 1420 AM, Web, B2 Sat., Feb. 4 Morning Skate @ OCA 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Game vs. Chicago 7:00 p.m. 1420 AM, Web, B2 Sun., Feb. 5 Day Off

Legend OCA--Omaha Civic Auditorium 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: Friday & Saturday, February 3 & 4: vs. Chicago Wolves (Atlanta Thrashers), 7:00 p.m. both nights Eighth and ninth meetings of ten; fourth and fifth meetings of five in Omaha The Ak-Sar-Ben Knights play host to the Wolves for the final time this season. Following the action this weekend, the two teams have just one more meeting-April 5th in Chicago. The Knights lead the season series 4-3-0-0, but the Wolves have won the last two meetings after four straight wins by the Knights. Chicago begins the week in sixth place in the West Division with a record of 16-20-2-6, good for 40 points. That puts them five behind the Knights, but the Wolves also have five games in hand. Ramzi Abid leads the Wolves in scoring with 23 goals and 25 assists for 48 points. His goal and assist totals are also team highs. Chicago's goaltending chores have been handled by committee. Currently, Adam Berkhoel, Michael Garnett and Steve Shields are on the roster. Garnett has played the most games (12). Shields has the team's best goals-against average (2.25) and save percentage (0.902), but he has played in only four games. The Wolves do not play before visiting Omaha.

KNIGHTS NOTES: The Knights allowed a season-low 13 shots on goal at Iowa on January 28th.

Defenseman Richie Regehr leads the team with three shootout goals.

Center Chris Neiszner scored his first American Hockey League goal on January 27th against Grand Rapids.

TRANSACTIONS: 1/25/06 ADD Richie Regehr (D), returned on loan from Calgary (NHL) 1/25/06 ADD Doug Andress (D), signed to PTO 1/26/06 DELETE Doug Andress (D), released

IN THE COMMUNITY: Radio Appearance, Monday, January 30: Knights' play-by-play voice Dave Ahlers will be appearing on Pinnacle Sports Network's "Sports Nightly" program (KFAB AM 1110 in Omaha) at 6:40 p.m. He will speak about the Knights' season to day and look forward to the upcoming week.

Player Appearance, Monday, January 30: Knights' center Warren Peters and defensemen Tim Hambly will be appearing at a practice of the Metro Classic Hockey League, an adult league geared toward players learning the sport of hockey, at 9:00 p.m.

Player Appearance, Wednesday, February 1: The Knights will be visiting Children's Hospital in Omaha at 2:00 p.m. to meet patients and sign autographs.

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.

AK-SAR-BEN KNIGHTS TEAM STATISTICS (As of 1.30.06): Click here to view Ak-Sar-Ben Knights player stats. Click here to view Ak-Sar-Ben Knights goalie stats.

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.

POST-GAME SKATE WITH THE TEAM: The Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights are holding a post-game skate with the team following their game with the Chicago Wolves on Saturday, February 4th. Fans are invited to bring their skates and join the players on the ice of the Civic Auditorium. Players will be available for autographs and pictures. Children will be required to wear helmets at the event.

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