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Knights playoff push picks up steam

March 21, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


Omaha, NE - The Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights tied two season highs last week, stretching their overall win streak and road win streak to five games. Both streaks came to an end on Monday with a loss at Milwaukee. Still, victories at San Antonio and at home against Milwaukee helped the Knights extend their lead over the Iowa Stars to six points in the quest for the final playoff spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs. The Knights are now 32-26-2-8, good 74 points and fourth place in the West Division. They begin a four-game home stand on Thursday when they host the division-leading Houston Aeros. They'll finish the week on Saturday when they welcome the Peoria Rivermen. 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, March 15: Ak-Sar-Ben Knights 2, San Antonio Rampage 1
In the second game of the two-game trip, the Rampage grabbed the early lead on a goal by Pavel Brendl. The Knights responded 4:03 later when Tomi Maki tipped in a shot by Mark Giordano during a powerplay. The deciding goal also came on the powerplay. Ajay Baines tried to pass across the crease but the puck hit a defender and ricocheted in at 17:33. Brent Krahn earned the win in goal with 22 saves.

Saturday, March 18: Ak-Sar-Ben Knights 2, Milwaukee Admirals 1 OT
The Knights struck on a powerplay in the first two minutes of the game. Carsen Germyn stepped down the right wing and fired a shot on goal. Goaltender Pekka Rinne made the save, but Mark Giordano threw home the rebound at 1:54. The Admirals tied the game later in the first on a powerplay goal by Greg Classen. Zenith Komarniski decided the game a little more than three minutes into overtime. He raced the length of the ice and tucked in the rebound of his own shot. Brent Krahn earned the win with 18 saves.

Monday, March 20: Milwaukee Admirals 1, Ak-Sar-Ben Knights 0
The Admirals scored the only goal of the game at 8:36 of the first period. Darren Haydar dropped a pass in the slot that Simon Gamache one-timed past Curtis McElhinney. The Knights' best chance came in the third when Tim Hambly's slap shot hit the post. McElhinney was strong in goal with 32 saves. It was the first time the Knights had been shutout since November 4th.

THE WEEK AHEAD:
DAY/DATE EVENT TIME BROADCAST
Mon., Mar. 20 Game @ Milwaukee 7:00 p.m. 1420 AM, Web, B2
Tues., Mar. 21 Travel Day
Wed., Mar. 22 Practice @ OCA 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Thurs., Mar. 9 Morning Skate @ OCA 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Game vs. Houston 7:00 p.m. 1420 AM, Web, B2
Fri., Mar. 24 Practice @ MIP 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 25 Morning Skate @ OCA 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Game vs. Peoria 7:00 p.m. 1420 AM, Web, B2
Sun., Mar. 26 Practice @ OCA 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Legend
OCA--Omaha Civic Auditorium
MIP--Moylen Ice Plex
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.

All times Central time (Subject to change)

OPPONENTS THIS WEEK:
Thursday, March 23 vs. Houston Aeros (Minnesota Wild), 7:00 p.m.
Seventh meeting of ten; fourth of five meetings in Omaha
The Ak-Sar-Ben Knights play the West Division's top team for the second time in as many weeks on Thursday. The Knights earned their first win against the Aeros on March 12th, a 6-1 victory at the Civic. They are now 1-2-1-2 against Houston this season. Thursday's game marks the first of five road games for Houston. The Aeros begin the week in first place in the West with a record of 45-19-2-2, good for 94 points. They are the first West Division team to clinch a playoff spot even though they are winless in their last three games and 4-5-1-0 in their last ten. Kirby Law leads Houston and the American Hockey League in scoring with 36 goals and 57 assists for 93 points. Erik Westrum is second with 92 points including a team and league best 61 assists. He is currently on recall to the Aeros' NHL affiliate, the Minnesota Wild. The Aeros also feature the AHL's top rookie scorer in Patrick O'Sullivan. He has a team-leading 42 goals and 78 points to rank third in team scoring. Miroslav Kopriva and Seamus Kotyk share time in the Houston net. Kotyk has a 12 wins in 26 appearances and has posted a 2.95 goals-against average. The Aeros do not play before visiting the Knights.

Saturday, March 25 vs. Peoria Rivermen (St. Louis Blues), 7:00 p.m.
Eighth meeting of ten; fourth of five meetings in Omaha
The Rivermen make their second visit of the month to Omaha on Saturday. Peoria sits in third place in the West Division with a record of 38-23-3-4, good for 83 points. That puts them nine ahead of the Knights. Peoria won the last meeting 5-2 on March 5th thanks to a Gavin Morgan hat trick. The Knights are 2-4-1-0 against Peoria this season. Jon DiSalvatore leads the Rivermen in scoring with 18 goals and 40 assists for 58 points in 61 games. His assist total also paces the team. Mike Glumac is second in team scoring with 57 points including a team best 25 goals but he remains on recall to the St. Louis Blues. Veteran goaltender Gregg Naumenko makes his fourth AHL stop in Peoria after previous hitches with Chicago, Portland and Albany. He's accumulated a record of 7-7-0 in 17 games. He has a 3.07 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage. The Rivermen host the San Antonio Rampage on Friday before coming to Omaha.

KNIGHTS NOTES:
Defenseman Mark Giordano had points in six straight games (2-7-9) before having that streak snapped on Monday in Milwaukee.

In his last two games, goaltender Curtis McElhinney has allowed one goal in the last 61 shots, a save percentage of 98.4%.

Prior to Monday's loss, the Knights had won 14 of their last 17 games, outscoring their opponents 53-19 in those games.

The Knights begin the week having won three straight home games.

The Knights had scored powerplay goals in six straight games prior to Monday's loss, scoring at a 24% clip.

TRANSACTIONS:
3/18/06 ADD Adam Pardy (D), recalled from loan to Las Vegas (ECHL)

IN THE COMMUNITY:
Radio Appearance, Tuesday, March 21: Knights' head coach Ryan McGill will be appearing on "Unsportsmanlike Conduct" on 1620 The Zone at 4:45 p.m.

Radio Appearance, Tuesday, March 21: Knights' play-by-play voice Dave Ahlers will be appearing on Pinnacle Sports Network's "Sports Nightly" program (KFAB AM 1110 in Omaha) at 7:40 p.m. He will speak about the Knights' season to date and look forward to the upcoming week.

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.

MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT:
On Saturday, the Knights will host Military Appreciation Night. Complimentary tickets to the game are available at Nextel stores in Omaha, Bellevue and Lincoln and at Nextel's offices on 143rd Street in Omaha. Nextel will set up a phone bank so that families can call loved ones around the globe. The Red Cross will offer its Vidi-Connect services so that families can send video greetings as well.

PAPER AIRPLANE TOSS RESULTS:
The tallies are in. The Ak-Sar-Ben Knights raised $1,073 for the March of Dimes through their first annual Paper Airplane Toss last Saturday night. Fans purchased paper airplanes for $1 and then tossed them at the sunroof of a new Chrysler PT Cruiser with a chance to win the car. There was no winner. Fans also made donations for photos with Miss Nebraska and Miss Nebraska Teen USA.

AK-SAR-BEN KNIGHTS TEAM STATISTICS (As of 3.21.06):
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.

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