Knights Sneak Past Americans, 3-2

Published on February 25, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


Rochester, NY - An empty net goal by defenseman Zenith Komarniski proved to be the game winner as the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights beat the Rochester Americans 3-2 on Friday night at Blue Cross Arena. The win was the Knights' third in four tries on their season-high five-game road trip.

The Knights seized the lead early in the first period. Justin Taylor sped down the left wing, got around a defenseman and threw a perfect pass in front to Derek Couture who tapped in his sixth goal of the year.

The Amerks tied the game just 1:23 later. Jiri Novotny and Matt Hendricks broke into the zone two-on-one, and Novotny set up Hendricks for a one-time shot that beat Brent Krahn.

The Knights retook the lead early in the second period. Ajay Baines brought the puck down the right wing, held on until the backcheckers skated past and then fed Dave Moss who fired home his 17th goal of the year. Moss now has goals in five straight games, a team season high.

Omaha went looking for more later in the period when the Amerks were whistled for two penalties within 23 seconds of one another. Rochester killed off the five-on-three to keep the deficit at just one after two.

The Knights did a good job of limiting the Americans to good scoring chances in the third period, holding them to six shots. With time winding down, Rochester goalie Jean-Marc Pelletier was pulled for an extra attacker. In heavy traffic, Komarniski grabbed the loose puck and flipped a shot that found the empty net from about 150 feet away.

That goal turned out to be the game winner as Nathan Paetsch scored for the Amerks with just two seconds to go in the game.

The Knights are now 25-24-2-7. They have won seven of their last eight games. The Knights finish off this season-high five-game road trip on Saturday night when they visit the Toronto Marlies at 6:00 p.m. Central time. All the action can be heard on 1420 AM KOTK and on the internet at omahaaksarbenknights.com. The game also can be seen on-line by clicking on the link to B2 Networks on the Knights' home page.

The Knights next home game is Friday, March 3rd when they host the Manitoba Moose at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets for all home games are on sale at the Civic Auditorium box office, Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., on Sunday from noon through game time and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets may be purchased by calling 422-1212 or at Ticketmaster.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 25, 2006


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