Knights Step Outside West Division

Published on January 9, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


After playing 22 straight games against their West Division brethren, the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights will battle two teams from the other half of the Western Conference this week with a home game against Toronto and a road game at Grand Rapids. Then, they'll finish the week back at home hosting West Division foe Houston. The Knights earned three out of a possible six points last week with an overtime loss in Peoria, a win in Milwaukee and a loss to Chicago. Omaha begins the week in second place in the West Division with a record of 21-13-3-0, good for 45 points. That puts them ten points behind Chicago with two games in hand. They are just two points ahead of Peoria and Iowa who are tied for third. 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, January 10 vs. Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs), 7:00 p.m.

Second of two meetings; only meeting in Omaha

The Knights play their first game against a North Division team since November 14th when they host the Marlies on Wednesday. The Knights will be looking for a sweep of the two game season series after a 4-1 win in Toronto on November 9th. All time, the Knights are 2-1-0-0 against Toronto. The road team has won each game in the series. The Marlies begin the week in fifth place in the North with a record of 15-19-2-3, good for 35 points. The Marlies are just 4-13-2-1 at home while they are 11-6-0-2 on the road. Erik Westrum leads the Marlies in scoring with 14 goals and 26 assists for 40 points. The assist total also leads the team. Bret Engelhardt is second among current players with 28 points including a team-leading 15 goals. Jean-Francois Racine and rookie Justin Pogge man the Marlies' nets. Each player has earned nine wins this season. Racine has a team-best 3.09 goals-against average while Pogge leads the team with a 0.897 save percentage. The Marlies do not play before visiting the Knights.

Friday, January 12 @ Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings/Edmonton Oilers), 6:00 p.m. CST

Second of four meetings; second of two meetings in Grand Rapids, MI

The Knights and the Griffins renew acquaintances after a nearly three month gap in the season series. The Knights earned their first ever win against Grand Rapids on October 14th, a last second 4-3 triumph at Van Andel Arena. The Knights are 1-3-0-1 against the Griffins all time. Grand Rapids has a record of 17-15-4-2 to start the week. That puts the Griffins in fourth place in the North Division. They are 9-9-2-2 at home this season and have played well lately, earning points in five straight games. Veteran Kip Miller leads the Griffins in scoring with 15 goals and 27 assists for 42 points in 38 games. His goal and assist totals also lead the team. Jimmy Howard has carried most of the load in net for the Griffins, posting a record of 12-12-1 in 28 games this season. He also sports a 2.89 goals-against average and a 0.904 save percentage. The Griffins host Peoria on Wednesday before welcoming the Knights.

Saturday, January 13 vs. Houston Aeros (Minnesota Wild), 7:00 p.m.

Fifth of ten meetings; third meeting in Omaha

The Ak-Sar-Ben Knights finish the week with their fifth meeting of the season against Houston. The Knights are a perfect 4-0-0-0 against the Aeros this season, although each of the last two meetings were settled in a shootout in Houston. All time, the Knights are 7-3-1-3 against the Aeros including a record of 5-0-0-2 at home. The Aeros currently hold down sixth place in the West Division with a record of 16-18-0-4, good for 36 points. They are 8-9-0-1 on the road this season. Matt Foy leads the Aeros in scoring with 15 goals and 15 assists for 30 points in 32 games. Defenseman Curtis Murphy is second in scoring with five goals, a team-leading 16 assists and 21 points. There is no goalie in the AHL busier than Josh Harding. He has played in a league-leading 1966 minutes, going 15-14-3 with a 2.50 goals-against average to rank ninth in the league. He ranks second in AHL saves with 924. The Aeros travel to Iowa on Friday before visiting the Knights.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 9, 2007


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