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Knights Stun Rampage In Last Minute, 4-3

December 27, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


Eric Godard scored a shorthanded goal in the final minute of regulation to help the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights to a 4-3 come-from-behind win over the San Antonio Rampage at the AT&T Center. Andrei Taratukhin, who set up the game-winner, figured in on all four Knights' goals.

The Rampage seized the lead on a fortunate bounce at 7:16 of the first period. A shot from the point caromed off a crowd in front of Curtis McElhinney right to Randall Gelech. He hammered the puck into a half-open net for his seventh goal of the year.

San Antonio doubled its lead with a powerplay soon after the first goal. Bryan Helmer set up Jeff Taffe for a one-timer from the face-off circle that beat a screened McElhinney to make it 2-0 after one period.

The Knights used the powerplay to their advantage in the second period. With former UNO Maverick Bill Thomas in the penalty box, Tim Hambly slipped down the slot, took a pinpoint feed from Taratukhin and snapped a quick shot past goalie David LeNeveu for his first goal of the season.

Later in the period, the Knights went back on the powerplay and again they hit paydirt. Taratukhin won a face-off just inside the San Antonio blueline. Hambly gave the puck right back to him. Taratukhin split two defenders and beat LeNeveu over the glove hand to make it 2-2.

But just 21 seconds later, the Rampage had the lead back. Chris Ferraro got free behind the Knights' net and beat McElhinney with a wraparound shot to make it 3-2 after two.

The Knights came out with a determined effort in the third period, taking the play to the Rampage and drawing three straight minors. While on a five-on-three powerplay, Carsen Germyn sent a perfect cross-crease pass that Taratukhin fired past LeNeveu to tie the game at three.

Late in the third, the Knights got into penalty trouble. Germyn would receive a holding penalty at 18:19 but in the final minute of regulation, Taratukhin stole the puck in the Knights' zone, raced down the left wing and tossed a perfect pass to a streaking Godard who steered the puck past LeNeveu for his second goal of the year. It came with just 35 seconds remaining in the game.

The Rampage took an immediate time out and then pulled LeNeveu for the extra attacker, but they never got another shot on Brent Krahn who had started the third period in place of McElhinney. He stopped all seven shots he faced in the period to earn the win, his ninth of the year.

The win improves the Knights to 19-10-2-0, good for 40 points.

Three Stars: 1. Andrei Taratukhin (OMA) - 2 goals, 2 assists; 2. Tim Hambly (OMA) - 1 goal, 2 assists; 3. Jeff Taffe (SA) - 1 goal, 1 assist

The Ak-Sar-Ben Knights now return home to host Iowa on Friday, December 29th and Peoria on Saturday, December 30th. Both games start at 7:00 p.m. Friday's game marks the beginning of the "Kids' Weekend Celebration". Friday features an appearance by the ZOOperstars sponsored by Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and the Lozier Imax Theater. On Saturday, it's Kids' New Years with a post-game indoor fireworks show, the largest in Nebraska.

Tickets for all Ak-Sar-Ben Knights' games are on sale at the Omaha Civic Auditorium box office Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets also are available through all Ticketmaster outlets and by phone at (402) 422-1212. Kids 12 and under get in free with a paid adult on tickets purchased after 5:00 p.m. Other restrictions apply.



American Hockey League Stories from December 27, 2006


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