Knights Take Top Spot In Western Conference

Published on April 16, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


The Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights locked up the top spot in the Western Conference with a stirring 4-2 win over the Chicago Wolves in the last game of the regular season. The Knights will begin the Calder Cup Playoffs in a best-of-seven game series against the Iowa Stars beginning on Friday.

The Knights used the powerplay to take a 2-0 lead in the game. First, Carsen Germyn fed Chris Lee with a pass at the blue line. He walked down the slot and fired a shot off the goalpost past goalie Michael Garnett. The five-on-three powerplay goal was the fourth goal of the season for Lee.

The lead doubled on a later powerplay when Warren Peters snapped in a wrist shot off the crossbar for his career-high 16th goal of the year.

The Wolves closed the gap just 50 seconds later with the two teams skating four-on-four. Corey Larose got loose in the slot and lifted a backhand shot over Curtis McElhinney to make it 2-1 after one period.

The teams traded goals in the second period. Larose would tip home a shot by Andy Delmore to make it 2-2. Just 1:03 later, the Knights retook the lead when a centering pass from Adam Pardy was deflected in by Brandon Prust to put the Knights up 3-2 after two.

Peters scored an empty net goal of a face-off from his own zone in the third period as the Knights limited the Wolves to just six shots on goal.

The Knights finish the season with a record of 49-25-5-1 and 104 points. The win, their 27th on the road this year, ties an AHL record for road wins in a single season.

Three Stars: 1. Corey Larose (CHI) - 2 goals; 2. Curtis McElhinney (OMA) - 24 saves; 3. Brandon Prust (OMA) - Game-winning goal.

Click here for game sheet.

The Knights will now prepare for their first round playoff series with the Stars. It begins on Friday, April 20th at 7:00 p.m. at the Civic Auditorium. Game two of the best-of-seven series will be on Saturday, April 21st at 7:00 p.m., also at the Civic.

Tickets for all Ak-Sar-Ben Knights' home games in the 2007 Calder Cup Playoffs 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.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 16, 2007


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