Lynx, Aces each shorthanded for weekend set

January 28, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Augusta Lynx News Release


As shorthanded as the Augusta Lynx are as they prepare for today's game against the Alaska Aces, the fates have conspired to make sure the team they are facing for the first time ever has a roster that is equally depleted.

The Aces will be without goaltender Chris Beckford-Tseu (St. Louis); forwards Chris Menard (Albany), Cam Keith (Peoria), and Ryan Ramsay (Peoria); plus defenseman Patrick Wellar (Peoria). Tack on to that team captain Keith McCambridge is out with an injury, further shortening the defensive side of the bench. Finally, all-star defenseman Ryan Gaucher may or may not see action for the Aces this weekend while nursing an injured ankle.

Alaska looks to get a boost from the return of veteran forward Kimbi Daniels, who has not played a game this year after having shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum back in October. The 32-year-old forward skated in just 40 games last season, but did play a key role in Alaska's playoff run last year after the injury to NHL star Scott Gomez.

Augusta, meanwhile, will still be without the services of forwards Nicolas Corbeil (Lowell) and Joel Stepp (Portland); defenseman Eric Lundberg (Albany); and goaltender Mike Wall (Portland). Corbeil and Stepp are first and second, respectively, in scoring for the Lynx this year, while Lundberg leads the team with a +6 rating. Wall's departure has put the starting role firmly on the shoulders of Jason Wolfe, who has played well this season for the club despite his 7-10-0 record this year.

Heading into today's game, the Aces hold the National Conference's second-best home record at 17-2-1, trailing only Las Vegas at 17-1-2. Their home rink, Sullivan Arena, has ice that is Olympic size at 200' x 100' - a full 15 feet wider and longer than what the Lynx are used to at home.

Plus, with the University of Alaska-Anchorage playing at home twice this weekend on Friday and Saturday night, the Lynx have yet to skate on the huge pond, instead forced to a back practice rink that is more along the lines of what the Lynx are used to.

"We just have to be more conscious of the extra space on the ice," said Lynx head coach Bob Ferguson. "There's certainly going to be an adjustment period, but hopefully we can get through it quickly, weather the storm, and go from there."

These two games mark the first time this year the Lynx have played outside the Southern Division, let alone the American Conference. Augusta and Alaska have never faced each other prior to today's game.

Today's game will face off at 6:05 pm EST, and tomorrow's game will be at 9:05 pm EST, with the Classic Stucco and Stone Pre-Game Show starting one half-hour earlier on your Home for Lynx Hockey, NEWSTALKSPORTS 1630. The game will also be available on pay-per-view video through B2 Networks for $6, and audio will be broadcast free via www.sportsjuice.com.

Augusta's next home game will be February 10th against the Charlotte Checkers at 7:35 pm. Tickets are on sale now through the Lynx office at (706) 724-4ICE, on line at www.TicketMaster.com, or via all TicketMaster locations. Seats are $15, $14, and $11, with Comcast Cable subscribers getting discount seats. Call (706) 724-4ICE for more information or to book your seats today!



ECHL Stories from January 28, 2006


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