Men O\' War Down Storm Heading into All-Star Break

Published on January 20, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Burlington News Release


Lexington, KY-The Men O' War downed the Northwest Division-leading Toledo Storm in Toledo to finish the weekend 1-1. On Friday, the MOW were shutout for the first time in over a month when the Greenville Grrrowl beat the MOW 2-0 at Rupp Arena. The MOW rebounded with Saturday's win in Toledo. This week the MOW take on the heavyweights of the Northwest Division. The Peoria Rivermen visit Rupp Arena on Friday night. The Rivermen are second in the division with 56 points in 39 games and have the second best winning percentage in the league (.718). The Storm visit Rupp Arena on Saturday.

The Storm hold the best record in the ECHL (27-7-6) and the best winning percentage in the league (.750).

Schedule for Week of January 20th– January 26th

Monday, January 20th – Wednesday, January 22nd: All-Star Break
Thursday, January 23rd:
Practice at Rupp Arena 10:00 a.m-Noon
Friday, January 24th:
Morning Skate at Rupp Arena 10:00 a.m.
Game vs. Peoria at Rupp Arena 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 25th:
Morning Skate at Rupp Arena 10:00 a.m.
Game vs. Toledo at Rupp Arena 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 26th:
Practice at Rupp Arena 10:00 a.m.-Noon

Friday, January 17th –Greenville 2 at Lexington 0

The Men O' War ended their two game win streak with a 2-0 loss to Greenville on Friday night. Matt Demarski scored twice for the Grrrowl to end Greenville's four-game losing streak. Jayme Platt stopped all 28 Lexington shots en route to his third shutout of the season. Mike Smith took the loss for the MOW stopping 23 of 25 Grrrowl shots.

Saturday, January 18th– Lexington 3 at Toledo 2 SO

Lexington over came some crazy odds on Saturday night in Toledo. Without their coach, in a building which had only seen one regulation loss this year, against the best team in the league, the Men fought for a long drawn out win. Dan Murphy was huge in net stopping 36 of 38 shots in regulation and seven of eight in the shootout. Captian Kevin Knopp scored the game winner in the eight-round shootout beating Toledo's Mike Minard up high. Mark Smith and Jared Smyth scored in regulation for the MOW.

UPCOMING GAMES......

The Men O' War face the top two teams in the Northwest Division this weekend. On Friday, the MOW face-off with the Peoria Rivermen. The MOW are 1-3-1 this season against Peoria. The Men O' War have only been beaten three times in regulation at home since November 17th-with two losses coming to the Rivermen. Tyler Rennette has scored six points (4g, 2a) against Lexington this season. Rennette is also one of only two players to score a shorthanded goal this season at Rupp Arena. Van Burgess (1g, 4a) and Mark Smith (3g, 2a) lead the season series amongst Men O' War with five points in five meetings. The Toledo Storm come to Rupp Arena on Saturday. The Storm lead the Northwest Division with 60 points in 40 games. The Storm will be looking for revenge after dropping their last two decisions to the MOW. The season series is even at 2-2 with each team winning one home game and one road game in the series. Storm rookie Matt Ellis leads the series with five points (1g, 4a) in four games. Mark Smith has four points (3g, 1a) in four meetings with the Storm.

All-Star Performance

Mike Smith will represent the Men O' War at this week's ECHL All-Star Game in Estero, Florida. The rookie goalie leads the ECHL with a 2.44 GAA. Smith also ranks in the top-10 in save percentage (.915). He holds a 9-7-3 record in 20 games with the Men O' War. On October 26th vs. the Dayton Bombers at Rupp Arena, Smith became the first goalie ever to record his first pro win, get a shutout and score a goal on the same night. In addition to his accomplishments with the MOW, Smith has played three games with the AHL's Utah Grizzlies. In those three games Smith has a 2-1 record with a 2.62 GAA and a .934 save percentage.

MOW Tracks

Mike Sgroi is tied for the Northern Conference lead with 17 major penalties...Brett Draney leads the MOW with three game-winning goals...Goalie Dan Murphy ranks fourth in the ECHL with a .810 shootout save percentage ...Lexington is tied for the league lead with only two shorthanded goals allowed.

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