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RiverBlades' Unbeaten Streak Ends at 12

February 10, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Arkansas RiverBlades News Release


The Arkansas RiverBlades went 0-2 last week, and fell from second place to fourth place in the Southwest Division standings.

Arkansas now stands at 26-15-8, 60 points, fourth in the Southwest Division.. The Blades trail the Pensacola Ice Pilots by one point for third place, and the Mississippi Sea Wolves by two points for second. The Louisiana IceGators continue to lead the division with 68 points.

Last week...Arkansas rode its 12-game unbeaten streak into two home match-ups this past week. First, it was a division clash with the Mississippi Sea Wolves on Thursday. Buddy Smith racked up three assists and Damon Whitten added a goal and an assist, but the Blades fell 6-5 to Mississippi, snapping Arkansas' 12-game unbeaten streak. Dean Stock and Matt Pagnutti each had 2 assists, and 5 different players scored in defeat for Arkansas.

Then, on Friday, the RiverBlades fell behind early to the ECHL-leading Peoria Rivermen, and then came up just short, losing 4-2 at the Alltel. Garry Toor and Ernie Hartlieb lit the lamp for the Blades. It was Hartlieb's first goal since returning from the AHL's Worcester IceCats.

Team Leaders... Buddy Smith continues to lead the ECHL with a team-record 51 assists and 73 points. Smith has 18 points in his last 10 games, and a +7 rating during that span. Jason Bermingham has 14 points in his last 10, and leads the team with 27 goals and 13 power-play goals. Terry Marchant has set a new career-high with 36 assists and 51 points this season. Marchant is also two goals away from his career high of 17. Matt Pagnutti has a career-high 11 goals and is tied for fourth among ECHL defensemen with 39 points. Captain Eric Long leads the team with a +14 rating, and ranks sixth among blue-liners with 36 points. Mike Sandbeck has also set a new career mark this year with 9 goals, and is just two points from his personal best of 21, set last year.

A look ahead...The RiverBlades return to action this week, traveling to Pensacola for Thursday and Friday bouts with the Ice Pilots, then returning to the Alltel Arena for a division battle with the Mississippi Sea Wolves on Saturday. All games can be heard on the CSN radio network, FM 101 The River, and on the Internet at www.riverblades.com.

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