Roadrunners Weekly

January 19, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Edmonton Road Runners News Release


The Toronto Roadrunners continue their current seven game road trip this week as they play three games. The Roadrunners begin the week by facing the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for the first time in franchise history on Wednesday, January 14. Toronto then faces a pair of North division opponents in back-to-back games as they take on the Syracuse Crunch on Friday, January 16, and Rochester Americans on Saturday, January 17.

The Roadrunners made their first trip to Mile on Stadium in St. John's last week and played back-to-back games against the Baby Leafs. On Friday, January 9, Toronto dropped a close 4-3 decision, and on Saturday, January 10, the Roadrunners and Leafs skated to a 4-4 tie.

Roadrunners Power Play Surging

The Toronto Roadrunners currently possess the league's seventh best power play, operating at 15.5% (26 goals on 168 opportunities).

Cousineau, Henley, each record first AHL point

Toronto Roadrunners defensemen Brent Henley and Dave Cousineau each recorded their first career American Hockey League point last week. Henley assisted on Jamie Wright's third period goal in Friday night's contest against St. John's. It was Henley's eighth career AHL game. Cousineau, who signed a professional try-out contract with the Roadrunners on January 9, recorded an assist in his first career AHL game on January 10.

Lynch among top scoring defencemen

Doug Lynch is tied for seventh in scoring among league defensemen with 7g-14a-21pts in 34 games this season. The 20-year-old rookie was named to the AHL's Canadian All-Star team last week. The native of North Vancouver, B.C., had a goal on Friday against St. John's, and follow that up with a three point performance against the Leafs on Saturday (1g-2a). It was the third multipoint game of the season for Lynch.

Roadrunners Season Individual Leaders

Goals: Jamie Wright (12) Wins: Stephen Valiquette (7)

Assists: Jamie Wright (16) Appearances: Stephen Valiquette (23)

Points: Jamie Wright (28) GAA: Michael Morrison (2.52)

PIM: Rocky Thompson (113) Save Percentage: Michael Morrison (0.908)

+/-: Michael Henrich (+6)

The Week Ahead

Toronto Roadrunners at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Wednesday, January 14 - Wachovia Arena - 7:05 p.m.

This game marks the first ever meeting between these two clubs ... the Penguins (17-14-4-4) are currently in fourth position in the AHL's East division ... Wilkes-Barre has a record of 9-1-1-2 this season when leading after two periods ... Penguins goaltender Andy Chiodo has the eighth best goals against average in the league (2.01) ... Wilkes-Barre forward Michel Ouellet leads all rookies and is tied for fourth in the AHL with 19 goals ... Penguins defenseman Ross Lupaschuk is tied for third among defensemen with a rating of +12

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, February 11 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

Toronto Roadrunners at Syracuse Crunch

Friday, January 16 - Onondaga War Memorial - 7:30 p.m.

This is the third meeting of the season between these teams, with each club winning on their home ice (2-1 win for the Roadrunners on December 5, 3-2 win for the Crunch on December 6) ... Jani Rita has led the Roadrunners offensive attack against the Crunch with one goal and one assist in two games ... Syracuse has the four best power play unit in the league, operating at 16.7% (30 goals in 180 opportunities) ... the Crunch are 5-0-2-0 on home ice when leading after two periods ... Syracuse forward Brandon Sudgen leads all AHL rookies in penalty minutes with 118 PIM in 27 games played ... forward Donald MacLean leads the Crunch in scoring with 12g-18a-30pts in 35 games this season

NEXT MEETING: Thursday, January 29 at Toronto

Toronto Roadrunners at Rochester Americans

Saturday, January 17 - Blue Cross Arena - 7:35 p.m.

The Roadrunners look for their first victory over the Rochester Americans as the teams meet for the seventh time this season ... Sean McAslan (two goals, one assist in four games) and Peter Sarno (three assists in five games) have led the way offensively for the Roadrunners against the Amerks ... Jason Botterill has led the Americans offensive attack against the Roadrunners with 2g-5a-7pts in three games ... Rochester is 13-1-2-1 when leading after two periods this season ... Rochester has the sixth best power play unit (16.3% - 33 goals in 203 opportunities) and eighth best penalty killing unit in the league (87.5% - 23 goals against in 184 short handed situations) ... Amerks forward Milan Bartovic is currently on a seven game point streak (eight points)

NEXT MEETING: Sunday, January 25 at Toronto

Roadrunners' Schedule This Week

Wed. Jan. 14 Toronto Roadrunners at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins - Wachovia Arena - 7:05 p.m.

Fri. Jan. 16 Toronto Roadrunners at Syracuse Crunch - Onondaga County War Memorial - 7:30 p.m.

Sat. Jan. 17 Toronto Roadrunners at Rochester Americans - Blue Cross Arena - 7:35 p.m.

Roadrunners Next Home Game

The Toronto Roadrunners next home game will take place on Sunday, January 25, when they host the Rochester Americans at 5:00 p.m.

Last Week's Results

Date Opponent Score GWG Roadrunners/Opponent Goaltending ATT.

Jan 9 at St. John's L 3-4 Valiquette (4GA, 22 SV)/Minard (3GA, 31 SV) 4,601

Jan 10 at St. John's T 4-4 Valiquette (4GA, 32 SV)/Minard (4GA, 25 SV) 6,247

Roadrunners Tickets

Fans can purchase tickets for Roadrunners home games at the Ricoh Coliseum Box Office, at all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling Ticketmaster at (416) 872-5000 or on the Internet by visiting www.torontoroadrunners.ca. For group or season tickets, please call the Roadrunners' office at (416) 263-3900.



American Hockey League Stories from January 19, 2004


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