Saturday Is Another Original Six Night
April 1, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Cleveland Barons News Release
When the Barons host the St. John's Maple Leafs on Saturday, April 2nd at 7pm on the National City Rink located in Gund Arena, fans will be encouraged to pay homage to the NHL.
In fact, fans can purchase $21-lower bowl tickets for just $5. To redeem the offer, fans must wear an article of NHL apparel to the game and present the coupon available at http://www.clevelandbarons.net/tickets/specials/nhl_originalsix.htm. Fans must purchase the tickets, while supplies last, at the Gund Arena Box Office on the day of game only.
The Barons need a victory against St. John's to keep pace in the tight North Division. They currently trail the Hamilton Bulldogs by six points in the division standings. On the season thus far, the Barons are 3-3-0-1 against St. John's. It will mark the Maple Leaf's final trip to Cleveland as they will relocate to Toronto next season.
THURSDAY IN THE AHL
Only one game took place in the American Hockey League on Thursday night and it had implications in the North Division. Edmonton, who leads the Barons by two points in the standings, fell in a tight game to Chicago, 3-2.
With the win, the Chicago Wolves became the first team in the West Division to clinch a spot in the playoffs. They were powered to victory by defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, who scored the game-winner 8:32 into the third period.
Bouwmeester was added on March 8th, as he and teammate Stephen Weiss were loaned to the Wolves by the San Antonio Rampage. The move has paid immediate dividends as the Wolves are 9-2-0-0 since making the acquisitions.
It marks the second time this season that Bouwmeester bit the Road Runners in the third period with Chicago. In just his fifth game with Chicago, Bouwmeester scored a goal with 22 seconds left to send the game to overtime. The Wolves eventually won the game in a shootout, 3-2.
In his 11 games with Chicago, Bouwmeester has six goals and two assists (6-2-8) with a +5 plus/minus rating. Weiss has also made a huge impact registering four goals and seven assists (4-7-11) in his 11 games with the team. Weiss was the fourth overall pick in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft and Bouwmeester was the third overall pick in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.
BUY YOUR ACTION PHOTOS NOW
Great action photos of your favorite Cleveland Barons are available on-line at www.clevelandbarons.net. Simply click on the Action Photos link to view all of the shots from the 2004-05 season.
FEELING REMINISCENT
A fan favorite for three seasons in Cleveland was left wing Lynn Loyns. Loyns is now a member of the Lowell Lock Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames.
While in Cleveland, Loyns' favorite opponent was the Rochester Americans, who the Barons will play tonight in New York at 7:35pm. He always referred to them as a hard-nosed, physical team that made you bring your A-game every time you took the ice against them.
The Americans are proving that again in 2004-05 as they lead the league with their 106 points. The Americans became the first team in the AHL to clinch a playoff spot. They are led by blue-chip goaltending prospect Ryan Miller, who boasts a 38-14-4 record with a 2.29 goals against average and a .926 save percentage. His eight shutouts on the season are tied for the AHL lead as well.
By the way, Lynn Loyns has six goals and six assists in 66 games with Lowell this season. The Lock Monsters currently sit in third place in the Atlantic Division and are likely to be a playoff team.
OLSON BACK IN THE FOLD
Glenn Olson was recalled by the Barons on Thursday due to the injury suffered by Mike Hoffman. The extent of Hoffman's injury is not known at this time.
Hoffman was playing his best hockey of the season as he was named the Barons Rookie of the Month for March. On the month, Hoffman appeared in 13 games and registered one goal and three assists. The goal against St. John's on March 16th was the first of his AHL career. On that night, he also registered his first multi-point game of his AHL career by adding an assist. On the month, Hoffman registered a calendar-month high 34 penalty minutes and 18 shots. Also, his goal, assist and point outputs were highs for the rookie.
Olson was recalled by the Barons from Fresno Falcons of the ECHL. In 10 games, the enforcer earned 105 penalty minutes with the Falcons. He also registered an assist in his time with Fresno. Olson did appear in one game with the Barons, engaging in a fight with Nathan Perrott during his first shift as a professional.
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American Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2005
- Utah claws past Griffins in shootout, 2-1 - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Toivonen Holds Off Monarchs; B's Win In A Shootout - Manchester Monarchs
- Falcons Fall in Overtime to Wolf Pack - Springfield Falcons
- Utah Grizzlies defeat Grand Rapids Griffins - Utah Grizzlies
- Lupul's three goals do trick over Rampage - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Sens hold first place with shootout win - Binghamton Senators
- Toivonen huge in shootout win - Providence Bruins
- Papineau Power Sound Tigers Past Norfolk 7-3 - Bridgeport Islanders
- Phantoms edge Hershey 4-3 - Adirondack Phantoms
- Lupul named National City Mighty Ducks Player of the Month - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Lehtonen Named Goalie of the Month for the Second Time This Season - Chicago Wolves
- Pirates Statement on Civic Center Lease Negotiations - Portland Pirates
- Rampage Game Day - San Antonio Rampage
- Bieksa named AHL Rookie of the Month for March - Manitoba Moose
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
- Amerks' game sold out - Rochester Americans
- Saturday Is Another Original Six Night - Cleveland Barons
- Phantoms' Little wins CCM AHL Milestone of the Month award - AHL
- Wolves' Lehtonen named Koho AHL Goaltender of the Month - AHL
- Moose's Bieksa named Reebok AHL Rookie of the Month - AHL
- Providence Bruins sign Andrew Alberts - Providence Bruins
- Lock Monsters assign Matt Hendricks - Albany Devils
- Maple Leafs' road game April 3 moved to Buffalo - Toronto Marlies
- Bears look to keep hope alive tonight in Philadelphia - Hershey Bears
- Grizzlies Sign Boston College Star David Spina - Utah Grizzlies
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