[truebluefan]

Pushkarev Called-Up; Weaver Loaned To Manchester

MANCHESTER, NH - The Los Angeles Kings, the parent club of the Manchester Monarchs, have recalled right wing Konstantin Pushkarev from the Monarchs; have placed left wing Scott Thornton (wrist) on the injured reserve list (retroactive to December 29); and have loaned defenseman Mike Weaver on a conditioning assignment to Manchester, Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi announced today.

Pushkarev, 21, has 15 points (4-11=15) and 23 penalty minutes in 29 games with the Monarchs this season. The 6-foot, 180-pound native of Ust-Kamenogorst, Kazakhstan, has not appeared in a game with the Kings this season. Originally selected by the Kings in the second-round (44th overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Pushkarev has one point (0-1=1) and zero penalty minutes in one career NHL game. He wears jersey number 9.

Thornton, who turns 36 on Tuesday, has nine points (5-4=9) and 60 penalty minutes in 38 games with the Kings this season. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound native of London, Ontario, was signed by the Kings as a free agent on July 1, 2006. He has appeared in 874 career regular season NHL games with the Kings, San Jose, Montreal, Dallas, Edmonton and Toronto, and has 273 points (137-136=273) and 1,395 penalty minutes.

Weaver, 28, has two points (both assists) and two penalty minutes in 12 games with the Kings this season. The 5-foot-9, 182-pound native of Bramalea, Ontario, has appeared in 122 career regular season NHL games with the Kings and Atlanta, and has 17 points (all assists) and 46 penalty minutes. Weaver played in 79 games with the Monarchs during the 2004-05 season and collected 23 points (1-22=23) and 61 penalty minutes.

The Monarchs start the New Year off with a game on Friday, January 5 against the Hartford Wolf Pack at the Hartford Civic Center at 7:00 p.m. Catch all of the play-by-play action of Monarchs hockey with Ken Cail on the Monarchs Radio Network WGIR-AM 610 and at -= Manchester Monarchs Hockey =- Home Page. Watch the game live on B2 Networks for just $6 per game. Log onto -= Manchester Monarchs Hockey =- Home Page and click on the link to B2 Networks ten minutes prior to each Monarchs game to watch the game live!

 

[truebluefan]

Rivermen Get by Houston 4-3 in a Shootout on the Road

Houston (January 4, 2007) - The Peoria Rivermen posted their first shootout win of the season in three chances this season, beating the Houston Aeros 4-3 in front of a Thursday-night crowd of 3,356 at the Toyota Center.

The Rivermen (20-12-1-2, 43 pts), who lost their previous two shootout opportunities by 3-2 scores against Albany on the road on October 18 and Chicago on the road on November 19, got shootout tallies from left wings Peter Sejna and Jon DiSalvatore, who scored in the second and third rounds, respectively. Rivermen rookie netminder Marek Schwarz, who was making his first start in four games, stopped all four Houston chances he faced. It was just the seventh Rivermen game decided beyond regulation this season.

Houston (15-17-0-4, 34 pts), who dropped to 4-4 in shootouts this season, opened the scoring at 10:10 of the first stanza on left wing Danny Irmen's 10th marker of the season. Center Bryan Lundbohm grabbed his own rebound in the left-wing corner of the Peoria zone and fed defenseman Ryan Stokes at the left point, where Stokes sent a shot on net that Irmen tipped through the legs of Schwarz.

The lead was short-lived as the Rivermen struck for their first tally just 32 seconds later. Left wing D.J. King took a pass from center Gavin Morgan along the end boards near the left-wing corner. King then motored his way to the front of the Houston goal, where he slipped a backhand, wrap-around chance inside the right post for his third goal of the season.

Lundbohm had a shorthanded breakaway two minutes later after intercepting a Trent Whitfield pass, but Schwarz was up to the task as he moved from his left to his right to shut down the scoring opportunity on the doorstep.

Peoria grabbed its first lead of the night with just its second shorthanded tally of the season at 15:18 of the middle stanza. Sejna stole the puck from Aeros right-wing Mattias Weinhandl near the center point and was off to the races on a two-on-one break with rookie center Michal Birner. Sejna held the puck as he skated into the zone, got to the right face-off dot and centered to Birner at the left side of the slot for a one-time snap shot pass Kopriva before he could get across the goal mouth to the left post. It was Birner's fourth goal of the season.

Houston tied the game 2-2 with just 42 seconds left in the second. Just seven seconds after getting out of the penalty box for a hooking minor, defenseman Peter Ratchuk was sprung on a breakaway by Irmen, maneuvering in on Schwarz and roofing his fifth marker of the season into the upper left corner.

The Rivermen took their second lead of the game with 9:06 left in regulation. Right wing Mike Glumac broke into the Houston zone on left wing. As he got to the top of the face-off circle, he faked as if he was going to drive the net, while center Ryan Ramsay did just that. In the mean time, Glumac dropped the puck off at the top of the circle for left wing Charles Linglet, who rocketed his team-leading 18th of the season through the legs of Kopriva.

The Aeros tied it 3-3 just 1:20 later on the power play. Left wing Roman Voloshenko converted his sixth tally of the season from in close just off the left post during a goal-mouth scramble.

The Rivermen continue their four-game road trip in San Antonio on Saturday, January 6 at 7:05 p.m. at the AT&T Center.

 

[truebluefan]

Houston battles back for point

HOUSTON, Texas - Marek Schwarz made 35 saves and was perfect on four shootout attempts, as the Peoria Rivermen outlasted the Houston Aeros 4-3 at Toyota Center. Michal Birner, D.J. King and Charles Linglet scored in regulation, and Peter Sejna and Jon DiSalvatore netted shootout goals for Peoria (20-12-1-2), which has won four in a row and is two points behind second-place Omaha in the West Division.

Danny Irmen posted a goal and an assist, Peter Ratchuk and Roman Voloshenko also scored and Miroslav Kopriva made 28 saves for Houston (15-17-0-4), which picked up a point to get within four points of fifth-place Milwaukee and five of fourth-place Iowa.

The Aeros play host to Syracuse on Saturday at 7:35 p.m. It's Curtis Murphy Bobblehead Night. It's not too late to get book a group for this game - call 713.974.PUCK for discounted group tickets.

Kopriva was stellar 1:45 into the game. Cam Keith streaked up the left wing and hit a cutting Gavin Morgan in the low slot. Kopriva went down and just got enough of Morgan's attempt to push it over the crossbar.

Irmen scored his 10th goal - and second in as many nights - at the 10:10 mark of the first to put Houston on top. Bryan Lundbohm carried the puck into the zone from the right side and banged the puck off the outside of the net. Lundbohm got the rebound in the left corner and fed Stokes at the point. Ryan Stokes fired on net, and Irmen tipped the puck under Schwarz.

It took Peoria just 32 seconds to answer, with King's third of the season. King took a feed from Morgan, stickhandled through traffic behind the net and slid the puck between Kopriva's right skate and the post, evening the score at 1-1.

Lundbohm had a shorthanded breakaway two minutes later after intercepting a Trent Whitfield pass, but Schwarz was up to the task.

Birner scored shorthanded to give Peoria its first lead with 4:42 left in the first. Sejna picked Mattias Weinhandl's pocket in the Rivermen zone and raced up ice 2-on-1 with Birner. Sejna hit Birner cutting down the left side, and Birner redirected the puck past Kopriva for his fourth goal of the seasons.

Aeros' leading scorer Matt Foy hit the post with a blind backhander as time wound down in the first.

The Aeros controlled much of the second period, but didn't find the scoresheet until there were 42 seconds left in the frame. After Kopriva made an outstanding save and Stokes blocked a Mike Glumac attempt from point blank range, Irmen collected a rebound deep in the Houston zone. He headmanned a pass to Ratchuk, breaking out of the penalty box. Ratchuk collected the bouncing puck, went in on Schwarz and scored high glove side for his fifth goal of the season.

Peoria defenseman Roman Polak let loose on the power play early in the third, but Kopriva made a nice glove save. Shortly thereafter, Kopriva kicked out DiSalvatore's blast from low in the right circle.

Linglet took over sole possession of the Rivermen team scoring lead with 18th goal of the season with 9:06 remaining. Glumac raced out of the Peoria zone after collecting a rebound, and slid a 3-on-2 pass from the left wing to a cutting Linglet, who poked the puck under Kopriva.

The Aeros got the equalizer from Voloshenko with 7:45 left in regulation, after Tomas Mojzis went after Foy for getting too close to Schwarz. On the ensuing power play, Voloshenko popped the puck short side on a pass from Olvecky, Voloshenko's sixth goal of the season.

Polak ripped a point shot off the left post with 5:31 remaining.

Kopriva saved the game for the Aeros with a stick save short side on Morgan a minute later.

Olvecky picked up a holding call with 1:47 left, giving Peoria a chance to win it in regulation. Kopriva snagged Jeff Woywitka's left point drive with 49 seconds remaining.

In overtime, Kopriva made a good stick save on former Hobey Baker winner Sejna, who broke around Stokes and in 1-on-1.

Ratchuk made maybe the play of the night with 3:20 left. Houston's Clayton Stoner fanned on a shot from the right circle, resulting in a 2-on-1 the other way. But a diving Ratchuk broke up the pass in front of Kopriva.

Kopriva made a point blank stop on Whitfield - Peoria's leading scorer - with 28 ticks left.

Aeros head coach Rob Daum elected to have Peoria go first in the shootout. Glumac led off, hesitated and Kopriva got a piece of the shot with his glove. Weinhandl carved open Schwarz but slid a shot just wide.

Sejna went low blocker side to score on Kopriva in round two, and Voloshenko tried to go five-hole but was denied.

In round three, DiSalvatore scored low on Kopriva, and Schwarz stopped Foy.

Kopriva denied Linglet with the glove, and Morgan couldn't solve Schwarz.

Houston fell to 4-4 in shootouts this season. The Aeros are the only AHL team to not have a goal decided in overtime. Peoria is 1-2 in shootouts.

Houston finished 1-for-6 on the power play, while Peoria went 0-for-7. The Rivermen, who entered the game tied for fourth in the AHL on the power play at 21.2 percent, are 1-for-19 with the man advantage versus Houston this season.

Notes:

Not dressing for the Aeros were Dieter Kochan, Josh Harding, Shawn Belle, Josh Olson, Ben Thomson and Joey Tetarenko.

The Aeros have been outscored 9-2 in the first period of their last five games.

Voloshenko has five points (3-2=5) in a five-game point streak, his longest since a seven-game run November 30-December 17, 2005 - just before he left for the World Junior Championships. In his last seven games, Voloshenko has eight points (4-4=8).

The Aeros are 5-0-0-1 when Stokes has a point. He pushed his point total to a career-best seven (2-5=7). He had five (2-3=5) in 75 games last season.

The Aeros are 14-6-0-3 when scoring three or more goals. They are 1-11-0-1 when scoring two or fewer.

Murphy picked up an assist, his ninth point (2-7=9) in as many games.

Houston is 8-4-0-3 when scoring first.

 

[truebluefan]

Rampage Crunch Syracuse in Shootout

SAN ANTONIO - Rookie goaltender Josh Tordjman backstopped all five Syracuse shootout attempts and Tyler Redenbach scored the lone shootout goal to lift the San Antonio Rampage to a 3-2 win Thursday night at the AT&T Center.

The win, the Rampage's third straight, ties their season-high set back from Oct. 28-Nov. 4.

The Rampage met their match posting almost identical numbers with Syracuse entering the game as each team had scored 97 times and respectively the same special team percentages.

After a scoreless first period and five shots on goal to the Crunch's eight, Syracuse forward Adam Pineault put the first dent in the scoreboard five minutes into the second stanza with an assist from Jeffrey Szwez.

With 1:08 left in the period, Redenbach scored his first point of the night feeding a last-minute pass to Rampage leading scorer Yanick Lehoux for his 16th goal of the season.

Philippe Dupuis would help Syracuse regain the lead just over the halfway-mark of the final period. Tordjman moved right anticipating a shot from Dupuis but Dupuis backhanded the puck to his left, inside the right post, catching Tordjman off step. Dupuis' second goal of the season was the only power-play goal of the night for the Crunch.

Three minutes after the Crunch had regained the lead, Bryan Helmer passed the puck to Jeff Taffe along the blue line, who was ready for a one-timer that circled behind the net and found Redenbach at the left post for the game-tying goal.

Tordjman's effort gives him a 7-6-0 record for the season and has only allowed two goals in 13 shootout attempts for an 85-percent success rate-best among active AHL netminders with three or more shootout appearances.

The Rampage (13-20-1-1) host the Peoria Rivermen at the AT&T Center Saturday night at 7 p.m.

 

[truebluefan]

Admirals Fall to Knights

Milwaukee, WI-Entering the game with only five wins in their eighteen contests against division rivals this season, the Milwaukee Admirals could very well add "improve record against division rivals" to their list of New Year's resolutions. Opening the New Year against the division rival Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights, the Admirals came up a goal short of starting the year off right, with 4-3 loss to the Knights at the Bradley Center.

Watching the first twenty minutes of play, you wouldn't have predicted the Ads to finish the game without a win. The group game out strong, showing grit, finesse, and creating chances that eventually led to two first period goals.

Four minutes into the opening session, Admiral's tough guy, Kelsey Wilson, scored off a neat pass by Brandon Segal from behind the Knight's net. Nearing the end of the period, Ads' top scorer Rich Peverley danced around Omaha defenders and sent a rocket into the net for a top-shelf goal, his fifteenth of the season, at 18:41 of the first.

The game was hard nosed and tensions were high from the opening face-off. Twenty-four minutes of penalties were doled out in the first frame which included a fighting major to Peverley, an uncommon infraction for the second-year player.

"Both teams are in the same division competing," explained Coach Claude Noel regarding all of the rough stuff in the first.

"This isn't a grass skirt dance. We are competitive. There's body contact. There's emotion. There's an intradivision game we want to win."

Omaha stepped onto the ice for the second period down 2-0. But as the period progressed, they turned Admirals' mistakes into solid chances and found a way to even the score before the period closed.

"They carried the play for about 12 minutes in the second. Those twelve minutes were poor. We didn't play intelligent. We got what we deserved. We didn't deserve any better than that. We made mistakes that hurt us. Basically, they countered and beat us."

Justin Taylor and Eric Godard were responsible for the Knight's production in the second. Godard finished the night with two goals and two assists, doubling his point total for the season, having a hand in each of his team's goals.

Despite only getting four shots off in the third period, the Knights were able to score two goals, with both of them coming in the first five minutes. The Admirals out-shot the Knights 12-4 in the stanza and 29-19 in the game, but couldn't find a way to make up for their early third period mistakes, including mental miscues that Noel feels have been plaguing his team as of late.

"[As a coach] you can't do a lot [about mental mistakes]. You have to put the responsibility on the players. This is a part of growing. Losing and being disappointed in your performance makes you realize you have to be stronger, because it is about mental toughness. You can't play in the playoffs unless you have mental toughness."

Scoring on their first two shots in the third, Omaha's David Van Der Gulik snuck past Sheldon Brookbank and got open for the go-ahead-goal at 3:01 while Godard sent a shot over Karl Goerhing's shoulder from the top of the slot at 4:40 of the third.

With only a goal from Jason Guerriero and two failed powerplay chances in the third, the Admirals found themselves a goal shy of playing in an extra session and were left with their first loss of 2007.

"Back to work," said Noel as he walked back into the locker room after a post-game interview.

The Admirals will get "back to work" when they take on rival and division leading Chicago on Saturday at 7:30. In four meetings, both teams have been able to get five points from the other. The first 3,500 fans will receive a winter hat courtesy of WM/Recycle America. For tickets fans can call Ticketmaster at (414) 276-4545 or log on to Official Ticketmaster site. Tickets for Concerts, Sports, Arts, Theater, Family, Events, more.

 

[truebluefan]

Oilers recall Mathieu Roy

EDMONTON, AB - The Edmonton Oilers announced today that the club has recalled defenceman Mathieu Roy for the second time this season from the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey league.

Roy, 23, was previously recalled by Edmonton on December 13th and did not see any playing time before being sent back to Hamilton on December 26th. The native of St-Georges, Quebec, has appeared in 31 games with the Bulldogs this season, registering 18 points (6-12-18) and 40 penalty minutes with an AHL fourth-best and team-leading plus-17 rating.

Roy played in his first and only NHL game with the Oilers on February 12th, 2006 versus the St. Louis Blues and was held scoreless. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound blueliner was drafted by Edmonton in the 7th round, 215th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

In operation since 1936, the American Hockey League is the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. Over 80 percent of NHL players are AHL graduates, and more than 350 AHL players were recalled to the NHL during the 2005-2006 season alone.

The Bulldogs return to action at 7:30 p.m. tonight (Friday, January 5th) when they take on the Iowa Stars at Copps Coliseum. Tickets for all 'Dogs home games (except home game #32) are available at the Copps Coliseum Box Office, any Ticketmaster outlet, online at Official Ticketmaster site. Tickets for Concerts, Sports, Arts, Theater, Family, Events, more, or through charge-by-phone at 905-527-7666. Fans can listen to the game on the flagship station of the Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Network, 820 CHAM "The Legend," beginning with the Park's Furniture Pre-Game Show at 7:10 p.m. Fans can also listen or watch at Hamilton Bulldogs by clicking on the 'B2 Networks' or '820 CHAM' icon on the 'Dogs website

 

[truebluefan]

Bears look to split series Friday in Norfolk

Following a narrow 5-4 setback Wednesday night in Hampton Roads, the BEARS return to action Friday in the second game of a two-game series in Virginia. The game is also the seventh of ten meetings between the two clubs in 2006-07. Tonight's game is also the second of a current five game road trip for the Chocolate and White, the club's longest of the season.

Despite Wednesday's loss, HERSHEY begins the day in Norfolk still atop the East Division standings. The club also has the most points in the American Hockey League with 57. The BEARS hold a four-point lead over second place Norfolk, and a five-point advantage over third place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The Penguins host Grand Rapids tonight at Wachovia Arena before welcoming the BEARS to northeast PA for a 7:05 p.m. game on Saturday. Norfolk and Chicago are tied for second in the AHL with 53 points. Tonight's game is HERSHEY'S 20th road game of the season, the halfway point for games away from home in 2006-07.

The BEARS announced Friday that the club has recalled defenseman Marc Busenburg from South Carolina (ECHL). Busenburg arrived in Norfolk Friday morning, and is expected to play against the Admirals. Trevor Byrne is listed as day-to-day with a lower body injury. Dean Arsene, who missed Wednesday's game due to injury, is expected to rejoin the lineup Friday.

BEARS head coach Bruce Boudreau was injured Thursday afternoon during the team's practice at Norfolk Scope. Boudreau suffered what is believed to be a separated and dislocated shoulder when he was submarined by a BEARS player that slipped and fell during a drill. Boudreau will be in the dressing room but not on the bench this evening when the BEARS play the Admirals.

Tonight's game can be heard via the BEARS Radio Network (100.1 FM, 1490-AM, 960-AM) beginning at 6:55 p.m. Friday. John Walton has the call of the action from Norfolk Scope. The BEARS will play at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Saturday in the third game of the current five-game trip, before traveling to Binghamton and Bridgeport next weekend. HERSHEY will finally return home Sunday, January 14 against the Albany River Rats at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the GIANT Center box office, or by calling (717)508-BEAR.

 

[truebluefan]

Brandon Bochenski Recalled by Blackhawks

CHICAGO, Illinois - Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that Chicago has recalled Admirals' leading scorer Brandon Bochenski from Norfolk.

Bochenski, 24, is a 6'0", 193 lb. right wing from Blaine, Minnesota. He has tallied one goal and two penalty minutes during eight games with the Blackhawks this season.

Bochenski leads the Admirals in goals and points. In 29 games with Norfolk, he has 28 goals and 26 assists for 54 points and 21 penalty minutes. He ranks second in the AHL in goals and third in points.

Bochenski set a new franchise record scoring streak with points in 14 games (12g, 19a) from November 12 to December 29. He also tied an AHL record by scoring hat tricks in back-to-back games last Saturday in Hershey and last Wednesday at Scope against Hershey. He has three hat tricks this season, another Admirals' record, including a record four-goal game versus the Philadelphia Phantoms on November 25.

Bochenski signed a one-year deal with Chicago on August 1. He was originally acquired by the Blackhawks from the Ottawa Senators along with a 2006 second round draft pick for Tyler Arnason on March 9, 2006. Following the trade, Bochenski appeared in 20 games for the Blackhawks, tallying two goals and two assists for four points and eight penalty minutes. He then appeared in three Calder Cup Playoff games for the Admirals, registering one goal and one assist for two points and no penalty minutes.

In 48 career NHL games, Bochenski has nine goals and nine assists for 18 points and 24 penalty minutes. He was originally drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the seventh round (223rd) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

The Admirals hit the ice at Scope tonight for an East Division showdown against the division-leading Hershey Bears at 7:15. The first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive an Admirals tee shirt courtesy of Liberty Tax Service. Norfolk then faces off against the Lowell Devils on Saturday night at 7:15, with the first 2,500 fans receiving an Admirals team poster courtesy of Tropical Smoothie Café.

Individual game tickets for all Admirals regular season games range from $11-$16 and are on sale at all TicketMaster outlets, charge-by-phone at (757) 671-8100 or at ticketmaster.com. Season tickets, ten-packs and group tickets remain on sale through the Admirals' office and through the Admirals' website. For more information, contact the Admirals at (757) 640-1212 or visit them online at norfolkadmirals.com.