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Knights open season with three of four points
Omaha, NE - If the first weekend of the regular season is any indication, the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights can expect a healthy contribution from their first year players. The Knights lost to Peoria in overtime and beat Milwaukee to earn three of a possible four points in the West Division standings. Along the way, five players scored their first professional goals; four of those players were rookies. The Knights play the final two games of their season-opening four-game road trip when they visit the Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday night and the Chicago Wolves on Sunday afternoon. The Knights begin the week in second place in the division with a record of 1-0-1-0. Tickets are now on sale for the Knights' home opening weekend and all home games at the Omaha Civic Auditorium box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets can be purchased by phone at (402) 422-1212. The Knights begin the home half of their schedule on Friday, October 20th when they host the Syracuse Crunch at 7:00 p.m.
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:
Friday, October 6: Peoria Rivermen 4, Ak-Sar-Ben Knights 3 OT
Dave Moss scored the Knights' first goal of the season at 9:08 of the first period. Jon DiSalvatore replied for Peoria just 1:07 later, but Moss answered back on the powerplay later in the period to put the Knights up 2-1 after one. The game remained tied until the third when Peoria scored goals 62 seconds apart to take the 3-2 lead. Defenseman Brad Ference answered back for the Knights to send the game to overtime. DiSalvatore would tally again during a powerplay in the last ten seconds of the OT for the winner. Brent Krahn made 22 saves in the loss.
Saturday, October 7: Ak-Sar-Ben Knights 7, Milwaukee Admirals 1
The Knights raced out to a 3-0 first period lead and were never threatened. It was a period of firsts as Andrei Taratukhin (shorthanded), Dustin Boyd (powerplay) and Brett Palin all scored their first professional goals. Ryan Donally scored his first as a pro in his first pro game early in the second, and defenseman Richie Regehr scored on the powerplay to make it 5-0 after two. David Van der Gulik got his first pro goal early in the third and Dave Moss followed with his team-leading third of the year at 12:14. Alexander Radulov ruined Curtis McElhinney's shutout bid with a powerplay goal at 13:21. Still, McElhinney had 26 saves to help the Knights earn their first win.
CCM VECTOR/AHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINATION:
The Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights nominated right wing Dave Moss as the CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week for the week ending October 8, 2006. In two games last week, Moss had three goals and two assists for the Knights in a win and an overtime loss.
On Friday, Moss had the first two goals of the season for the Knights in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Peoria Rivermen. The next night he had a goal and two assists in a 7-1 win at Milwaukee. The native of Livonia, MI leads the Ak-Sar-Ben Knights in goals (3) and is tied for the lead in points (5) after the opening weekend.
THE WEEK AHEAD:
DAY/DATE EVENT TIME* BROADCAST
Monday, October 9 Practice @ OCA 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 10 Practice @ OCA 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 11 Practice @ OCA 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Thursday, October 12 Practice @ OCA 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Friday, October 13 Travel Day
Saturday, October 14 Morning Skate @ VAA 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Game @ Grand Rapids# 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 15 Game @ Chicago# 5:00 p.m.
OCA - Omaha Civic Auditorium VAA - Van Andel Arena * - Times subject to change
# - BROADCAST--All games broadcast on 1420 AM, KOTK. A free live audio broadcast of game is available at omahaaksarbenknights.com (Choose "Listen Live" link). B2 Networks also offers a live, pay-per-view webcast, available at omahaaksarbenknights.com for $6 per game by clicking on B2 Networks link.
AK-SAR-BEN KNIGHTS BASICS
RECORD: 1-0-1-0 POWERPLAY: 3/16, 18.8% VS. DIV.: 1-0-1-0
HOME: 0-0-0-0 PENALTY KILL: 14/16, 87.5%
ROAD: 1-0-1-0 LAST TEN: 1-0-1-0 STREAK: 1-0-0-0
OPPONENTS THIS WEEK:
Sat., October 14 @ Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings/Edmonton Oilers), 6:00 p.m. CT
First of four meetings; first of two meetings in Grand Rapids, MI
They were the best team in the AHL during the 2005-06 regular season, and the Grand Rapids Griffins supply the opposition for the Ak-Sar-Ben Knights to open the weekend. Last year, the Griffins finished first overall in the AHL with a record of 55-20-1-4, good for 115 points. The Knights were 0-3-0-1 against the Detroit Red Wings' top prospects in 2005-06. Like the Ak-Sar-Ben Knights, Grand Rapids is off to a 1-0-1-0 start after a 5-4 overtime loss to San Antonio and a 3-1 win at Houston last weekend. Brendan Brooks and Krystopher Kolanos lead the Griffins in scoring through the first weekend. Both players have three points, Brooks on a team-high two goals and one assist. The Griffins visit Toronto on Friday before hosting their home opener against the Knights.
Sun., October 15 @ Chicago Wolves (Atlanta Thrashers), 5:00 p.m.
First of ten meetings; first of five meetings in Chicago, IL
The Knights renew acquaintances with the Wolves on Sunday afternoon. Last season, the Knights and Wolves each finished the season with 84 points, but the Wolves assumed fifth place in the West Division because of one more win. After skating in the Calder Cup Finals in 2005, the Wolves spent a rare spring out of the playoffs, finishing with a record of 36-32-4-8. Still, the Wolves figure to be right back in the thick of the playoff race this year after picking up talented forwards Darren Haydar, Jason Krog and Steve Martins. Haydar had two goals and Krog had a hat trick in the Wolves' 5-0 win over Peoria last Saturday. Michael Garnett had 28 saves in the win. Chicago plays a home-and-home series with Milwaukee on Friday and Saturday before hosting the Knights.
KNIGHTS NOTES:
The six-goal margin of victory on Saturday in Milwaukee was the largest in Ak-Sar-Ben Knights' history.
The seven goals scored by the Knights in Milwaukee matches a franchise record for most goals scored in a game.
The Knights played four games against Grand Rapids last year and in spite of facing a team that scored a league-high 323 goals, three of the four games were decided by one goal. The other was a two-goal loss.
The Knights won four of their first five games against the Wolves in 2005-06 but lost four of the last five to finish with a record of 5-5-0-0 head-to-head. They were 2-3-0-0 in Chicago.
TRANSACTIONS:
10/3/06 ADD Eric Godard (RW), assigned on loan from Calgary (NHL)
10/3/06 ADD Brad Ference (D), assigned on loan from Calgary (NHL)
10/4/06 DELETE Aki Seitsonen (C), loaned to Las Vegas (ECHL)
10/4/06 DELETE Adam Cracknell (LW), loaned to Las Vegas (ECHL)
10/4/06 DELETE Chris Neiszner (C), loaned to Las Vegas (ECHL)
IN THE COMMUNITY:
Chamber of Commerce Rush Hour Connections, Wednesday, October 11: The Ak-Sar-Ben Knights, a member of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, will host the Chamber's Rush Hour Connections beginning at 4:00 p.m. The Knights have scheduled practice to begin at 3:45 p.m., and Chamber members are invited to watch practice and meet players afterward.
Alegent Fitness Program, Thursday, October 12: Knights' players and play-by-play voice Dave Ahlers will present the Alegent Fitness Program, a full school assembly, to students at the Blessed Sacrament School in Omaha at 2:30 p.m.
The Ak-Sar-Ben Knights' Speakers Bureau provides speakers to local businesses, civic and church groups and other interested organizations holding weekly or monthly meetings and special events. There is no charge for this program. For more information on the Speakers Bureau or to schedule an appearance for your group's next meeting, call Dave Ahlers at (402) 344-GOAL or contact him by e-mail at [email protected]
CALGARY FLAMES UPDATE:
The Calgary Flames, the Ak-Sar-Ben Knights' National Hockey League affiliate, split a pair of games with the Edmonton Oilers to begin the 2006-07 season. The first skirmish in the battle of Alberta went the Oilers way. They won 3-1 on October 5th in Edmonton. The Flames responded with a 2-1 win at the Pengrowth Saddledome two nights later. Stephane Yelle and Marcus Nilson had the Flames' goals. Former Ak-Sar-Ben Knight defenseman Mark Giordano finished the night with one shot and a plus 1 rating. The Flames host the San Jose Sharks on Monday and then begin a four-game road trip with stops in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Boston. The road trip begins Thursday, October 12th.
For more information on the Flames, visit calgaryflames.com.
Omaha, NE - If the first weekend of the regular season is any indication, the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights can expect a healthy contribution from their first year players. The Knights lost to Peoria in overtime and beat Milwaukee to earn three of a possible four points in the West Division standings. Along the way, five players scored their first professional goals; four of those players were rookies. The Knights play the final two games of their season-opening four-game road trip when they visit the Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday night and the Chicago Wolves on Sunday afternoon. The Knights begin the week in second place in the division with a record of 1-0-1-0. Tickets are now on sale for the Knights' home opening weekend and all home games at the Omaha Civic Auditorium box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets can be purchased by phone at (402) 422-1212. The Knights begin the home half of their schedule on Friday, October 20th when they host the Syracuse Crunch at 7:00 p.m.
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:
Friday, October 6: Peoria Rivermen 4, Ak-Sar-Ben Knights 3 OT
Dave Moss scored the Knights' first goal of the season at 9:08 of the first period. Jon DiSalvatore replied for Peoria just 1:07 later, but Moss answered back on the powerplay later in the period to put the Knights up 2-1 after one. The game remained tied until the third when Peoria scored goals 62 seconds apart to take the 3-2 lead. Defenseman Brad Ference answered back for the Knights to send the game to overtime. DiSalvatore would tally again during a powerplay in the last ten seconds of the OT for the winner. Brent Krahn made 22 saves in the loss.
Saturday, October 7: Ak-Sar-Ben Knights 7, Milwaukee Admirals 1
The Knights raced out to a 3-0 first period lead and were never threatened. It was a period of firsts as Andrei Taratukhin (shorthanded), Dustin Boyd (powerplay) and Brett Palin all scored their first professional goals. Ryan Donally scored his first as a pro in his first pro game early in the second, and defenseman Richie Regehr scored on the powerplay to make it 5-0 after two. David Van der Gulik got his first pro goal early in the third and Dave Moss followed with his team-leading third of the year at 12:14. Alexander Radulov ruined Curtis McElhinney's shutout bid with a powerplay goal at 13:21. Still, McElhinney had 26 saves to help the Knights earn their first win.
CCM VECTOR/AHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINATION:
The Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights nominated right wing Dave Moss as the CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week for the week ending October 8, 2006. In two games last week, Moss had three goals and two assists for the Knights in a win and an overtime loss.
On Friday, Moss had the first two goals of the season for the Knights in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Peoria Rivermen. The next night he had a goal and two assists in a 7-1 win at Milwaukee. The native of Livonia, MI leads the Ak-Sar-Ben Knights in goals (3) and is tied for the lead in points (5) after the opening weekend.
THE WEEK AHEAD:
DAY/DATE EVENT TIME* BROADCAST
Monday, October 9 Practice @ OCA 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 10 Practice @ OCA 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 11 Practice @ OCA 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Thursday, October 12 Practice @ OCA 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Friday, October 13 Travel Day
Saturday, October 14 Morning Skate @ VAA 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Game @ Grand Rapids# 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 15 Game @ Chicago# 5:00 p.m.
OCA - Omaha Civic Auditorium VAA - Van Andel Arena * - Times subject to change
# - BROADCAST--All games broadcast on 1420 AM, KOTK. A free live audio broadcast of game is available at omahaaksarbenknights.com (Choose "Listen Live" link). B2 Networks also offers a live, pay-per-view webcast, available at omahaaksarbenknights.com for $6 per game by clicking on B2 Networks link.
AK-SAR-BEN KNIGHTS BASICS
RECORD: 1-0-1-0 POWERPLAY: 3/16, 18.8% VS. DIV.: 1-0-1-0
HOME: 0-0-0-0 PENALTY KILL: 14/16, 87.5%
ROAD: 1-0-1-0 LAST TEN: 1-0-1-0 STREAK: 1-0-0-0
OPPONENTS THIS WEEK:
Sat., October 14 @ Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings/Edmonton Oilers), 6:00 p.m. CT
First of four meetings; first of two meetings in Grand Rapids, MI
They were the best team in the AHL during the 2005-06 regular season, and the Grand Rapids Griffins supply the opposition for the Ak-Sar-Ben Knights to open the weekend. Last year, the Griffins finished first overall in the AHL with a record of 55-20-1-4, good for 115 points. The Knights were 0-3-0-1 against the Detroit Red Wings' top prospects in 2005-06. Like the Ak-Sar-Ben Knights, Grand Rapids is off to a 1-0-1-0 start after a 5-4 overtime loss to San Antonio and a 3-1 win at Houston last weekend. Brendan Brooks and Krystopher Kolanos lead the Griffins in scoring through the first weekend. Both players have three points, Brooks on a team-high two goals and one assist. The Griffins visit Toronto on Friday before hosting their home opener against the Knights.
Sun., October 15 @ Chicago Wolves (Atlanta Thrashers), 5:00 p.m.
First of ten meetings; first of five meetings in Chicago, IL
The Knights renew acquaintances with the Wolves on Sunday afternoon. Last season, the Knights and Wolves each finished the season with 84 points, but the Wolves assumed fifth place in the West Division because of one more win. After skating in the Calder Cup Finals in 2005, the Wolves spent a rare spring out of the playoffs, finishing with a record of 36-32-4-8. Still, the Wolves figure to be right back in the thick of the playoff race this year after picking up talented forwards Darren Haydar, Jason Krog and Steve Martins. Haydar had two goals and Krog had a hat trick in the Wolves' 5-0 win over Peoria last Saturday. Michael Garnett had 28 saves in the win. Chicago plays a home-and-home series with Milwaukee on Friday and Saturday before hosting the Knights.
KNIGHTS NOTES:
The six-goal margin of victory on Saturday in Milwaukee was the largest in Ak-Sar-Ben Knights' history.
The seven goals scored by the Knights in Milwaukee matches a franchise record for most goals scored in a game.
The Knights played four games against Grand Rapids last year and in spite of facing a team that scored a league-high 323 goals, three of the four games were decided by one goal. The other was a two-goal loss.
The Knights won four of their first five games against the Wolves in 2005-06 but lost four of the last five to finish with a record of 5-5-0-0 head-to-head. They were 2-3-0-0 in Chicago.
TRANSACTIONS:
10/3/06 ADD Eric Godard (RW), assigned on loan from Calgary (NHL)
10/3/06 ADD Brad Ference (D), assigned on loan from Calgary (NHL)
10/4/06 DELETE Aki Seitsonen (C), loaned to Las Vegas (ECHL)
10/4/06 DELETE Adam Cracknell (LW), loaned to Las Vegas (ECHL)
10/4/06 DELETE Chris Neiszner (C), loaned to Las Vegas (ECHL)
IN THE COMMUNITY:
Chamber of Commerce Rush Hour Connections, Wednesday, October 11: The Ak-Sar-Ben Knights, a member of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, will host the Chamber's Rush Hour Connections beginning at 4:00 p.m. The Knights have scheduled practice to begin at 3:45 p.m., and Chamber members are invited to watch practice and meet players afterward.
Alegent Fitness Program, Thursday, October 12: Knights' players and play-by-play voice Dave Ahlers will present the Alegent Fitness Program, a full school assembly, to students at the Blessed Sacrament School in Omaha at 2:30 p.m.
The Ak-Sar-Ben Knights' Speakers Bureau provides speakers to local businesses, civic and church groups and other interested organizations holding weekly or monthly meetings and special events. There is no charge for this program. For more information on the Speakers Bureau or to schedule an appearance for your group's next meeting, call Dave Ahlers at (402) 344-GOAL or contact him by e-mail at [email protected]
CALGARY FLAMES UPDATE:
The Calgary Flames, the Ak-Sar-Ben Knights' National Hockey League affiliate, split a pair of games with the Edmonton Oilers to begin the 2006-07 season. The first skirmish in the battle of Alberta went the Oilers way. They won 3-1 on October 5th in Edmonton. The Flames responded with a 2-1 win at the Pengrowth Saddledome two nights later. Stephane Yelle and Marcus Nilson had the Flames' goals. Former Ak-Sar-Ben Knight defenseman Mark Giordano finished the night with one shot and a plus 1 rating. The Flames host the San Jose Sharks on Monday and then begin a four-game road trip with stops in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Boston. The road trip begins Thursday, October 12th.
For more information on the Flames, visit calgaryflames.com.
