Tallahassee Tiger Sharks Player Updates December 2001

Atlanta Thrashers defenseman Todd Reirden, left, celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers with Hnat Domenichelli in the first period Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2001, in Atlanta. (AP/Lesser)

Former Tallahassee Tiger Shark Ben Guite scored his third goal of the season late in the first, giving Bridgeport a 2-0 lead. He also set up goals for Dave Morisset midway through the second and combined with Ken Sutton to help Pat Leahy score with 23 seconds remaining in the match. Former Hampton Road's Adimiral's goaltender Stephen Valiquette produced a 29-save shutout to remain undefeated for the season and four other Bridgeport skaters finished with two points or more as the Sound Tigers blanked the Hartford Wolf Pack, 6-0. It was Valliquete's first AHL shutout.

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Atlanta Thrashers defensemen and former Tiger Shark Todd Reirden (28) is knocked to the ice by Dallas Stars defensemen Brad Lukowich (37) during the second period, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2001, at Philips Arena in Atlanta. The Stars won 4-1. (AP/Smith).

Donny Parsons

Alex Fomitchev turned aside 33 shots in regulation, did not face a shot in overtime and stopped all four Greenville attempts in the shootout to even his record at 4-4-2, and lift the visiting Columbus Cottonmouths past the Greenville Grrrowl, 5-4. Ole Kjenstad scored two of the Cottonmouths' four unanswered markers to draw his club even at 4-4; the first coming with under five minutes left in the middle frame and the second midway through the third to cap the rally. Darren McAusland and Mike Omicioli each contributed a goal and an assist as Columbus won for the fourth time in its last five games.

J.F. Houle registered a goal and two assists in a 6-3 loss for New Orleans, which was outshot, 37-32, and failed to extend its winning streak to four games.

David Whitworth had an assist for the Greensboro Generals who fell, 4-3 to the Roanoke Express in Overtime. Former Adirondack IceHawk netminder Frederic Henry, who made 29 saves in the game, failed to stop the second shot he faced in overtime to suffer his fourth straight loss.

Jim Baxter had two assists for the Mississippi Sea Wolves who overcame the Pensacola Ice Pilots 6-5 in Overtime. Evan Lindsay improved to 9-8-0 despite surrendering all five goals on 41 shots.

Benoit Dusablon had an assist for the Hartford Wolf Pack who overcame the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 4-2. Former Tiger shark Ben Guite, who is currently playing for the Sound Tigers was a -1 for the contest and registered no shots on goal.

A combination of fatigue and a lack of healthy bodies took its toll on the Gold Kings who lost in a shootout to division-leading Idaho 2-1 Saturday night at World Arena.

For 59 minutes, the Gold Kings looked like a team that was playing its seventh game in just 11 days. But former Shark Colin Chaulk's tip-in goal with 54 seconds left tied the game and sent it into a shootout. The Gold Kings had pulled former Stingrays goaltender Kirk Daubenspeck and Chaulk redirected a pass from Mike Garrow for the goal, his second in the past two nights.

Jason Cugnet was brilliant between the pipes for the Steelheads, and after he turned away former Tiger Shark R.J. Enga the Steelheads had their first win on World Arena ice of the season.

In a battle of the Tiger sharks Goalies, former Netminder Rob Laurie brought in 4-2 win for the El Paso Buzzards of the CHL, defeating Aren Miller in net for the Oklahoma City Blazers.

Laurie made 21 saves on 23 shots to improve his record to 4-2-0 while, Miller kicked out 31 of 35 shots, to fall to 11-4-2 on the season.

Former Shark Don Parsons scored the game-winning goal just 4:38 into the first period for the Memphis River Kings, who feasted on the Fort Worth Brahmas, 10 - 1. He had been thwarted on his shot attempt but then banked in a rebound off Brahma goaltender Kory Cooper. Nine different RiverKings scored, but Parsons led the way with two, giving him 24 goals for the season. That total is tops in the CHL.

Memphis left winger Don Parsons is leading the entire CHL in goals. Parsons has scored 20 goals in the RiverKings 24 games. He also has 13 assists for 33 points, ranking him seventh in the league's scoring race, but just three points out of the CHL lead.

Defenseman Jim Baxter, acquired by the Mississippi in a trade with Augusta that sent Jeff Bes to the Lynx, earned runner-up honors for ECHL Player of the Week in his first week with the Sea Wolves.

Baxter finished the week with with six points in four games, picking two goals and four helpers for the Sea Wolves as they went 2-2 in the stretch.

The blue-liner, who was a seventh-round selection of the Carolina Hurricanes in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, also earned team player of the week honors. New Orleans Center Adam Edinger earned the league's top honors.

Former Sharks netminder Evan Lindasy was nominated by the Sea Wolves as Goalie of the Week.

Former Tiger Sharks defenseman Todd Reirdon, now with the NHL Atltanta Thrashers, tries to move Boston Bruins' forward Martin Lapointe away from the crease during the first period in Boston, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2001. (AP/Klein)

Norfolk Admirals (AHL)-- Recalled right wing Oliver Morin from Roanoke of the East Coast Hockey League.

Former Shark's goalie Erasmo Saltarelli, now with the B.C. Icemen broke right ring finger in practice last week.

J.F. Houle scored the game winning goal for the New Orleans Brass, who downed the Mississippi Sea Wolves 4-3 on Sunday. Former Tigershark Jim Baxter assisted on Steffon Walby's game tying goal for the Sea Wolves. Evan Lindsay suffered the loss in net for Mississippi, stopping 31 shots on 34 attempts.

Olaf "Ole!"Kjenstad had a goal and an assist for Columbus who downed the Pee Dee Pride, 5-3. Mitch Fritz knotted the game winning goal on the power play for the Snakes.

Saturday, Baxter had a goal and two assists as the Sea Wolves downed the Jackson Bandits 4-3. Baxter opened the scoring on the power play at 9:15 of the first period for the Wolves. Baxter then assisted on Walby's second period goal and on Michael Ryder's game tying goal in the third. Evan Lindsay deflected 31 shots to raise his record to 8-6-0 with the Sea Wolves.

Dan Shermerhorn and Adam Copeland both scored for the Idaho Steelheads who advanced over the Fresno Falcons, 5-2. Copeland had the game winning goal from Matt Oates at 14:06 of the third.

Shermerhorn would also assist on Derrick Paget's goal at 19:50 of the third, to seal the win for the Steelies. Former Tiger Shark Blair Allison picked up the win in net, knocking 29 saves to pick up second star of the game.

Three Stars: 1st Star: Dan Shermerhorn -- 2nd Star: Blair Allison -- 3rd Star: Adam Copeland

Donnie Parson scored two goales as the Mephis River Kings downed the Odessa Jackalopes, 4-1.

Friday night, Wes Swinson scored for the Augusta Lynx, but it would not be enough as the Lynx fell to the Greensboro Generals, 4-3. Tiger Shark's wannabe David Whitworth had a goal and an assist on the night for the Generals.

Baxter's trade to the Wolves started paying off this weekend, as Baxter scored the game winning goal to lift Mississippi over the Pensacola Ice Pilots, 4-3. Evan Lindsay would make 39 stops on the night for the Sea Wolves win, improving his record to 7-6-0.

Donnie Parsons scored the loan goal on Friday night and Mark Richards surrendered 5 goals as the Austin Ice Bats defeated the Memphis River Kings, 5-1.

Rob Laurie surrendered three goals but the Buzzards offense took the night out as El Paso fell to the San Antonio Outlaws, 3-1.

Hats flew Friday night at the Bank of America Centre as the Idaho Steelheads walloped the Fresno Falcons 9-3.

The hats were for fan favorite Cal Ingraham, who finally gave Idaho its first hat trick of the season.

There was a bit of a brawl as well. Derek Paget hooked up with Fresno´s Barkley Sauter during the ensuing chaos. Paget hammered Sauter several times with the right cross, earning a hearty roar from the few fans left over from the crowd of 4,610.

The rout started early on a lucky goal -- something that´s been rare for the Steelheads this season, and rarer for Ingraham.

Garry Toor´s pass on a power play caromed off Ingraham´s leg and into the net at 3:14 of the first. Ingraham had to hop on one leg while he celebrated.

"I´ve been struggling," said Ingraham, who had just five goals in 17 games. "Sometimes those will get you going."

He made it 7-0 at 16:45 of the second after Dan Shermerhorn pushed a loose puck to Ingraham in the neutral zone. Ingraham skated in and shot over David Mitchell´s left shoulder.

His hat-trick goal came on another breakaway at 3:49 of the third and gave Idaho an 8-1 lead.

"He was due for a night like this," head coach John Olver said.

J. F. Houle had a goal and two assists as the New Orleans Brass edged the Mississippi Sea Wolves, 4-3.

Jim Baxter would record an assist for the Wolves on Walby's first period goal, but it would not be enough for the Wolves.

By KATE MAGANDY
THE SUN HERALD

Evan Lindsay

PENSACOLA - The Sea Wolves played like they were in the final game of the Kelly Cup finals, pulling out a 4-3 victory over the Pensacola Ice Pilots before a crowd of 3,725 Friday night.

The Sea Wolves (11-14) travel to Jackson for a game tonight against the Bandits at the Mississippi Memorial Coliseum. Pensacola fell to 18-9-1.

"I told them this week, we've got to get more desperation in our game," said Coach Bob Woods, whose mid-week trade of Jeff Bes for blue-liner Jim Baxter seems to have awakened his squad. "We have to take that extra step and get the goal in the net.

"The guys did a good job tonight of bouncing back after Pensacola got that goal in the third to go ahead. We've got that winning attitude now. A good game played and a loss is not working any more."

Ryan Lauzon opened the scoring at 8:33 in the first period with a goal off a rebound from a Travis Lisabeth shot, with Sergei Kuznetsov also picking up the helper. Pensacola answered at 10:22 on a shot by Rob Sinclair to send the game into intermission at 1-1. "The kid played well," Woods said of Lisabeth, who picked up two assists in the game. "He comes every day to play and played good defense tonight as well."

Louis Dumont gave the Ice Pilots a 2-1 lead on the power play in the second off a rebound from Greg Pankewicz at 1:33. But then it was the Sea Wolves' turn to tie it up.

Jerome Marois took a pass from Francois Fortier and delivered the slap shot from the left point for a 2-2 game at 9:56. Sheldon Brookbank also earned an assist. The score stood into the second intermission.

"We put Brookbank with Baxter when we traded Jay McGee and it's working well," Woods said. "Jim talks to him and he's already calmed down. Jim's play is contagious; that's why we need his leadership."

Pensacola took the lead again at 8:25 in the third when Pankewicz beat former Tiger Shark Evan Lindsay for a 3-2 game. But that would be the last time Pensacola would get the better of Lindsay, who stopped 39 of 42 shots.

Fortier knotted the game at 3-3 when he sent a shot down the slot to beat Maxime Gingras at 16:16. Jeremy Rebek picked up the assist.

Then Baxter, who played solid on the blue line all night long, picked up a pass from Lisabeth, who brought the puck from behind the net to feed Baxter. Then he one-timed it from in front of the crease for the 4-3 score and the game-winner.

"I have all the confidence in the world in that guy," Woods said. "He came in and played solid on the blue line all night."

Pensacola pulled Gingras with 1:10 to play and charged the Sea Wolves' goal to try to send the game into overtime, but Lindsay stood strong and the Wolves played tough in their own zone to pick up the win.

By Scott Munn
The Oklahoman

Aren Miller and Jason Fricker have similar objectives.

The Oklahoma City Blazers goaltenders want to win. To do that, they have a common goal of keeping as many pucks in front of them as possible.

Other than a mutual respect for each other, that's about where the similarities end.

"What we've got here is a Mutt and Jeff," Blazers coach Doug Sauter said.

"Mutt" is Miller, who is 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds. "Jeff" is Fricker, a 5-7, 170-pounder. And just like the tall and short comic strip characters from the early 1900s, Miller and Fricker are working-class guys who are simply trying to make a living.

"You definitely know who Miller is, and you definitely know who Fricker is," Sauter said with a laugh. "They have two different stories. Miller has been there before, and his experience shows. Fricker is a rookie who has struggled a little bit; he's still learning."

Oklahoma City has a tradition of good goaltending. A Blazers goaltender has won the league's goaltender of the year award seven times since the Central Hockey League returned in 1992.

Exceptional netminding is no different this season, although Miller has stepped forward as the No. 1 man in the rotation. Sauter prefers to alternate starting goaltenders, but Miller's taken a shorter time to adjust to Oklahoma City's system.

He has three previous seasons of pro experience, skills that have been refined since Detroit made Miller its second-round pick in the 1996 NHL draft. But Fricker makes up for some inexperience with quickness never seen by a Blazers goaltender; the three-time Canadian college all-star can make a save that leaves teammates shaking their heads as well as frustrated opponents.

"The look we give is an advantage, too," said Miller, who is 10-1-2 with a 2.71 goals-against average. "Teams have to do different things against us, because they have to change the game plan. They have to think a lot more."

Example: When Austin plays the Blazers for the first time this season on Saturday in the Myriad, it might face Miller, a 23-year-old who covers most of the net. When the teams play again in January, Austin might see Fricker, a 25-year-old whose short stature leaves juicy openings.

"I rely more on my reflexes and angles, like challenging shooters more than Aren would have to. He just covers more net," said Fricker, who is 3-3-2 with a 2.96 GAA. "I use my stick a lot more when the players are in close, because they can see more net. Aren, if he positions himself well in net, then the puck is probably going to hit him."

Sauter said goaltender size isn't a factor. All he wants is someone who stops the puck consistently. Miller's .921 saves percentage ranks fourth in the CHL. Fricker isn't far behind at .912. Last season's goaltenders, Rod Branch and Brant Nicklin, combined for a .913 saves percentage and the Blazers won the championship.

"Sometimes you ask about size when you're recruiting," said Sauter, whose first-place club plays Fort Worth at 7:35 p.m. Friday in the Myriad. "But a lot of my great goaltenders -- Trevor Kidd is 6-foot-2 and Mike Vernon is something like 5-foot- 6. Size is one thing that really doesn't matter. You don't have to be big to be a good goaltender.

"Miller and Fricker have different styles, but I'm real pleased with both of them. They both have potential to play at another level."

The coach sees areas where Miller and Fricker need polish. Both need to improve their passes to teammates in front and behind the net. Some nights, concentration becomes a problem when Miller or Fricker are seeing fewer shots.

The tall and short of it? Miller and Fricker give Oklahoma City another exceptional goaltending tandem.

"If something happens to either one of us, you've got to have another guy who can play. We have that," Miller said. "We're friends, too. There isn't any animosity between us. If goalies on a team don't get along, then it makes for a team conflict."

Fricker said: "This is a big adjustment. Shots can come when you least expect them, and the game is quicker. But I'm learning. Anytime I get in there, I just want to give the team a chance to win."

One hundred sixty-nine penalty minutes. Two game misconducts. Seven fighting majors. Jason Clarke is just doing his job.

Those numbers are what the Brahmas bargained for when they signed the forward for muscle. His reputation as the career penalty minutes leader in the East Coast Hockey League indicated he'd bring toughness to the Brahmas in their inaugural Central Hockey League season.

But he's also given them these numbers: eight goals, four assists and a plus-8 rating.

When it comes to the Brahmas, he's not hurting anybody.

"No doubt about it, Jason is more than a fighter," Brahmas coach Todd Lalonde said. "He does so many things that help us out -- he can shoot the puck 100 miles an hour, he knows how to play in his own end, he has a great hockey sense, and of course, he is a physically intimidating guy."

Clarke, 6 feet, 210 pounds, collected 15 penalty minutes on one play Sunday against San Antonio when he was called for a spearing major and received an automatic game misconduct.

Jim Baxter Traded to Mississippi
December 11, 2001

Third year defenseman brings offense and experience to blueline

BILOXI, Miss<. – The Mississippi Sea Wolves organization announced today veteran center Jeff Bes has been traded to the Augusta Lynx in exchange for defenseman Jim Baxter and future considerations.

Bes exits Mississippi after 23 games, as the Sea Wolves leader in points with 28 including nine goals and 19 assists. The 28-year-old also finished with 62 penalty minutes and a team worst minus nine.

Baxter comes to the Sea Wolves after playing 26 games in Augusta. The 22-year-old native of Brantford, Ontario posted four goals and seven assists for 11 points to go along with 20 penalty minutes. The 6-3, 195-pound blueliner is in his third year of professional hockey. Last season in Tallahassee, Baxter tied for 10th in ECHL scoring among defensemen scoring 15 goals and adding 32 assists for 47 points in 72 games. He was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 7th round in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.

Mississippi Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Bob Woods says, “It’s a good trade for our hockey club. It wasn’t easy trading Jeff, but we needed to change the chemistry – 10 wins in 23 games isn’t good enough. If you want something good, you have to give up something good. We were looking for a solid experienced defenseman and Jim Baxter fits the mold, plus the future considerations will benefit us down the road. Baxter is a player that I’ve been trying to acquire since the summer. I expect him to be an excellent addition to our defense and power play. I’m excited about having him join the Sea Wolves.”

Sea Wolves General Manager Jean Gagnon> stated, “As tough as it is trading Jeff Bes, we needed to make a sacrifice to become a better hockey club. Jim Baxter will make us a better team.”

Cal Ingraham suspended
December 4, 2001

The WCHL suspended Idaho Steelheads star Cal Ingraham on Tuesday for an elbow he threw 10 days earlier against San Diego.

Ingraham will sit out Idaho's next game with the Gulls -- Jan. 8 in San Diego.

Ingraham was not penalized for the elbowing infraction that came in the third period of Idaho's 4-3 win Nov. 24 at the Bank of America Centre.

Matt Oates who has been out with a knee injury is expected to return to the Steelhead's line up today.

Richards Just Misses CHL Honors
December 3-4, 2001

Combinded from Memphis Riverking Press Releases:

1-3 Punch: The RiverKings goaltending duo of Mark Richards and Sebastien Centomo has been a real knockout this season. Richards, ranks first in the CHL with a 2.08 goals against average, and Centomo is third in the league with a 2.14 GAA. Richards is 6-1-1 with a .924 save percentage. Centomo is 10-1-0 with a .936 save percentage. The RiverKings have the CHL's best team goals against average at 2.21 and also the best team save percentage in the league at .928.

Centomo Named CHL Goalie Of The Month
Richards Also Considered For Honor

The Central Hockey League has named Memphis RiverKings goaltender Sebastien Centomo the American Hockey Company goaltender of the month for the month of November. Among the others receiving serious consideration for the honor was Centomo's RiverKings teammate Mark Richards.

The two backstopped the RiverKings to a 13-0-1 record in November. Centomo, assigned to the RiverKings by the Toronto Maple Leafs, was 8-0-0 in November. The 6-foot-1, 196 pounder had one shutout in November (2-0 at Bossier-Shreveport) and gave up only 12 goals in eight appearances. His goals against average for the month was a miniscule 1.58 and his save percentage was an eye popping .953. Centomo was named the league's goalie of the week for the week ending November 25th. Overall on the season, he is 10-1-0 with a 2.14 goals against average and .936 save percentage.

Combining with Richards (who leads the CHL in goals against average at 2.08) the duo have the RiverKings with the best goals against average in the CHL at 2.21 and league best save percentage of .928.

"There's no question that our goaltending was certainly a big reason for our great success last month," RiverKings coach Doug Shedden said. "Both Mark and Sebastien have been simply outstanding for us."

December 4, 2001
Honors Keep Rolling In For Centomo
CHL Goalie Of The Week For Second Straight Week

For the second straight week, the Central Hockey League has selected Memphis RiverKings goaltender Sebastien Centomo as the goaltender of the week, this time for the week ending Sunday December 2nd. The CHL made the announcement one day after proclaiming Centomo the CHL/American Hockey Company Goaltender of the Month for November.

Last week Centomo was 2-0-0 with wins over Bossier-Shreveport and Wichita. He had to leave the game on Thursday in the RiverKings 2-1 win over Bossier-Shreveport with muscle cramps. He had stopped 36 of 37 shots before leaving that game. He returned Saturday night, to stop 20 of the 21 shots he faced in a 7-1 win over Wichita on Saturday.

For the week, Centomo had 1.09 goals against average and .966 save percentage. Teammate Mark Richards also got strong consideration for the award. In his relief of Centomo on Thursday he stopped all four shots he faced. Richards also got the win on Friday in Bossier-Shreveport stopping 35 of 36 shots and then turned away five of seven shootout attempts to give the RiverKings another 2-1 win.

The duo has combined to give the RiverKings a league best goals against average of 2.21 and league leading save percentage at .928.

<>12/20/01 B.C. Icemen (UHL)-- Placed goaltender Erasmo Saltarelli on 21-day injured reserve.

12/11/01 Mississippi Sea Wolves (ECHL)-- Traded center Jeff Bes to the Augusta Lynx for defenseman Jim Baxter and future considerations.

12/10/01 Norfolk Admirals (AHL)-- Assigned right wing Olivier Morin to Roanoke of the East Coast Hockey League.

12/07/01 Idaho Steelheads (WCHL)-- Activated forward Matt Oates from injured reserve.

12/04/01 West Coast Hockey League-- Suspended Idaho Steelheads forward Cal Ingraham one game.

12/03/01 Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)-- Recalled center Benoit Dusablon from Charlotte of the East Coast Hockey League.

Dusablon, who had one goal in three games with the Wolf Pack in October, is the Checkers' leading scorer.

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