Baton Rouge Kingfish

Weekly Release 01/08/01

January 8-14

Contact: Stan Gulutsan 225-336-4625 ext. 25

 

 

 

SCHAFER NETS ECHL HONORS

 

Paxton Schafer stopped 97% of the shots he faced in two games this past weekend earning a pair of 4-1 victories and the ECHL’s designated Goaltender of the Week award. Despite going 2-0 on the weekend the Kingfish remain in seventh place (39 points) in the Southwest Division albeit with the third best winning percentage (.574). The Southern Conference leaders South Carolina (52 pts.) and Louisiana (48 pts.) have distanced themselves from the rest of the pack.  However the Conference is shaping up to be a major horse race with eight teams sitting with between 39 and 41 points. The Kingfish are unbeaten in their last nine home games (7-0-2).

 

Wed., Jan. 10, vs. Jackson

The Bandits make their maiden voyage into Baton Rouge. The Kingfish mustered only three goals in dropping four decisions in Jackson earlier this season. All-Star netminder David Brumby has rejoined the Bandits from Cleveland (IHL).

 

Fri., Jan. 12, in Louisiana

The IceGators are coming off a tough 0-3 Northern road swing. Ice Gator F Jay Murphy has sizzled against the Fish scoring eight goals and seven assists in the six meetings this season. C Mike Rucinski leads the Kingfish with 4 goals and 3 assists vs. Louisiana.

 

Sat., Jan. 13, in New Orleans

The Brass lead the season series vs. the Kingfish with a 3-1-1 record and have the Southwest Division’s best record over the last ten games (7-3-0)

 

Sun., Jan. 14, in Mobile

The Kingfish travel to Mobile for the one and only scheduled game there this season. The Mysticks come to Baton Rouge three times. The Mysticks snapped a seven game losing streak in Florida last Saturday.

 

*All Kingfish games are broadcast on WIBR 1300 The Sports Animal and on the Internet at www.kingfishhockey.com (click on highlights and news)

 

 

 

LOOKING BACK

 

1/5   Kingfish 4 vs. IcePilots 1

Mike Rucinski had a goal and two assists in the victory. Rookie D Jason McKee added two assists in his first game in a Kingfish uniform. D Ronalds Ozolinsh netted his first goal of the season on a second period power play.

 

1/6   Kingfish 4 at SeaWolves 1

The Kingfish spotted Mississippi a 1-0 lead then scored four answered goals to claim victory. D Kris Mallette scored the game winner (his first professional goal) in the second period.

 

GET HOOKED ON THE KINGFISH

 

Leading the Fish

Goals:     Mike Rucinski (13)

Assists:   Jon Sturgis (17)

Points:    Jon Sturgis, Mike Rucinski (28)

PIM:       Keith Bland (109)

+/-:       Rucinski (+9)

 

Notes:

·         C Sean Berens has signed a new contract with Grand Rapids (IHL) and will not be returning to the Kingfish this season.

·         The Kingfish have allowed only 21 goals in the first period this season, lowest in the league.

·         Jay Legault has a goal and five assists in 13 games, Jarrett Smith one goal and four assists in 15 games with Cincinnati (AHL).

·         D Jason McKee was acquired from Richmond for future considerations.

·         Kingfish Power Play 15.06% (23th)

·         Kingfish Penalty Killing 82.48% (11^th)

 

Hibernia Cup Update

The challenge for hockey supremacy among the three Louisiana teams continues. 

Ice Gators  8-1-2  18pts.

Kingfish     4-4-3  11pts.

Brass          4-5-1   9pts.

 

Tickets and Information

Season tickets, 10-game mini-plans and group packages are available by calling the Kingfish office at 336-GOAL.  Individual tickets for all remaining Baton Rouge home games are on sale at the Riverside Centroplex Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, Ticketmaster on-line and charge by phone at 761-8400.

 

Next Home Games

Wednesday, January 10, vs. Jackson at 7:05 p.m.; Wednesday, January 24, vs. Birmingham at 7:05 p.m.; Friday, January 26, vs. New Orleans at 7:05 p.m.; Saturday, January 27, vs. Mississippi at 7:05 p.m.

 

The Coach’s Show

Chris Kenyon is your host for the weekly Coach’s Show with Kingfish Head Coach David Lohrei. The show is broadcast live from the Casino Rouge on WIBR 1300 AM from 6:00-7:00 p.m. each Monday night.