echl

After missing the Alaska Aces' first 14 hockey games with a broken left hand suffered blocking a shot in an exhibition game six weeks ago, the former NHLer from Anchorage tonight makes his ECHL debut on the road against Bakersfield. The Aces, who lost to Bakersfield in overtime last week and won the second game of the weekend series in Anchorage, play three games in three nights against the Condors. Until now, all of Ryznar's 264 regular-season and playoff games as a pro have been in either the Americ  

Chicago Blackhawks General Manager of Minor League Affiliations Mark Bernard announced on Thursday that the Rockford IceHogs, members of the American Hockey League, have assigned Right Wing Derek Nesbitt to the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL. Nesbitt has appeared in 11 games in his second stint with the IceHogs, recording one goal and one assist with a plus/minus rating of -5. Nesbitt made his AHL debut with the IceHogs on Dec. 26, 2007 against Peoria.  

Still, the addition of the skilled forward can't do anything but help an Elmira Jackals team that has foundered since opening the season with seven straight wins. In their last seven games they've gone 1-4-1-1 and fallen into a tie for first place in the ECHL American East Division with the Reading Royals. Tifu has produced points wherever he's played, including the American Hockey League, where in 61 career games with the Albany River Rats and Rochester Americans he came up with six goals and 20 assist  

As a hockey fan, it feels like Victoria is recovering from a hangover. With two big tickets in town, the Victoria Salmon Kings should be the first option, but lately the local junior A team has been the hot ticket. The Tier 2 professional Salmon Kings have come out playing the type of hockey that could use a run through the dry-cleaners, let alone a shot of Febreeze.  

Maybe the Idaho Steelheads should offer to play the final two games of this three-game series in Victoria. After all, Idaho has proven to be right at home on the road this season. But Wednesday night, the Steelheads looked out of place at Qwest Arena as they dropped a 5-3 decision to the Victoria Salmon Kings.

We play better on the road   -Derek Laxdal

 

The Elmira Jackals have added forward Yannick Tifu to their roster, the ECHL announced Wednesday. Tifu was acquired last month from the Victoria Salmon Kings, but because his immigration request was slow in going through, the 25-year-old from Brossard, Quebec hasn't been able to get into the lineup. Jackals coach Steve Martinson said Tifu has been practicing with the team for almost two weeks and is ready for Friday night's game against the Wheeling Nailers at First Arena.

He'll be an easy fit   -Steve Martinson

 

The Toledo Walleye have been hit extremely hard by call-ups, but a former University of Michigan standout goalie has bolstered the beleaguered roster. Goalie Alec Richards, forward Maxime Tanguay, and defenseman J.C. Sawyer were called up to the team's American Hockey League affiliate in Rockford, Ill. But former Michigan goalie Billy Sauer joined the team yesterday. Sauer won 71 games in his college career.

I know he’s a very good goalie   -Nick Vitucci

 

Individual excellence in the ECHL is often double-edged for teams -- igniting excitement but also inducing angst. Take the case of Alaska Aces winger Matt Stefanishion. He's played so well lately, producing points and curbing his propensity for taking bad penalties, he's been a boost for the club.

He's a guy who can bring a little bit of offense   -Brent Thompson

 

The Florida Everblades head into a three-game series with the Reading Royals riding high. After sweeping the Toledo Walleye at home last week and with the team's offensive attack starting to come together, there have been a few more smiles in the Everblades' locker room the last few days. "When you're winning guys are in a lot better mood," said a smiling Scott Hotham.

It can be a trap too because you just won three in a row and you don’t want to have an emotional letdown   -Malcolm Cameron

 

This week's edition will again feature former Clarkson goalie David Leggio, who took a brief hiatus from his TPS Turku team in Finland to represent the U.S. in the Deutschland Cup. The Americans went 2-1 and finished in second place. Every game ended in a shootout. Leggio played in two games and stopped 55 of 59 shots, for a .932 save percentage.