Barons start December with the most wins in the AHL

OKLAHOMA CITY . Okla. — With 22 games behind them, the Barons have earned a 16-5-0-1 record, which is tops in all of minor league hockey.   The ingredients for success included a high scoring home opener, where ten new franchise records were set, a six game win streak, two goaltenders listed in the top 16 for the league as well as a few league leaders in game-winning goals, and short-handed goals. “The type of team we are trying to have is nine guys that get 40 points or more, then we are in good shape.   We are going to have to rely on scoring my committee, every guy is going to have to contribute,” said Coach Todd Nelson.
 
The home opener on Oct. 15^th delighted the crowd with a 10 to1 win over the Texas Stars.   The new franchise records include: most goals in a game (10), most points in a game (28), most assists in a game (18) most goals in a period (6), largest margin of victory (9), fastest two goals (10 seconds), fastest three goals (44 seconds), most consecutive goals (9), best individual +/- (+4: Antti Tyrvainen and Triston Grant) and best team +/- (+ 30).   Two rookies also earned their first pro goal opening night: Tyler Pitlick and Hunter Tremblay, who had the first goal of the game. “It all clicked tonight, it is just a matter of getting the right combinations and getting the guys to play together,” said Nelson.  
 
The Barons franchise Best six-game winning streak ran from Oct. 29^th through November 11. “Our confidence is definitely high, but we need to make sure that we realize as a tem, what got us there.   A coach’s nightmare is going into the third period, when you are up nine to zero, is to make sure the guys have good habits going into the third period,” said Nelson.
 
Sophomore Phillip Cornet is the AHL leader in goals, with 15 goals in 20games.   His current shooting % is 39.5 which is the best in the league and he also leads the league in game-winning goals with 4. His high-scoring season started the second week into the Season.   Cornet earned his first goal Oct. 15^th and continued his scoring streak until Oct. 21^st. “Most goals are scored in the crease or in the slot, so that is were I go.   A year of experience helps in making more plays,” said Cornet.     
 
Cornet was the only goal scorer when the Barons shut out the Houston Aeros on Oct. 16^th, with two goals.   He followed by scoring the game-winning goal later in the week, for the Barons win over the Grand Rapids Griffins.   Again, he had a two goal game.   By November 5^th, he had surpassed the goal he had earned his freshman season, which was seven.   “The guy is a smart player and does everything right out there, it is technical hockey,” said Nelson.  
 
All the short-handed goals belong to rookie Hunter Tremblay, which is a league high; of his four goals, there are shorthanded goals.   “I spend most of the time on the penalty-kill, so if I score, it is going to be on the PK,” said Tremblay.
 
After starting the pre-season in Edmonton, Taylor Chorney was put on waivers and picked-up by the NHL St. Louis Blues.   He was reclaimed by Edmonton on Nov. 10^th.   “To get snagged by St. Louis pumped me.   I got a chance to play a few games [for St. Louis] but now I am right back here, it is good to be here.   It is fun to come to a team that is playing well,” said Chorney.
 
Sharing the goaltending duties are David LeNeveu typically the road game goaltender, and Yann Danis.   “Just go out there and give them a chance to win every night.   They are getting the goals, so it is up to me to have to shut the door,” said Danis.   His two shut-outs of the season came on October 16^th on the road, and November 11^th at home.   “He is a very calming presence, to watch him play, he is always in good position,” said Nelson.
 
Former San Antonio goaltender David LeNeveu earned his first shut-out of the season on Dec. 2^nd, against his former teammates.     He is now ranked as the number two goaltender in the AHL, with a goals against average of 1.85.   He has won all three contests against the Rampage this season. “Anytime you play for a team for so many years and you go back there, you want to play well against them.   I’m comfortable there, I know their rink, and I know what they bring to the table,” said LeNeveu.  
 
The success hasn’t been without some disappointments.   After the loss to Abbotsford on November 19^th, changes to the line-up were inevitable, as this was the first time in two seasons that the Heat had defeated the Barons. “The power-play should be your best chance to score; you should be hungry and you should be aggressive,” said Nelson.   The coach continued to comment on the lack-luster game performance on the power-play. “It is not a God-given right to play the power-play it is a privilege.   That is what the guys had better understand.   I guys are going to have to work hard on it, or I will find somebody that does,” said Nelson.  
 
The Barons rank seventh in the AHL for both the power-play and penalty kill, with a very respectable 20.4 percent on the power-play, and 84.3 percent on the penalty kill. Breaking down the numbers of the specialty teams between home games versus away games, the Barons have a better power-play on the road, and conversely a better penalty kill at home. “If we can finish in the top 10 in both the Power-play and penalty kill, that usually says you are going to make-it to the play-offs.   The stats show that 75 or 70 percent of the games now are determined by special teams,” said Nelson.  
 
Considering the Barons only have two veteran spots filled, the above accomplishments are more impressive. “We have two vet spots open, which is a goo position for us to be in.   If we are in a position where we are making a good push for the Calder Cup in February, we can make a trade and get some more veteran guys in here,” said Nelson.  
 
When asked about their teammates, the two veterans commented: “The young guys have a lot of enthusiasm and are trying to prove themselves.   It bodes well for the future and going forward,” said veteran forward Ryan Keller. “Forever young” Bryan Helmer at age 39 also commented. “The young guys demand the puck and that is what veterans do.   They play with so much confidence.   That’s what keeps me young: are these young guys,” said Helmer.   
 
Contact the author at: gail.hamill@prohockeynews.com