Multimedia

Hey Barons Nation... want even more about your favorite IHL team?  Check out our youtube channel: youtube.com/users/gobaronshockey... lots of REALLY neat stuff!  We've got:

1) Post Game interviews from Round 1 and 2

2) Previews for next game (here's the one for the Semis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjTSFTZ_UIo

All in all, some cool stuff is going on!

Barons Give Racers a Flat Tire

-Columbus, OH

            The Barons emerged victorious in their quarterfinal matchup against the Racers, winning by an incredible margin of 10-0.  After a defensive first shift, the second line stepped up and broke the stalemate as forward Andrew Bickell scored his first of two goals.  From there, the floodgates were opened.  In total, 6 Barons players notched goals.  Bickell, center Ryan Schwepfinger, and first star of the game Kristin Sutton all notched two goals apiece while forward Ben Reinke scored his first of the season, and forward Chris Wilkin buried one as well.  The Racers came in scoring 6.4 goals per game, but where shut down by an energetic defense playing in front of goaltender Corey Olson, who secured his second shutout of the season.  The Barons now move on to face the #1 seeded Nordiques, who were victorious 3-2 over the North Stars, in the semifinals next Tuesday.

Barons v. Racers Game Preview

-Columbus, Ohio

            Tonight, at 11:15 pm, the Barons (#4 seed) take on the Racers (#5 seed) in a Quarterfinal IHL matchup.  After dispatching the #13 seed Millionaires 3-1 on Monday, the Barons (4-0) look to continue their defensive streak going against one of the highest scoring teams in the league.  The Racers (3-1-1), come in averaging whopping 6.4 goals per game, 3^rd overall in the IHL, and piled up the goals in a 7-2 victory over the #12 seed Victorians.  But don’t let the 1^st round’s low scoring deceive you, the Barons can also light up the net, averaging 6.25 goals per game.  As you can see, this has all the makings of a good old-fashioned shootout.  The puck drops at 11:15 at the OSU Ice Rink.

Quotes about tonight’s game from some of the Barons:

“We must look at the challenge in front of us and forget about nationwide.  Nationwide is 3 games away.  Tonight is the most important thing at hand. Don't dwell on the past; don't look toward the future, live in the moment or challenge at hand.  The racers are the challenge.”

-Defenseman/Forward Michael Cozzi

“I think we got caught looking ahead after a smooth regular season. We can't tighten up when things don't go the way we expect them. If anyone expected 9-1 or 10-0 wins, they're crazy. The playoffs are a war and we have to treat it as so.”

–Forward Erik Yost

“Look for team chemistry to rebound and result in a scoring extravaganza.”

-Forward Joey Balla

“I think the key to tonight's game is teamwork.  We have shaken the rust out from last game and need to start playing with more desperation, knowing our roles, playing as a team.”

-Defenseman Andy Schwepfinger

“It’s not everyday that you get to play in the spotlight.  We have to seize the moments when they are presented to us.  Tonight is a moment, let’s seize it.”

-Defenseman Matthew Ripley

“WOOOOOOOO (in a Diebler voice)”

-Forward Chris Wilkin

Barons Disappointed, But Optimistic After First Round Win

-Columbus, Ohio

            One day removed from their first round victory over the Millionaires, the Barons are left with a bag of mixed emotions.  While a 3-1 victory is nothing to shake your head at, the consensus throughout the team was one of disappointment in the performance of the team.  Forward/Defenseman Michael Cozzi put is simply, “we played like shit… The first 24 minutes were awful and we should be thankful for moving on.”

            Forward and Barons Captain Ryan Schwepfinger explained this in a little more depth saying, “We played lazy, head-down hockey and we got away with it. We need to be better in all three zones: possessing the puck, breaking out of our zone with passing and skating instead of icing the puck, and look for passes and cycles on offense.”  Schwepfinger was disappointed in the way that the team got away from the strong hockey that the Barons had played throughout the regular season, citing that the team needed to “play within our system.”

            Perhaps maybe it was outside forces that affected the Barons’ early play. "In hindsight, all that pre-game pizza was a terrible idea for many reasons. We were flat-footed, slow, and frankly, I spent 5 hours on the toilet through the night,” candidly explained Forward Nic Sanders.

            But, clearly, not all was negative in the game.  One glowing positive was Goaltender Corey Olson, who earned the team’s first star.

            “I always breathe easier when Corey is back there,” said Defenseman Matt Ripley, “and today was no exception.  Game saving save after game saving save, he was on his game from the puck drop.”  Similar sentiments were shared by much of the team, giving Olson his first ever star, possibly overdue.

            Forward and GM Erik Yost commented, “We had some great goaltending and had guys step up down the stretch.”  Those other guys may be Defenseman Rick Leeman and Forward Andrew Bickell, the second and third stars respectively.  Both delivered goals in clutch moments when goals seemed to be hard to come by for the typically high-scoring Barons.

This is not a surprising fact as the Millionaires, despite their 1-2-1 record, were only giving up 2.74 goals per game.  They held the Barons to 5 goals less than their season average (8.3), and frustrated the team throughout the night with their physical defensive style.  “It was a scrappy game,” said Yost plainly.

In the end though, the Barons emerged victorious, and some think that this sort of game is just what the doctor ordered.  “The sign of a great team is one that can win ugly,” explained Forward Josh Samuels. “That's what we did last night. The playoffs are all about one thing: survive and advance. “

“We're still alive, and we can only get better,” added Schwepfinger, yet the quote that sums up the whole night came from Defenseman Brian Williams.  “A win’s a win.”  Amen.

Barons Bankrupt Millionaires

-OSU Ice Rink, Columbus, Ohio


        Baron Nation was out in force as the Barons took on the Millionaires in an IHL first round matchup.  Coming in, it was well known of the defensive prowess of both teams, and it certainly showed as the Barons held on to a late 3 goal lead to win the match 3-1.


        The scoring line was opened up early on the first shift by a fantastic shot by Forward and Barons Captain Ryan Schwepfinger.  After a tripping on a breakaway. R. Schwepfinger was given another chance to light up the scoreboard but missed just left of the post. The score stayed locked at 1-0 through the majority of the match until Defenseman Rick Leeman hit a laser in the closing seconds of the shift to put the Barons up 2-0.  After an exchange of penalties, Forward Andrew Bickell added a third goal for the Barons bringing the score up to 3-0.  A late flurry in the final 4 minutes by the Millionaires brought the score line to 3-1, but a strong final shift ended the miracle comeback run well short.


         In the end, the Barons have moved on to face the #5 seed Racers at OSU Ice Rink on Wednesday, February 23 at 11:15 pm.  The Racers defeated the Victorians in their first round matchup to move on.  A preview of the game plus player reactions to both this game and their Quarterfinal matchup will be posted Wednesday.


Thanks to all who came out and supported, and as always GO BARONS, BEAT THAT BEAT UP!

Making it Big Time

Earlier today, ESPN SportsCenter host John Buccigross tweeted about the upcoming Playoffs... check it out yourself...

Now get ready, Baron Nation... we're gonna need your help tonight!!!

IHL Awards Finalists Announced

IHL award nominations... heres the wiki link for those who dont know all the award names: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Hockey_League_awards

Hart Trophy: Ryan Schwepfinger, Erik Yost, Matt Ripley

Lady Byng: Ben Reinke, Michael Cozzi, Andrew Bickell

Calder: Brian Williams, Josh Samuels, Colby MacMillan

Norris: Matt Ripley, Ian Simrod, Andrew Schwepfinger

Masterson: Michael Cozzi, Erik Yost, Andrew Schwepfinger

Lindsay: Team MVP voted at end of season

Jack Adams (for fans): Kyle Westendorf, Alex Wasylik, Jeff Pejsa

Selke: Chris Wilken, Ryan Schwepfinger, Brian Williams



Who do YOU think deserves these honors?

Barons v. Millionaires Press Release

The Barons start their Quest for the Shirt on Monday.  Coming in at the #4 seed, garnering an astounding 3-0 record in the regular season and a division title, they are matched up against the #13 seed, the Millionaires.  The Millionaires played to a respectable 1-2-1 record in the regular season.  This is sure to be a defensive matchup as both teams are in the top half of the league in goals allowed.  The game is scheduled to take place at the OSU Ice Rink at 12:15 AM Feb 22.

Quotes from players and fans:

"It's a great opportunity for us to start our playoff run right.  We have to stick to our system, be responsible, and work hard.  We can't worry about the shirt, we need to worry about the Millionaires."

-Captain Ryan Schwepfinger

"The playoffs are here; it's a new season.  We just have to keep playing within ourselves and rely on some of our veterans to step up.  As long as we play the two way hockey we know we can, no one can stop us."

-Goaltender Corey Olson

"Tomorrow's game isn't about goal celebrations, it's about goals."

-Defenseman Andrew Schwepfinger

"I hear we're going to set the OSU ice rink attendance record for an IHL game... im looking forward to seeing our fan base out in full force, and taking the next step towards putting on the t-shirt"

-Forward Nic Sanders

"We are a team with championship pedigree and we are more than qualified to win the shirt.  The road starts now."

-Forward Josh Samuels

"There's been a lot of talk about seeds and who's best, but we really just have to leave that to the talking heads and focus on playing our game and making sure that whoever we play we just make sure we're the best team on the ice that night.  I know we can be that team"

- Forward Ryan Studley

"Well we are a little disappointed in the seeding, however that will only provide us with more motivation.  Our goal this entire season was to win the shirt and it's time to complete step one tomorrow."

-Forward Chris Wilkin

"It's not about what we've done so far. No one remembers who won the division, who had the best GA, who got a top 4 seed. You are remembered for championships."

-Defenseman Matthew Ripley

"It's the playoffs baby. It's stop one to getting that shirt"

 -Defenseman Rick Leeman

"This is the time I prepare myself for every year. The past three seasons, you know, we've done well. But this year...I feel it. You can see it in their preparation and their play. This is the Baron's year."

-Super Fan Kyle Westendorf