March 15, 2002

Barons getting loose, limber before stretch run
Mary Schmitt Boyer
Plain Dealer Reporter

Adam Colagiacomo, Graig Mischler and Rob Davison were perched on the boards chatting with the pint-size d skaters in front o f them.  Ryan Kraft was signing a puck for an adoring fan at center ice, and Jonathan Cheechoo and Lynn Loyns were faking a fight on the far side of the rink.

All in all, the Barons looked to be enjoying themselves during their recent open practice at Winterhurst Ice Rink in Lakewood.  Such good times have been scarce during a slide that took them first place to last place in the Central Division of the Western Conference.

"This may be a little break for us to have a little fun," captain Steve Bancroft said.  "We were all kids once, too, and I'm sure all of us went to an NHL or college or juniors team and got autographs.  So we all know what it's like.

"This isn't really work for us.  That's the good side."

Coach Roy Sommer is hoping the evenings activities, combined with a 4-3 overtime victory on Saturday at Syracuse, will be the boost the team needs to get back into the playoff picture.  Going into tonight's game against Norfolk in Gund Arena, the Barons trail the Rochester Americans in the race for the 10th and final playoff spot.

"We're still not out of it," Sommer said.  "We've got a chance.  I think we've still got our best hockey left to play.  We've got 12 games to do it.  We just can't take a night off.  We've got to have 17 or 18 guys going all out when we play, or we'll be in trouble.

OF course, they probably will be without leading scorer Mike Craig, called up by the San Jose Sharks earlier this weak.

"That was good for him,: Sommer said of Craig, who has 57 points, including 33 goals, for the Barons.  "He deserves it.  He has busted his butt every night.  In practice, he works hard.  He's been a good leader.  He's a guy who deserves a shot.  All the guys are happy for him."

Champions honored:  The Barons will honor the state champion St. Edward hockey team during the first intermission of tonight's game against Norfolk in Gund Arena.