Frolov Finishes Vampyres

Alexander Frolov reflects in the tunnel after the game before being introduced as first star.







Calgary, AB (CP)

Alexander Frolov is making up for lost time. After a regular season in which he scored just 7 goals in 65 games, he has responded to the challenge of the playoffs and has now scored 4 goals in 6 games against Calgary, with the last one being the eliminator for the Vampyres as the Rovers advance on the strength of a 4-3 OT win in game 6. "It's just been a relief to get on track here in the playoffs", Frolov said afterwards. "The coach gave me the opportunity from game 1, and I've tried to take advantage of it. Rex and Pavs deserve much of the credit; they are great players".

Frolov opened the scoring under three minutes in, completing a pretty passing play from Recchi and Demitra. The 1-0 lead held up into the second, when Marek Zidlicky equalized on the power-play. With shots even at 22 and the score even at one, the third saw an eruption of goals. First Val Bure gave the Vamps the lead only see Murray tie it, then Konowalchuk put the Vamps up again until Jokinen equalized with five minutes remaining. This set the stage for Frolov who, taking a breakout pass from Eric Brewer, danced in alone on Toskala and made a brilliant forehand deke on a clear breakaway from center to send the Rovers to the third round.

"This is the kind of output that we've known Alex to be capable of all season", Stringer said. "It's just been a matter of bringing it every night. We're thrilled that he has stepped up in such a big way".

The Rovers now await their next opponent, though they know that they will be the home team. This was assured in Lethbridge when the Selects completed their upset over the second-seeded Capones. Lethbridge now goes to Kitchener to play the Mounties, while the Rovers wait on the winner of game 7 between South Edmonton and Saskatoon. When asked if he had a favourite opponent of the two, Stringer offered a wry smile. "Do you honestly think I'd tell you if I did? They're both great, and neither will be a cakewalk. It's going to be hard-fought, that's all I know".

Rovers Ink Markov, Gerber, Hall to extensions

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

With the deadline for RHL contract extensions looming at midnight tonight, June 10th, the Baffin Island Rovers submitted their list of decisions to the league office for official approval. The Rovers announced that they are re-signing trade deadline acquisition Danny Markov to a new contract. Terms were not disclosed, however he is the second would-have-been-UFA rearguard retained by the club, who earlier in the week announced a long-term contract extension for fellow blueliner Robyn Regehr. Markov, acquired from the Waterloo Roadkill in exchange for Cale Hulse and Jeff Tambellini, played 30 games for Baffin, registering 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points while posting a +10 rating.

Also signing new contracts tonight were goaltender Martin Gerber and forward Adam Hall. Gerber, acquired during the preseason for Mike Knuble and Anton Babchuk, had a tremendous first season with the Rovers, posting a 26-12-7 record in 46 games, with a 1.94 GAA, .919 sv pct and 3 shutouts. Hall, a second round draft pick of the club from RHL11, played his first full season with the club this year. Appearing in 62 games, he scored 6 goals and 8 assists for 14 points with a +7 rating.

Not being resigned by the team are forwards Mark Recchi, Cory Stillman and Jeff Halpern, along with defensemen Sean Hill and Steve Montador. Recchi and Stillman were not unexpected as both were hired guns near the trade deadline. Sean Hill, the club's first captain and only Rover remaining from the team's RHL11 expansion draft, simply made too large a contract demand. Halpern's case is the more controversial one, and the club is expected to make every effort to retain the forward by going through the free agency process. "It's going to be an off-season of change for everyone", Stringer said of the decisions. "With expansion on the horizon, every team are going to lose some good players. We expect a few of these players to be selected in the expansion process, but any that aren't will be receiving offers from us in free agency".

Rovers Offense Rises, Takes Game 5

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

After being held relatively in check through four games, the explosiveness came back to the Baffin Island Rovers attack in game five as they overwhelmed Vesa Toskala for six goals on 34 shots, winning the match 6-1. The Rovers now take a 3-2 lead in the series.

After a scoreless first period which saw the Rovers outshoot the Vamps 11-7, Mark Recchi struck for two goals within 14 seconds to put the Rovers up 2-0. Those goals were quickly followed up by Kim Johnsson's first of the playoffs and Olli Jokinen's second of the post-season to give the Rovers a 4-0 lead going into the third. It was a lead they would not relinquish, as after Marek Zidlicky got the Vampyres on the board at the nine minute mark of the frame, Alex Frolov replied a minute later and Nathan Horton, in his first game of the playoffs, capped the scoring with seven minutes to play. Chris Mason made his third straight start, stopping 21 of 22 shots for the victory. "It was great to see all lines going", Stringer said of the win. "Fro, Rex, and Demitra were great, and Olli and Muzz were going. It was also good for Horts to get on the scoreboard after the time off. It's definitely a confidence boost heading back to Calgary".

Calgary is indeed where they are headed, as game 6 will go tomorrow. Expect no lineup changes for the Rovers, who will look to advance to the third round with a win.

Frolov Sighting in Calgary!

Alexander Frolov studies the game clock after igniting the Rovers attack

Calgary, AB (CP)

After dropping a 3-2 decision on home ice in game 2, the Rovers needed to win once in Calgary to regain home-ice advantage in the series. Mission accomplished after only one attempt, as Chris Mason came off the bench to start and made 14 saves to lead the Rovers to a 2-1 road victory. Two players who were called out by the local media for poor regular seasons responded with both goals as Alex Frolov notched the opening marker and Eric Brewer added the eventual winner. Both players registered a goal and an assist in the contest. Gary Roberts broke Mason's shutout bid in the final minute of the game, but the Vampyres could not draw even.

"That's the kind of effort we need out of Alex every night", Stringer said of his young winger. "He played a heck of a game out there, and has the ability to take over whenever he wants to. He just needs to trust himself more and let it happen".

Game 4 goes tonight in Calgary. Mason is expected to again get the start in goal. Nathan Horton will be a game time decision. Vampyres winger Jere Lehtinen left game 3 early with an upper body injury. His status is questionable for the remainder of the series.

Legwand, Hall Step Fourth

David Legwand prepares himself during the anthem

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

More than two weeks removed from their last game action, the Baffin Island Rovers showed no signs of rust as they pounced on the Calgary Vampyres from the opening whistle of game 1 of the second round and did not let up for sixty minutes. The Rovers held the edge in shots, faceoffs, hits, corner battles, puck possession, passing, but most importantly goals as they took the opening game 4-2.

The Rovers owned the opening frame, taking a 2-0 lead on goals from Olli Jokinen and Sean Hill while outshooting the Vamps 15-5. They increased the pressure in the second, but the lack of shots got to Martin Gerber as the Vamps snuck two by him on two shots in the opening six minutes. With the game tied at two, the fourth line stepped it up as David Legwand took an Adam Hall pass and snapped a high glove shot to break the deadlock, and then Hall scored in the third from Legwand for the insurance marker. The Vampyres managed almost as many shots in the third (8) as they did in the first two periods combined (9), but could not put another puck past Gerber. "Leggy and Hall were great for us", Stringer said of his fourth unit. "We were throwing everything we had at Toskala, but that line gave him a different look and finally they broke through".

The two teams are back at it again tonight at the Igloo for game 2. Expect no lineup changes from the Rovers. Nathan Horton has been ruled out for game 2 and will begin skating with the team later in the week. He is questionable for the games in Calgary.

It Had To Be You

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

Short, but intense. Such has been the playoff rivalry between the Rovers and Vampyres. Once Malone division foes and now Champions adversaries, the short playoff history of Baffin Island has always travelled through Calgary. First in RHL13 when the upstart Rovers downed the favoured Vampyres in the second round on their way to their first championship, and then last season when they clashed in a 7 game final, taken by the Vampyres. And now again they meet, though this time with the Rovers holding home-ice advantage for the first time. After finishing third in the Champions and a hair out of first place, the Rovers look to some to have the edge in the series, but don't tell that to the players or coaches.

"You have to be kidding me", Stringer said of a reporter who suggested that the Rovers should have an easy time with Calgary. "What in any of the history we've had, past or recent, would suggest to you that this will be easy? The answer is nothing. It's not going to be easy. We're going to play our game and if we work harder I think we can accomplish our goal, but it will be anything but easy".

In fact, even this season the Rovers have not had fared well against the Vampyres. Vesa Toskala, coming off three shutouts in the opening round against Albany, has stymied the Rovers time and time again this season. They will have to throw everything they have at Toskala to beat him, and then hope that the tandem of Gerber and Mason hold up their end of the bargain. The starter for game 1 tonight still has yet to be announced. "Both guys will play in the playoffs, so that's not going to change", Stringer said of the manner in which he intends to use his netminders. "We have two quality guys back there, so we'll use them both".

The Rovers enter the series relatively healthy, with only rookie Nathan Horton out of the lineup. He is confirmed out for the two games in Baffin, but will be day to day beyond that. Manny Malhotra will replace him in the lineup, while Alexander Frolov will return to the top-6 forwards in Horton's absence. "This is Alex's time to step up", Stringer said of his enigmatic winger. "He didn't have the year he was capable of, but he can erase all that with a big playoff run".