[Drury18]

Adirondack Flames (32-28-6-2) vs San Antonio Rampage (Florida Panthers) (43-20-5-1)

Saturday April 4 @ 6:00pm



#2 - Brett Kulak
Kulak, a defenceman from Stoney Plain, AB, is a 4th round pick of the Flames (105 overall) in the 2012 Entry Draft and signed a 3 year ELC on March 18, 2014. Prior to playing in the AHL, Kulak was a member of the Vancouver Giants, twice playing all 72 games in the season and another only missing 3 games. A durable defenseman, Kulak also managed to amass 45G, 92A for a total of 137 points in 216 WHL regular season games. He also played in the 2012-13 Top Prospects game on Team Cherry, who was coached by Ryan Huska that year. Kulak made his pro debut in April 2013 after finishing his 2nd season with the Giants. He played 4 games with the Heat where he didn't register a point. He returned to the WHL in 2013-14 and at the conclusion of that season joined the Heat again where he appeared in 6 regular season games and 4 playoff games. Brett started the 2014-15 season with the Adirondack Flames before being sent down to the ECHL Colorado Eagles so that he could get regular ice time. After impressing in the ECHL with 30 points in 39 games and quarterbacking the powerplay, Kulak was recalled to Adirondack where he is on rotation with the other AHL rookie defenceman to earn a spot on the team. Kulak and his two older brothers grew up on a 14,000 acre grain farm in Stoney Plain and learned to skate on a frozen pond. He says he never went to an actual hockey school unlike many players, but he attended a few power skating classes. He grew up a fan of the Edmonton Oilers and Detroit Red Wings naming Nicklas Lidstrom and Duncan Keith as his favourite players.

Game Notes:

• This is the 4th and final meeting between the two teams this season
• The Flames lead the season series 2-1; Flames have outscored the Rampage 17-13
• The Flames have won 2 games in their last 6; Rampage have won 9 straight

Roster Notes:

• DEL - Corey Potter (D), Markus Granlund (F), Drew Shore (F), Michael Ferland (F) and Tyler Wotherspoon (D) - Called up to NHL Flames
• DEL – Brian McGrattan (F) – Leave of Absence due to birth of 1st child
• The Flames now have 17 Forwards (14 Healthy, 2 Injured, 1 On Leave), 10 Defencemen (9 Healthy) and 4 Goalies (3 Healthy) on the roster

Standings:

• Adirondack sits in 22nd (out of 30 teams) with 72 points and 4th in the North Division 19 points behind Utica, 3 points behind Hamilton and Toronto
• Adirondack sits 12th in the Western Conference, 7 points out of a playoff spot
• Overall PP is 7th in the AHL at 19.0% (52/274). Home PP is 10th at 17.6%; Road PP is 6th at 20.5%
• Overall PK is 16th in the AHL at 83.7% (246/294). Home PK is 28th at 79.7%; Road PK is 6th at 87.0%
• Wolf (F) is 14th in Rookie Scoring (19G, 17A), 2nd in Rookie PIM's (135), 2nd in Rookie Shooting % (18.3%) and tied for 4th in Rookie Goals (19).
• Poirier (F) is 18th in Rookie Scoring (16G, 18A)
• Agostino (F) is 19th in Rookie Scoring (11G, 23A), tied for 1st for Shorthanded Goals (2) and tied for Shorthanded Points (3)
• Culkin (D) is tied for 4th in Rookie PP Assists (10)
• Hathaway (F) is tied for 4th in Rookie PP Goals (5) and tied for 1st for Rookie Shorthanded Points (2)

Point Streaks and Notables:

• Arnold - 1G, 1A in 3GP
• Acolaste - 5G, 11A in 22GP
• Agostino - 7G, 15A in 21GP
• Cundari - 5G, 13A in 20GP
• Elson - 8G, 4A in 17GP - Injured
• Ferland - 2G in 2 GP - Recalled to Calgary
• Granlund - 9G, 8A in 18GP - Recalled to Calgary
• Hanowski - 4G in 8GP
• Kulak - 1G, 5A in 9GP
• McGrattan - 4A in 6 GP - On Leave
• Morrison - 1G, 3A in 3GP
• Poirier - 1G, 2A in 2GP
• Potter - 5A in 9GP - Recalled to Flames
• Reinhart - 2G, 3A in 3GP
• Wolf - 5G, 5A in 9GP

Injuries:

• Ryan Culkin (Wrist/Tendon Injury) - Injured 02/07. Out for Season. Surgery on 02/10. Starting physical therapy 03/03.
• Joni Ortio (High Ankle Sprain) - Injured 02/20. Out 6-8 weeks. Has begun light skating on own.
• Bryce Van Brabant (Upper Body Injury) - Injured 03/14. Out for Season. Late March Surgery.
• Turner Elson (Head) - Injured 03/25. No timetable for return. Suffered a concussion and laceration on the front and back of his head requiring in excess of 30 stitches.

Preview from the Adirondack Flames :

Preview from the San Antonio Rampage :

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