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By PATRICK WiLLIAMS
Special to the Times Leader
Friday, March 14, 2003 Page: 3C
WILKES-BARRE TWP. – Martin Sonnenberg reintroduced himself Wednesday
night in his return with the visiting Saint John Flames to the fans he calls
the “classiest” in the American Hockey League.
“I was excited to come back and play in this rink. It was a good feeling,”
Sonnenberg said of his return.
Sonnenberg was his usual self for the visiting Flames, doing a little bit
of everything. His goal in the second period gave the Flames some breathing
room in a 2-0 victory against the Penguins. He exchanged jabs with Penguins
defenseman Brooks Orpik in front of the net and generally made his presence
felt.
Saint John head coach Ron Wilson had Sonnenberg in the starting lineup as
well.
The 25-year-old left wing signed with the Calgary organization last summer
after four seasons as a Pittsburgh farmhand.
Sonnenberg was Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s second-leading scorer in 2001-02,
going 20-30-50 in 78 games. In 213 regular season games with
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, he scored 54 goals and added 81 assists to go with 325
penalty minutes.
“To play against (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton) was bittersweet,” Sonnenberg said.
“I had a lot of great memories. It was a team that really boosted my
career.
“Playing in front of the fans, it was good. That (the fans) is the biggest
draw to Wilkes-Barre. I respect the fans.”
Adjusting to the Flames was a struggle early. Sonnenberg missed 19 games
after suffering a knee injury in late November. His team struggled in his
absence, going 5-11-2-1 in a mid-season swoon that the Flames have been
working to dig out of ever since.
The Flames’ defense-first approach was a change for Sonnenberg after three
seasons with the more freewheeling approach of Penguins coach Glenn Patrick.
“It was a big adjustment. It’s a simple system,” Sonnenberg said. “It’s
tough to get used to after playing a wide-open system.”
Sonnenberg has prospered off the ice as well. He and his wife, Jackie,
welcomed their first child, a daughter, on Feb. 27.