Falcons drop a pair in Norfolk

Published on October 18, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


THIS WEEK'S GAME PREVIEWS

--FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2006 VS MANCHESTER MONARCHS--

The Springfield Falcons host the Manchester Monarchs in their Season Home Opener this Friday at the MassMutual Center. Manchester

(1-2-0-0) is tied for fourth place in the Atlantic Division with two points. Like the Falcons, the Monarchs are currently 1-2, having been recently defeated by both the Providence Bruins and Portland Pirates. The Pirates took a 3-0 lead on the Monarchs this past Sunday, but Manchester rallied for a pair of goals and ended up one goal short losing 5-4. Manchester was shutout by Providence on Saturday 1-0. Manchester Left wing Noah Clarke started a comeback for the Monarchs against the Pirates with two power play goals in the second period putting him at three power play goals for the season, ranking second in the AHL in that category. Manchester Defenseman Eric Werner earned three assists Sunday against Portland. Goaltender Jason LaBarbera ranks among the leading goaltenders in the league with a 2.42 goals against average and a .925 save percentage. The Falcons and Monarchs will compete nine more times after this weekend's opener, with the Monarchs returning to Springfield on November 11.

--SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2006 VS BINGHAMTON SENATORS--

The Binghamton Senators (1-2-0-2, 4 pts) come to Springfield this Saturday to play the Falcons in the Birds' second home game of the season. The Senators went winless in three straight games last weekend, including two shootout losses on the road. The Senators relinquished a third period lead, and lost in a shootout to the Philadelphia Phantoms at Wachovia Center on Sunday night 4-3. Binghamton's Jeff Heerema ranks among the league's top goal scorers with five in the past five games. He also ranks first with the most shots (27). Goaltender for the Senators, Kelly Guard, ranks among the league's best with a 1.63 goals against average and a .934 save percentage. Binghamton is 0-1 within their division and 1-1 outside the division. Springfield and Binghamton will meet once more after this weekend in New York on February 4.

--SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2006 AT BRIDGEPORT SOUND TIGERS--

The Falcons complete their first three games in three days stretch of contests when they travel to Bridgeport, CT on Sunday for a matinee against the Sound Tigers. Bridgeport is 2-1-0-0 on the young season, including a 4-1 loss against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this past Saturday. Bridgeport did beat the Hartford Wolf Pack last Friday, 6-3, at the Hartford Civic Center. Bridgeport rookie Blake Comeau leads all AHL rookies in scoring thus far with two goals and seven assists for nine points in three games played, which is also tied for the league lead in scoring.

Sunday's game will be the Falcons only visit to Bridgeport this season.

LAST WEEK'S GAME RECAPS

--SPRINGFIELD at NORFOLK, OCTOBER 13 - L 3-6--

The Springfield Falcons played hard Friday night at Norfolk's Scope Arena, but were not able to defeat the Admirals, who won 6-3. The two teams combined for eight power play goals, three for the Falcons and five for the Admirals. The Admirals took an early 2-0 first period lead when Carl Corazzini scored a pair of power play markers at 4:16 and 12:45 to bring the intensity to the start of the game. The Falcons responded before the first period concluded when Eric Healey converted on the man advantage at 15:05 of the opening session. Late in the second period, the Falcons erased their early two-goal deficit when Healey scored again on the power play tying the score at 2-2. In the third period, the penalties and power plays continued as Zdenek Blatny scored on the man advantage at 6:13 giving the Falcons their first lead of the night, but it would disappear shortly. Following a Mike Egener double-minor for holding and unsportsmanlike conduct at 8:37 of the final period, Norfolk scored three goals in 1:26 erasing a 3-2 deficit, and taking a 5-3 lead.

--SPRINGFIELD at NORFOLK, OCTOBER 14 - L 1-8--

Springfield let up the pressure in their second effort of the weekend against Norfolk, dropping eight goals to lose 8-1. For the second straight night, the Norfolk Admirals took an early lead on the Falcons as Dustin Byfuglien scored just 1:02 into the first period and Carl

Corazzini scored just 14-seconds later giving Norfolk an early 2-0 advantage. Norfolk built a 4-0 lead when Martin St. Pierre scored on the power play at 8:48, followed by an even strength goal by Michael Blunden at 12:11.

Veteran goaltender Sean Burke started Saturday night, but was replaced by Karri Ramo in the first period after allowing four goals on seven shots. Jared Aulin cut the Falcons deficit to 4-1 when he scored his first marker of the year, but Norfolk's Troy Brouwer extended the

Admirals advantage to 5-1 at 16:36 of the first period.

In the second period, Brouwer added his second goal of the game at 13:28 giving Norfolk a five-goal lead. The weekend leaves the Falcons with a record of 1-2.

PLAYER NOTES:

Springfield Falcons rookie goaltender Karri Ramo made his professional debut in Friday night's game against Norfolk. Ramo managed to stop

28 of the 34 shots he faced. Jared Aulin earned points in two consecutive games over the weekend against Norfolk with an assist in Friday night's game and the lone goal in Saturday's game, which was also his first of the season. Eric Healey scored his first and second goals of the season during Friday's meeting and Zdenek Blatny scored his first goal of the year as well on Friday.

INJURY REPORT

No players are currently injured.

TRANSACTIONS

No recent transactions.

ON THE FARM - JOHNSTOWN CHIEFS

The Johnstown Chiefs fell 5-4 to the Wheeling Nailers in their opening preseason game Friday October 13, but dominated in the second game on Saturday, winning 5-3. Friday's game was played in Wheeling and Saturday's game was held at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown. The Chiefs remain home against the Pensacola Ice Pilots Saturday, October 21 and find themselves in Trenton to play the Titans on

Sunday, October 22.

OUT AND ABOUT IN THE COMMUNITY

Family Fun Nights at Friendly's Return: Friendly Ice Cream is proud to announce "Family Fun Nights at Friendly's" to benefit Springfield Falcons Charities, Inc. Falcons players and Screech meet and greet fans at area Friendly's Restaurants throughout the Pioneer Valley. Falcons rights wings David Spina and Justin Keller will make an appearance at the Allen and Cooley Friendly's. Log on to www.falconsahl.com for a finalized schedule to be announced next week.

GAME NIGHT PROMOTIONS

WWE Superstar Mick Foley will be the Falcons special guest for their home game on Saturday, October 21st against the Binghamton

Senators. As part of this special evening, Foley will drop the ceremonial first puck, as well as sign autographs and meet with fans during the game. Foley has more than 20 years of wrestling experience and has also been a New York Times Bestseller Author.

The New England Patriots Cheerleaders will also be in attendance for the Falcons home opener on Friday, October 20.

WEEK IN REVIEW

OCTOBER 13 Springfield-3 at Norfolk-6 (Goal scorers - Healey, Blatny)

OCTOBER 14 Springfield-1 at Norfolk-8 (Goal scorers - Aulin)

THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE

OCTOBER 20 Manchester at Springfield 7:35 PM MassMutual Center

OCTOBER 21 Binghamton at Springfield 7:05 PM MassMutual Center

*Radio Broadcasts on The Zone 640 AM

*Watch Live on the B-2 Network

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American Hockey League Stories from October 18, 2006


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