The Springfield Falcons and Manchester Monarchs meet for the fourth time this season when they get together on Saturday night at the MassMutual Center to conclude a home-and-home series this holiday weekend. The Falcons are 1-2 against the Monarchs this season after travelling to Manchester, NH last night and dropping a 4-2 decision at the Verizon Wireless Arena. Manchester used four first period goals to take control of the game early, but the Falcons responded cutting their deficit to 4-2 midway through the third period and outshooting Manchester 31-28.Bryan Lerg and Viacheslav Trukhno each scored their third goals of the year last night for the Falcons, while goaltender Aaron Sorochan made his fourth career start stopping 24 of 28 shots. Manchester used goals from Drew Bagnall, Patrick Mullen, Marc-Andre Cliché and Gabe Gauthier in their victory Friday night. The home team has won all three meetings between these two teams this year with Springfield winning at The Nest by a score of 4-1 back on October 16.
The season series thus far between these two teams has been highlighted by stretches of streaky scoring by both teams. In the first game of the season series, Springfield used three goals in 57-seconds in the second period to erase a 1-0 deficit and lead them to a 4-1 win on home ice. In the second meeting, Manchester scored twice in the first four minutes of action, including a pair of goals just 1:49 apart to set the tone for a 6-1 win. Last night, the Monarchs used four goals in just under nine minutes in the opening frame, including their first two markers just 20-seconds apart on their way to a 4-2 win.
The line of Colton Fretter (6g, 6a), Chad Wiseman (5g, 6a) and Charles Linglet (2g, 6a) has combined for 13 goals, 18 assists and 31 points over the last nine games for the Falcons. Fretter has scored a goal in four of his last five games, including a pair of markers on Wednesday night against Worcester. Wiseman has points in seven of his last nine contests, while Linglet has registered at least a point in 10 of his last 13 contests. Linglet continues to lead the Falcons in scoring and he is third in the AHL in points with 24 in 22 games.
McDONALD AND O'MARRA HEAD UP: The Falcons announced Thursday that forwards Colin McDonald and Ryan O'Marra have been recalled by their National Hockey League affiliate, the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers also loaned forward Liam Reddox back to the Falcons.
This is O'Marra's second recall to Edmonton this year as he made his NHL debut as a member of the Oilers on November 10, 2009 at Ottawa. In 21 games with the Falcons this year, he has collected five goals and three assists for eight points and 20 penalty minutes. O'Marra had scored a goal in three of his last four games prior to his recall to Edmonton.
This is McDonald's first recall to Edmonton in his three-year professional career and he made his NHL debut last night against the San Jose Sharks. The Hartford, Connecticut native has five goals and four assists for nine points and 12 penalty minutes in 21 games with Springfield this year. McDonald spent the previous two seasons with the Falcons collecting 22 goals and 23 assists for 55 points in 150 games during his first two pro campaigns.
Reddox started the season with Springfield and has registered three goals and one assist for four points and four penalty minutes in 14 games. Reddox has also appeared in nine games with the Oilers this year picking up two assists and four penalty minutes.
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