Columbus Blue Jackets Head to NHL Prosect Tournament Championship
September 16, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
Springfield, Mass. - The Columbus Blue Jackets Prospects are heading to the NHL Prospect Tournament Championship Game against the Dallas Stars tonight at 7 p.m. at the Center Ice Arena in Traverse City, Michigan.
The Blue Jackets defeated the Minnesota Wild, Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues prospects to earn a 3-0-0 record and a spot in the championship. The Blue Jackets will face the Stars, who also hold a 3-0-0 record in the tournament. Columbus has participated in the Traverse City Tournament for 13 straight years, winning the championship in 2006 and 2007.
In Game 1 against the Wild, the Jackets battled through multiple lead changes to take their first victory of the tournament. Each of Columbus' 2013 first-round picks - Alexander Wennberg, Kerby Rychel and Marko Dano - contributed at least one goal to the 6-4 effort. Wennberg and Rychel each scored once, with Dano lighting the lamp twice. Blue Jackets right winger Oliver Bjorkstrand and center TJ Tynan also assisted with one goal each. In addition, Rychel picked up points for three assists.
Game 2 pinned the Blue Jackets against the Red Wings. Despite a slow start, Columbus rallied past Detroit, 5-3. The game was highlighted by two goals by Josh Anderson and one each by Dano, Peter Quenneville and Markus Soberg.
The first two victories earned the team six points in the tournament, automatically advancing them to the final round before playing their third preliminary game.
The Blue Jackets faced the St. Louis Blues prospects in their final preliminary game on Monday afternoon, topping them 7-2 and solidifying their spot in the championship. Bjorkstrand contributed two goals, while Anderson, Dillon Heatherington, Nick Moutrey, Quenneville and Rychel each added one to the tally.
The Blue Jackets rookies are coached by Springfield Falcons Head Coach Jared Bednar, Assistant Coaches Nolan Pratt and Toby Petersen and Goalie Coach Manny Legace along with Blue Jackets Development Coach Chris Clark.
Following the Traverse City Tournament, the rookies will report to Columbus, where they will join veterans for the club's training camp opening on Sept. 18. At training camp, players will undergo medical and fitness testing along with on-ice workouts. Players assigned to the Falcons will report to training camp at the MassMutual Center starting Sept. 28. This camp will not be open to the public.
The Springfield Falcons kick-off the 2014-15 season with a visit to the Syracuse Crunch Oct. 11 and Oct. 17 before returning to the MassMutual Center for the home opener against the Hershey Bears on Oct. 18. Ticket packages are on sale now. To reserve your seats, call (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visit the team office inside the MassMutual Center on Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For all the latest Falcons information and updates, follow the back-to-back Northeast Division Champions at www.falconsahl.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/falconsahl and on Twitter (@TheFalconsAHL) using #SPRFalcons!
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from September 16, 2014
- Phantoms Shine in Flyers Rookie Game Triumph - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Lightning Announce Training Camp Roster - Syracuse Crunch
- Admirals Set First Phase of Promotional Schedule - Milwaukee Admirals
- 64 Players to Attend Canadiens Training Camp - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Griffins Unveil Website Redesign - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Jets Re-Assign Six Players from Training Camp - St. John's IceCaps
- Falcons to Host Fan Fest on October 1 at MassMutual Center - Springfield Falcons
- Baldwinsville Bees and Cicero-North Syracuse Northstars to Participate in Toyota Frozen Dome Classic - Syracuse Crunch
- Columbus Blue Jackets Head to NHL Prosect Tournament Championship - Springfield Falcons
- Winnipeg Jets Jets Announce 2014 Training Camp Schedule - St. John's IceCaps
- 2014-15 Norfolk Admirals Promotional Schedule Unveiled - Norfolk Admirals
- Coyotes Announce 2014-15 Veterans Training Camp Schedule - Portland Pirates
- Wolf Pack Announce 2014-15 Promotional Schedule, Tickets on Sale Date - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Albany Devils Release 2014-15 Broadcast Schedule - Albany Devils
- Iowa Wild Single Game Tickets on Sale Now - Iowa Wild
- Only 500 Tickets Left for Prime Time NHL Pre-Season Game - St. John's IceCaps
- Florida Panthers to Open Training Camp on September 18 - San Antonio Rampage
- IceCaps Care Applications Being Accepted for 2014-15 - St. John's IceCaps
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
