Falcons Fodder
October 19, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
SETUP: The Springfield Falcons and Bridgeport Sound Tigers will meet for the first time this season and for the 9th time overall in franchise history. The Falcons went 3-4-1-0 against the Sound Tigers last season. These two teams will once again meet eight times during the 2002-03 campaign, four home and four away. Springfield will make their first visit to Bridgeport on Wednesday, November 13th.
The Springfield Falcons will be looking to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat last night handed to them by the Providence Bruins. The Falcons will also be looking for their first win of the 2002-03 season having dropped their first three games. This is the first time in franchise history that the Falcons have gone winless in their first three games to start a season. The Bruins jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead against the Falcons last night getting goals from Darren VanOene at 5:55 and Matt Herr at 7:00 of the first period. Ramzi Abid scored the only goal for Springfield last night on the power play assisted by Darren Rumble and Deron Quint midway through the third period. The Falcons outshot Providence 11-8 in the third period and finished 1-6 on the power play. Patrick DesRochers made 29 saves in goal for the Falcons. Springfield is now 0-2-0-0 against the North Division this season. The Falcons will finish the weekend with a game tonight against Bridgeport, followed by a Sunday afternoon game against Providence at "The Nest." Game time for Sunday is 4:05 PM. After Sunday's game, the Falcons will play five straight road games starting in Manchester on Wednesday, October 23rd. Springfield will head to Winnipeg, Manitoba to battle the Moose next weekend.
Bridgeport enters tonight's game having defeated the Hartford Wolf Pack, 3-1 last night for their first win of the current season. After a scoreless first period, Bridgeport scored one goal in the second and two goals in the third period on their way to victory. All three Bridgeport goals were on the power play and they finished last night 3-7 on the man advantage. Trent Hunter led the Sound Tigers with two goals and Eric Manlow also added one goal and one assist for Bridgeport. Hunter was the game's first star. Goaltender Rick DiPietro made 25 saves between the pipes and was the game's third star. Defenseman Sven Butenschon was the game's second star with two assists. The Sound Tigers will also hit the road next weekend when they travel to St. John's Newfoundland for two games against the Maple Leafs. Including tonight, Bridgeport will play their next three games on the road and five of their next six away from the Arena at Harbor Yard.
BACK WITH THE FALCONS: Springfield Falcons defenseman Deron Quint made his 2002-03 season debut last night in Providence collecting a game-high eight shots on goal and adding one assist. Quint signed with the Phoenix Coyotes and Springfield Falcons on Wednesday after spending the entire 2001-02 season with the Columbus Blue Jackets. This is Quint's second stint with the Coyotes and Falcons. He played in 62 regular season games with Springfield from 1995-1998 registering 37 points. Quint remains 3rd on the Falcons all-time playoff scoring list with 14 points in 22 career post-season games with the Falcons. He was originally the Winnipeg Jets' 1st choice (30th overall) in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.
EARLY LEADER: Falcons left winger, Ramzi Abid leads the Falcons in scoring after three games played. He has two goals and two assists and has collected at least a point in all three Falcons' games this season. Both of Abid's goals this season have come on the power play.
MANLOW LEADING: Bridgeport center, Eric Manlow leads the team in scoring with three goals and three assists for six points in four games played. Manlow is currently only two points shy of the league leaders in scoring. Manlow split the previous two seasons between Providence and Boston. He was originally drafted by the Chicago Black Hawks with their 2nd choice (50th overall) in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft.
THE HUNTER: Bridgeport right wing, Trent Hunter is back with the Sound Tigers after setting career highs in all offensive categories last year with 30 goals and 35 assists for 65 points in 80 games played. Hunter started his pro career with Springfield during the 2000-01 season.
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American Hockey League Stories from October 19, 2002
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- First Win Eludes Griffins - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Flames Release Sullivan from PTO - Saint John Flames
- Worcester Wins on Opening Night - Worcester IceCats
- Aeros edge Ducks in OT - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Bulldogs Remain Perfect - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Phantoms lose 4-1 in Wilkes-Barre - Adirondack Phantoms
- Mighty Ducks Tonight - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Columbus Recalls Walser And Nedorost - Syracuse Crunch
- Falcons Fodder - Springfield Falcons
- Flames vs. Manitoba Moose - Saint John Flames
- Penguins Come Up Short - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
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