Falcons Fodder
December 20, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
SETUP: The Springfield Falcons and Binghamton Senators will meet for the 2nd time this season and 2nd meeting in Springfield. The Falcons won the first ever game between these two teams,
3-0 on November 30th. Shane Willis, Peter Fabus, and Boyd Kane scored for the Falcons, while goaltender Evgeny Konstantinov recorded his first pro shutout in the win. Binghamton will head back to Springfield next Friday, December 27th. Springfield first visit to Binghamton this season will be on Saturday, January 11th.
The Falcons head into tonight's game looking to rebound from a 4-1 loss suffered Wednesday night in Albany. The Rats jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period and never looked back as Albany goaltender, Scott Clemmensen make 38 saves in the victory. Nikita Alexeev scored the lone goal for the Falcons on the power play late in the second period. The Falcons remain red hot at home having won eight of their last nine games at "The Nest," and are 10-6-0 overall on home ice. The 10 home wins is 2nd in the American Hockey League in that category behind only Providence and Utah, who both have 11. Including tonight, Springfield will have two games remaining before a Christmas Break that will start on Sunday, December 22nd. The Falcons wrap up their weekend with a game in Syracuse on Saturday night, and then they will be off until they host Binghamton on Friday, December 27th. Springfield currently has a record of 14-16-1-0 good for 29 points and a tie for 4th place in the East Division, one point behind the Senators.
Binghamton enters tonight's game having defeated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, 5-4 on Tuesday night. The Senators jumped out to a 5-0 lead in that game with goals from Brian McGrattan, David Hymovitz, Jason Spezza, Toni Dahlman, and Dennis Bonvie. The Penguins answered with four third period goals to cut the deficit to 5-4, including a power play goal by rookie Matt Murley. Binghamton will play three games in three days this weekend as they return home to host Portland on Saturday and Lowell on Sunday. The Senators will also host Syracuse the day after Christmas before heading back to Springfield next Friday. Binghamton has won four of their last five games only allowing 13 goals in that span. The Senators are 2nd in the Eastern Conference in goals against allowing 69 goals in 27 games.
WELCOME BACK PATTY: The Springfield Falcons welcomed back goaltender Patrick DesRochers on Wednesday night in Albany after he was reassigned to Springfield on Monday. DesRochers made 35 saves in his first game with the Falcons since October 20th. DesRochers was recalled by the Phoenix Coyotes on October 23rd and played in four games with the Coyotes this season. He is the Falcons all-time leader in games played by a goaltender with 141. The Falcons also announced Monday that goaltender Zac Bierk has been recalled by Phoenix and Colin Zulianello was reassigned to Augusta of the East Coast Hockey League.
300 PRO GAMES: Falcons center, Jason Bonsignore played in his 300th career pro game on Wednesday night in Albany. Bonsignore has played in 18 games for the Falcons this season collecting five goals and nine assists for 14 points. He is currently 4th on the team in scoring and 3rd in power play goals with four. Bonsignore originally signed a PTO contract on October 28th, but was signed by the Phoenix Coyotes earlier this month.
YOUNG GUN: Senators rookie, Jason Spezza scored his 4th goal of the season and added one assist this past Tuesday bringing his season totals to four goals and seven assists for 11 points in nine games played with Binghamton. Spezza has also played in 17 games with Ottawa this season collecting four goals and six assists for 10 points. He registered his first NHL point on October 24th against Boston and scored his first NHL goal on October 31st at Philadelphia. Spezza was Ottawa's 1st choice (2nd overall) in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.
TOP GOALTENDER: Binghamton goaltender, Ray Emery has played in 20 of the Senators' 27 games this season collecting a record of 10-8-2 with a 2.31 goals against average and .922 save percentage. He is 8th in the AHL in goals against average and 2nd in shutouts with three.
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