Falcons Game Notes
Published on October 21, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
The Springfield Falcons and Binghamton Senators meet for the first and only time at the MassMutual this season Saturday night at 7:05 PM. The Falcons and Senators will meet only twice this season as the Falcons will travel to Binghamton to conclude the season series on Sunday, February 4.
The Falcons head into tonight's game after playing in their home opener last night against the Manchester Monarchs losing to their Atlantic Division rival 4-2. Springfield received goals from Jared Aulin, his second marker of the year, and Zdenek Blatny. Marek Kvapil, Doug O'Brien, Andy Delmore and Norm Milley all collected assists last night for the Falcons, who will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak tonight. Following tonight's game, Springfield will conclude their weekend on Sunday when they head to Bridgeport to battle the Sound Tigers for the first time this season.
The Senators arrive in Springfield having not played since this past Sunday, October 15 when they suffered a 4-3 shootout loss against the Philadelphia Phantoms. Binghamton is winless in their last four games going 0-2-0-2 in that span. Following tonight's contest, the Senators will conclude their weekend when they head north to Portland to take on the Pirates for a Sunday matinee.
FALCONS DEBUT: Springfield Falcons defenseman Sylvain Dufresne made his Falcons debut last night against the Manchester Monarchs. Dufresne signed a standard American Hockey League contract with the Falcons on August 9, 2006 after spending the 2005-06 campaign with the Rochester Americans. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound native Waterloo, Quebec is in his eighth season of professional hockey and is two games shy of 100 career AHL games.
MEN ON SECOND: Falcons forwards Zdenek Blatny and Jared Aulin scored their second goals of the season last night against Manchester. Blatny has two goals in three games this season for Springfield, while Aulin has two goals and one assist in four games with the Falcons since signing a Professional Tryout Agreement with the Birds on October 6.
LEADER ON DEFENSE: Springfield defenseman Doug O'Brien leads the team in scoring through four games with four assists after collecting a helper last night. O'Brien has collected at least a point in three of the Falcons four games, including a two-assist effort on October 13 at Norfolk. O'Brien is in his third season of professional hockey and third with the Falcons.
O'Brien made his National Hockey League debut last year as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning and he has played in five NHL games overall. In 152 career AHL games, O'Brien has collected 11 goals and 42 assists for 53 points and 148 penalty minutes.
BACK IN SPRINGFIELD: Binghamton forward Ryan Vesce returns to Springfield tonight after spending his rookie season with the Falcons last year. Vesce led Springfield in scoring last year collecting 18 goals and 49 assists for 67 points in 80 games played.
Vesce signed a one-year contract with the Ottawa Senators on July 18, 2006 and has three assists in five games with Binghamton this season. Vesce played his college hockey with Cornell University where he registered 128 career points in 131 games with the Big Red.
A-GOAL-A-GAME: Senators forward Jeff Heerema has collected five goals in five games thus far with Binghamton ranking fifth in the AHL in that category. Heerema is in his second season with the Senators after collecting 27 goals and 47 assists for 74 points in 77 games with Binghamton last year. The 6-foot-2, 212-pound native of Thunder Bay, Ontario is in his seventh season of professional hockey and he has 253 career points in 316 AHL games.
American Hockey League Stories from October 21, 2006
- Rampage lose to Omaha - San Antonio Rampage
- Knights Edge Rampage 4-3 For Fifth Win - Abbotsford Heat
- Griffins Fall 4-3 in Shootout - Grand Rapids Griffins
- P-Bruins Defeated in Overtime - Providence Bruins
- Bulldogs doubled by Rivermen - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Admirals Blank Phantoms - Norfolk Admirals
- Rivermen Special in 4-2 Win in Hamilton - Peoria Rivermen
- Devils edge Sharks, 3-2 - Worcester Sharks
- Bears raise banner but fall to Tigers 3-2 in a shootout - Hershey Bears
- Mole Leads Sound Tigers to Shootout Win - Bridgeport Islanders
- Power play lifts Devils, 3-2 - Albany Devils
- Monarchs Oust Bruins In Overtime - Manchester Monarchs
- Kochan helps Houston to first win - Houston Aeros
- Phantoms fall in Norfolk - Adirondack Phantoms
- Blackhawks Recall Danny Richmond - Norfolk Admirals
- Bears raise Calder Cup banner tonight vs. Bridgeport - Hershey Bears
- Blackhawks recall Brandon Bochenski - Norfolk Admirals
- Falcons Game Notes - Springfield Falcons
- Road trip ends in Grand Rapids - Houston Aeros
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