Falcons Host Bruins Tonight
Published on April 8, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
The Springfield Falcons and the Providence Bruins meet for the 11th time this season tonight at the MassMutual Center beginning a home-and-home series which concludes on Sunday at the Dunkin Donuts Center. The Falcons enter tonight's game having defeated the Manchester Monarchs last night at the MassMutual Center, 7-4, sweeping their home-and-home series with the Monarchs. The Falcons offense exploded in the second period last night erupting for four goals erasing a 4-3 deficit late in the middle period.
The Falcons had five players record multiple point games last night led by left wing David Spina, who earned the game's first star with two goals and one assist. Center Jason Jaspers was the game's second star with two goals, followed by rookie Ryan Vesce, who earned the game's third star with one goal and two assists. Right wing Norm Milley collected three assists giving him five points in his last two games, while Marek Kvapil also chipped in with a pair of assists. Goaltender Gerald Coleman collected the win in goal making 25 saves.
The Bruins enter tonight's game having defeated the Albany River Rats last night, 3-2 at the Dunkin Donuts Center. Providence used third period goals from Kris Versteeg and Pascal Pelletier to earn the one-goal victory. Providence goaltender Derek Gustafson collected the win in goal stopping 27 of the 29 shots he faced.
CAREER HIGH: Falcons center Jason Jaspers continues to lead Springfield in scoring with 28 goals and 35 assists for 63 points in 72 games played. Jaspers has set a new career high in goals and points in a season. Jaspers in his fifth season of professional hockey and the Thunder Bay, Ontario native has 198 career points in 323 career American Hockey League games.
NUMBER ONE STAR: Falcons left wing David Spina earned the game's first star last night with two goals and one assist improving his season totals to 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in 49 games played. Spina is in his first full season of professional hockey after spending four seasons with the Boston College Eagles from 2001-2005. In 138 career games with the Eagles, he registered 49 goals and 54 assists for 103 points. Spina made his professional debut last season playing in nine games with the Utah Grizzlies (AHL).
FIRST AHL GOAL: Falcons rookie right wing Kevin Croxton scored his first American Hockey League goal last night in the first period against Manchester. Croxton signed an Amateur Tryout Agreement with Springfield on March 24. Croxton recently finished his collegiate career with RPI University where he was team captain during his senior season. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound native of Calgary, Alberta collected 14 goals and 25 assists for 39 points in 31 games this year with RPI. Croxton led RPI in scoring the last three seasons.
In Croxton's four seasons with RPI, he finished his collegiate career with 57 goals and 86 assists for 143 points in 147 career games. Croxton was an ECAC Second-Team All-Star in 2004 was a member of the ECAC All-Rookie Team in 2003.
O'BRIEN BACK WITH FALCONS: The Springfield Falcons announced Tuesday that defenseman Doug O'Brien was reassigned to Springfield by their NHL affiliate, the Tampa Bay Lightning. O'Brien scored his seventh goal of the season last night, while recording a +2 rating. O'Brien was recalled by the Lightning on March 26 and appeared in three games with Tampa Bay bringing his season totals to five games played with the Lightning this year.
O'Brien made his NHL debut on January 29 against the Washington Capitals. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound native of St. John's, Newfoundland has six goals and 24 assists this season in 68 games with the Falcons. He currently leads all Springfield defensemen in points this year.
IN THE NET: Providence goaltender Derek Gustafson improved his record to 4-1-2 last night making 27 saves in Providence's 3-2 victory. Gustafson signed a Professional Tryout Agreement with the Bruins on March 22, 2006 after starting the season with the United Hockey League's Adirondack Frostbite and has a 1.82 goals against average and .933 save percentage since joining Providence. In 34 games with the Frostbite this season, the Gresham, Oregon native posted a record of 22-7-4 with a 2.94 goals against average and .901 save percentage. Gustafson was a teammate of Springfield's Dan Cavanaugh while with the Houston Aeros from 2001-2003. Gustafson was named to the AHL All-Star Team during the 2002-03 campaign.
American Hockey League Stories from April 8, 2006
- Rivermen lance Knights 5-1 - Peoria Rivermen
- San Antonio loses to Milwaukee - San Antonio Rampage
- Norfolk swaps out four players - Norfolk Admirals
- Griffins defeat Crunch, 6-0 - Grand Rapids Griffins
- 4-1 Win Over Chicago, Gives Iowa Three Point Lead Over Omaha - Iowa Chops
- Monarchs Shutout River Rats - Manchester Monarchs
- Admirals defeat Bears 2-1 - Norfolk Admirals
- Barons Fall in Home Finale, 3-2 - Cleveland Barons
- Griffins to face Toronto in opening round - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Takes 4-2 Victory - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Lapierre, Lemieux Lead 'Dogs Past Barons - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Lowell wins 2-1 as Aucoin sets the record in Portland - Albany Devils
- Magic Number Down To Two - Bridgeport Islanders
- Lapierre, Lemieux Lead 'Dogs Past Barons - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Hampton Roads celebs produce score-fest at Scope - Norfolk Admirals
- Barons announce MVP and Rookie of the Year - Cleveland Barons
- Pirates announce schedule for first round of Calder Cup playoffs - Portland Pirates
- Watch the Rivermen Take on Omaha This Weekend on the B2 Networks - Peoria Rivermen
- P-Bruins Announce 2006 Calder Cup Playoff Scenarios - Providence Bruins
- Bears fall to Phantoms, 5-4, in overtime - Hershey Bears
- Falcons Host Bruins Tonight - Springfield Falcons
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