Falcons Host Monarchs Tonight

Published on November 26, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


GAME SETUP: The Springfield Falcons and Manchester Monarchs meet for the third time this season tonight at the MassMutual Center. It will be the second meeting between these two teams at the MassMutual Center this season. Both games between these two Atlantic Division rivals this year have gone to overtime, including their last meeting being settled in a shootout. The Falcons are 0-0-1-1 against the Monarchs this season with Manchester winning in overtime on October 15, followed by a Monarchs shootout victory on November 10. These two clubs will meet once again next Saturday, December 3 at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

The Falcons head into tonight's action on a two-game winning streak and winners of four of their last five games improving their record to 10-6-1-2 on the season good for 23 points. Springfield is only two points behind second-place Manchester in the Atlantic Division standings. Springfield defeated the Lowell Lock Monsters, 4-3, last night at the Paul Tsongas Arena sweeping their home-and-home series with Lowell. Marek Kvapil scored the game-winner at 13:02 of the third period earning the game's first star. Ryan Craig, Zbynek Hrdel and David Spina also scored for the Falcons. Gerald Coleman improved his record to 7-2-0-0 with the win in goal. Springfield's specialty teams played a key role in the victory last night as Springfield scored three power play goals in four opportunities, while successfully defending four of five shorthanded situations.

Manchester heads into Springfield having defeated the Hartford Wolf Pack, 2-1, last night in a shootout. Jeff Tambellini scored the Monarchs lone regulation time goal, while Lauri Tukonen scored the game-winner on the last shot of the shootout. Goaltender Adam Hauser collected the win between the pipes making 30 saves on the night. Manchester currently has a record of 11-3-0-3 good for 25 points. The Monarchs have seen their last eight games decided by one goal or less and 13 of Manchester's 17 games this season have been one-goal contests.

GAME'S FIRST STAR: Falcons rookie Marek Kvapil scored the game-winner last night for the Falcons, his second straight game collecting a goal. Kvapil now has three goals in his last five games and in 19 games this season, Kvapil now has three goals and seven assists for 10 points. Kvapil scored his first AHL goal on November 18 against Albany and for the month of November, the first year pro has three goals and five assists for eight points in 12 games.

AHL FIRSTS: Falcons forward David Spina, who signed a Professional Tryout Agreement with Springfield on November 15, has two goals and one assist in his last three games. Spina collected his first two AHL points on November 23rd against Lowell, including the game-winning goal, earning the game's first star. The native of Mesa, Arizona is in his first full season of professional hockey after playing the previous four seasons at Boston College.

IMMEDIATE IMPACT: Springfield defenseman Anders Eriksson, who signed a Professional Tryout Agreement with the Falcons on November 21st, has collected three assists in two games with the Falcons, including two helpers last night in Lowell. Eriksson is in his 11th season of professional hockey and is a veteran of 639 professional games.

TOP ROOKIE SCORERS: Manchester rookie Jeff Tambellini continues to lead all AHL rookies in scoring with 14 goals and nine assists for 23 points in 16 games. Falcons rookie Ryan Vesce is only two points behind Tambellini in the rookie scoring race. Tambellini also leads Manchester in goals and points this season. Tambellini is in his first season of professional hockey after spending the previous three years with the University of Michigan. Tambellini led the Wolverines in scoring last year with 24 goals and 33 assists for 57 points in 42 games and was selected by the Los Angeles Kings with their first choice (27th overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

STILL PRODUCING: Manchester veteran right winger Brad Smyth is second on the team in scoring with seven goals and 14 assists for 21 points in 17 games played. Smyth is in his 13th professional season and second campaign with the Monarchs.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 26, 2005


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