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Falcons Host Monarchs Tonight

March 16, 2007 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


The Springfield Falcons and Manchester Monarchs meet for the eighth time this season when they face-off at the MassMutual Center on Friday night presented by the Air Force. Friday evening will be Manchester's fourth visit to "The Nest" this season and their first visit to Springfield since January 15. Springfield has gone 1-6 against Manchester this season, including 0-3 on home ice. The Falcons' lone win against the Monarchs this year occurred back on December 1 when Springfield captain Norm Milley's goal in overtime proved to be the game-winner. The Falcons and Monarchs haven't played each other since Sunday, February 11 when Manchester's Kevin Dallman added a pair of third period goals in leading the Monarchs to a 3-2 victory. These two Atlantic Division rivals will conclude their season series playing twice during the final week of the regular season with Springfield heading to Manchester on Wednesday, April 11, followed by the Monarchs returning to the MassMutual Center on Friday, April 13.

Falcons captain Norm Milley leads the Birds in scoring against the Monarchs this year with three goals and four assists for seven points in six games. Goaltender Jonathan Boutin has played in four of the six contests against Manchester this season posting a mark of 1-2 with a 2.45 goals against average and .912 save percentage.

Manchester left wing Matt Moulson leads the Monarchs in scoring against the Falcons this season with three goals and four assists for seven points in seven games played. Monarchs defenseman T.J. Kemp has recorded six assists in seven games against the Birds this season, while netminder Jason LaBarbera has posted a mark of 5-1 with a 1.82 goals against average and .940 save percentage against Springfield during the 2006-07 campaign.

The Falcons return to action tonight after losing to the Lowell Devils 3-1 on Wednesday night at the Paul Tsongas Arena. Norm Milley scored the Falcons' lone goal, while goaltender Karri Ramo was once again steady between the pipes making 37 saves. Springfield will play a pair of home games this weekend hosting Manchester tonight, and the Hartford Wolf Pack on Saturday evening. After this weekend, the Falcons will hit the road for a pair of road games next week when they head to Hershey on Wednesday, March 21 and Philadelphia on Friday, March 23.

Manchester is looking to snap a two-game losing streak tonight after falling to the Worcester Sharks by a score of 3-1 last Saturday, and also losing to the Hershey Bears, 5-3, on Friday night. The Monarchs remain in first place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 39-18-6-1 good for 85 points. Manchester has allowed the least amount of goals in the American Hockey League with only 148 goals against in 64 games. The Monarchs continue their four-game road trip tonight as they head to Providence following today's game to battle the Bruins on Sunday afternoon.

FALCONS PLAYER TRANSACTIONS: The Falcons announced Thursday they have signed center Dusty Collins to a standard Amateur Tryout Agreement contract. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Collins recently finished his four-year collegiate career with Northern Michigan University collecting 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points in 137 games played. The Gilbert, Arizona native was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the fifth round (163rd overall) in the 2004 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

Also on Thursday, the Falcons announced that defenseman Matt Smaby was recalled by Springfield's National Hockey League affiliate, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Smaby will join the Bolts in Tampa for their game tonight against the Buffalo Sabres. In return, the Lightning reassigned forward Kyle Wanvig back to the Falcons after Wanvig played in four games for Tampa Bay this season. In 11 games with Springfield, Wanvig has three goals and two assists for five points, including a hat trick on Saturday, February 10 against Hartford.

To complete a busy Thursday full of transactions, the Falcons also announced that goaltender Ryan Munce has been recalled from Springfield's ECHL affiliate, the Johnstown Chiefs. Munce started the season with the Los Angeles Kings organization before being acquired by Tampa Bay on January 20, 2007 in exchange for a fourth round selection at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Munce was originally selected by the L.A. Kings in the 3rd round (82nd overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

MONARCHS TEAM NOTES: Manchester rookie Matt Moulson is currently 14th in the league in rookie scoring with 18 goals and 24 assists for 42 points in 63 games played. Moulson is currently the Monarchs active leading scorer and the Mississauga, Ontario native is in his first pro season after playing his college hockey with Cornell University. Moulson has two goals and one assist for three points in his last two games, and the rookie has also picked up a point in six of his last seven contests collecting five goals and four assists for nine points in that span.

Teammate Marty Murray has averaged a point a game since joining the Monarchs on January 19, 2007. Murray has seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points in 21 games and the Debraine, Manitoba native was claimed by the L.A. Kings off waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers on November 11, 2006.

Goaltender Jason LaBarbera is having an MVP-type season as the Burnaby, British Columbia native has posted a record of 33-18-1 this season with a 2.20 goals against average and .934 save percentage. LaBarbera is currently fifth in the league in goals against average, first in save percentage, and tied for the AHL lead in wins. LaBarbera also leads the league with seven shutouts this season.



American Hockey League Stories from March 16, 2007


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