Falcons Host Monarchs Tonight
Published on October 23, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
The Springfield Falcons and Manchester Monarchs meet for the second time this season when they get together on Saturday night at the MassMutual Center starting at 7 pm. The Falcons beat the Monarchs last Sunday by a score of 3-1 up in Manchester, NH. Trevor Frischmon, Cody Goloubef and Tyler Murovich scored for Springfield in that contest, while goaltender Dan Taylor stopped 34 of 35 shots.
The Falcons enter tonight's game having won two straight games including a 6-2 thrilling win last night at The Nest over the Portland Pirates. After falling behind 2-0, Springfield came racing back and scored six unanswered goals, including five markers in the third period. The Falcons had 13 of their 18 skaters register at least a point, including Chris Francis and Tomas Kubalik netting their first pro goals. Tyler Murovich, Michael Blunden, Maksim Mayorov and Tom Sestito also scored for the Falcons last night. Goaltender David LeNeveu was very steady in goal stopping 25 of 27 shots. The Falcons now have a record of 4-3-0-0 on the season good for eight points and second place in the Atlantic Division.
The Monarchs also won their game last night beating the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 6-3 on home ice. Justin Azevedo, Zach Harnden, Dwight King, David Meckler and Brandon Kozun (2) all scored for Manchester in the victory. The Monarchs improved their record to 3-2-0-1 on the young season and they are in a third-place tie with the Hartford Wolf Pack.
FIRST AS A PRO: Forward Chris Francis scored his first pro goal on Friday night, the eventual game-winning marker in Springfield's 6-2 win. Francis made his pro debut on October 16 at Portland, ME and recorded his first pro point on October 17 at Manchester, NH. Francis led the Western Hockey League's Portland Winterhawks in scoring last year and set career highs in goals (26), assists (56) and points (82). He signed an American Hockey League contract with Springfield/Columbus on June 17, 2010.
Rookie Tomas Kubalik also scored his first pro goal on Friday night against Portland. Kubalik was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the fifth round (135th) overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He finished tied for second on Victoriaville in scoring last year and third in goals in his first junior season in North America. Was second on the team in playoff scoring with 14 points in 16 points.
TIED AT THE TOP: Springfield's Michael Blunden scored his fifth goal of the year last night putting him in a first place tie in the AHL's goal scoring race. Blunden has registered at least a point in five of Springfield's seven games and he has scored in four of the Falcons' seven contests...Tom Sestito's four goals places him in a second place tie for most markers in the AHL. Sestito has four goals and four assists for eight points in seven games and he also has collected at least a point in five of Springfield's seven games. Sestito is also second in the league in penalty minutes.
ROOKIE LEADERS: Three of the top 11 rookie scorers will be in the lineup on Saturday night. Manchester's Brandon Kozun is second in the AHL in rookie scoring with six points (5g,1a), while Springfield's Matt Calvert is eighth in the league in rookie scoring with five points (2g,3a), while David Savard also has five points (0g,5a).
MONARCHS PLAYER NOTES: Manchester forwards Dwight King and Brandon Kozun are tied for the league lead in goals heading into Saturday's action. Kozun is tied for the league lead in goals among rookies and overall he is second in rookie scoring. David Meckler is second on the team in goals, but he leads the Monarchs in scoring with four goals and three assists for seven points in six games.
American Hockey League Stories from October 23, 2010
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- Pens Stop B-sens Bid For Third Straight Win In Shootout - Binghamton Senators
- IceHogs Trip Up Wolves, 4-3, in Overtime - Chicago Wolves
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- Norfolk Hands Devils 3-2 Setback - Albany Devils
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- Portland netminder makes 36 saves, Pirates stay undefeated at home - Bridgeport Islanders
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- Senators Recall Forward Zack Smith from Binghamton - Binghamton Senators
- Wolf Pack Sign Forward Tyler Donati - Connecticut Whale
- Amerks Host Johnson, Griffins Tonight at Blue Cross Arena - Rochester Americans
- Falcons Host Monarchs Tonight - Springfield Falcons
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- Bishop Backstops Peoria to 1-0 Win in Houston - Peoria Rivermen
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