Falcons Host Norfolk Tonight
Published on February 25, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
The Springfield Falcons will host the Norfolk Admirals on Saturday night for the second and final time this season at the MassMutual Center. The Admirals won the last two games against the Falcons in Norfolk - 5-2 on February 10 and 3-1 the following night on February 11. Left wing Zdenek Blatny made his Falcons debut on February 10, scoring both of Springfield's goals. Fellow left wing Travis Brigley scored Springfield's only goal the following night. Carl Corazzini, Shawn Thornton, Quintin Laing and Martin St. Pierre all scored goals for the Admirals in the first of two games while Eric Meloche, Mark Cullen, and Pavel Vorobiev tallied the goals in the last game against Springfield. Norfolk leads the season series 2-1.
The Falcons traveled to Hartford to take on the Wolf Pack last night and once again played their Atlantic Division rival to a one-goal decision. Jason Jaspers scored for Springfield with only 7.7-seconds left in the game, while Zdenek Blatny and Nick Tarnasky also tallied for Springfield. Springfield goalie Gerald Coleman earned the second star of the game with his 54 saves. Right wing Marek Kvapil had two assists against the Wolf Pack last night, bringing him up to 30 points for the season. Springfield is now 19-29-2-6 for the season and have collected at least a point in six of their last eight home games.
Norfolk was in Providence last night for a 4-2 win against the Bruins. Pavel Vorobiev, Matt Keith, Jason Morgan and Colin Fraser all tallied for the Admirals while goaltender Corey Crawford stopped 36 shots. Vorobiev and Morgan earned the first and second stars of the game, respectively. Norfolk is now 29-20-2-4 for the season and 14-7-1-3 on the road, winning two of their last five games. They continue to reside in fourth place in the AHL's East Division and seventh in the Eastern Conference, just three points behind the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
FALCONS POINT COLLECTORS: Falcons center Jason Jaspers has earned eight points in his last seven games. The native of Thunder Bay, Ontario played his 300th AHL game on Friday, February 17, collecting three assists. He continues to lead the Falcons in scoring with 20 goals and 31 assists for 51 points in 53 games played. Jaspers is second on the team in games played, just behind Ryan Vesce, who has played in 56 games this season. Vesce, who hails from Lloyd Harbor, New York, has recorded 12 goals and 31 assists for 43 points with the Falcons this season.
EVEN MATCHUP: Falcons forwards Dan Cavanaugh, Jason Jaspers, and defenseman Doug O'Brien each have three assists for three points against the Admirals this season while Norfolk right wings Shawn Thornton and Carl Corazzini also have three points each against Springfield. In the first matchup between the two teams this season, Falcons left wing Mitch Fritz scored two goals in Springfield's 5-2 win at the MassMutual Center.
A FEW "POINTERS" FROM NORFOLK: James Wisniewski has had an assist in each of his last three games. The 5-foot-11 200-pound defenseman is now fourth for the Admirals in assists for the season and tied for fifth for points (5g, 24a, 29p). He is also the team's leading defenseman in points. Center Martin St. Pierre has earned five points in his last five games, including a three-assist game on February 22 in the Admirals' 4-3 shootout loss in Albany. The 5-foot-9 180-pound Embrun, Ontario native is second on the team with 50 points (16g, 34a) and fifth in the league for rookie scoring.
SHOT STOPPER: Admirals goaltender Corey Crawford has won five of his last seven games, including last night's win in Providence. The 6-foot-2 181-pound Montréal, Quebec native stopped 172 shots in that time frame. He now has a 2.76 GAA and a .897 save percentage in 33 games played this season. He played in two games this season for the Admirals' NHL affiliate, the Chicago Blackhawks. When it comes to taking on Springfield, Crawford has only allowed six goals this season for a 2.35 GAA and a .895 save percentage, earning him both wins and the one loss against the Falcons.
American Hockey League Stories from February 25, 2006
- Aeros Top Admirals 3-1 - Milwaukee Admirals
- Harding's 40 stops push Houston's first-place lead to four points - Houston Aeros
- Barons Winning Streak Ends at Two - Cleveland Barons
- Griffins defeat Crunch - Grand Rapids Griffins
- P-Bruins Fall in Shootout to Monarchs 4-3 - Providence Bruins
- Phantoms score late, down Bears in a shootout 2-1 - Hershey Bears
- 'Dogs Down Sens in Shootout - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Manchester Prevails In Shootout At Providence - Manchester Monarchs
- Rookie Makes 37 Saves; Phantoms Win Third Straight - Adirondack Phantoms
- Admirals Prey on Springfield Penalties - Norfolk Admirals
- First-place showdown in Milwaukee - Houston Aeros
- Falcons Host Norfolk Tonight - Springfield Falcons
- Knights Sneak Past Americans, 3-2 - Abbotsford Heat
- Barons fly away from Rivermen with 4-2 win - Peoria Rivermen
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