Falcons host pair of games this weekend
Published on December 5, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
THIS WEEK'S GAME PREVIEWS
--WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2005 AT LOWELL LOCK MONSTERS--
The Falcons will travel to Lowell for the second time this season for a mid-week game against the Lock Monsters. This will be the third matchup between the two teams this season. The Falcons have won the last two meetings. These two teams last met on November 25 with the Falcons defeating the Lock Monsters, 5-3. Marek Kvapil scored the game-winner with seven minutes left to play in the game. Zbynek Hrdel, Ryan Craig and David Spina each had a goal for Springfield. Steve Saviano, Colin Forbes and Keith Aucoin each recorded a goal for the Monsters. Lowell is coming off a 3-0 loss to the Providence Bruins on Sunday, December 3. Vitaly Kolesnik had 29 saves for the Monsters. Lowell's Keith Aucoin ranks sixth in the league for scoring. He has 29 points (10 g, 19 a) in 23 games.
--FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2005 VS. HARTFORD WOLF PACK-
The Falcons will host the Wolf Pack for the third time this season. The last time these two teams met was on November 6 when the Wolf Pack defeated the Falcons 5-3 at the MassMutual Center. Jason Jaspers, Jim Campbell and Ryan Craig each netted a goal for the Falcons. Gerald Coleman was in net for the Falcons and recorded 24 saves. Colby Genoway had two goals for the Wolf Pack in the match up. Nigel Dawes, Dale Purinton and Alexandre Giroux each added one goal for the Wolf Pack. The Falcons lead the season series this year at 2-1. The Wolf Pack is 12-6-2-3 and are two points ahead of the Falcons in the Atlantic Division standings. The Wolf Pack recently defeated the Binghamton Senators, 5-3, on the road. Martin Grenier is eighth in the league with 92 PIM in 21 games.
--SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2005 VS. MANCHESTER MONARCHS--
The Falcons will play the Monarchs for the fifth time this season and third meeting in Springfield. The two teams met on December 3 when the Falcons defeated the Monarchs in overtime 1-0. Jim Campbell scored the lone goal of the game for the Falcons' victory. Ryan Craig was awarded the assist. Goaltender Gerald Coleman earned his first professional shutout with 26 saves. Manchester's Adam Hauser finished the game with 24 saves. The Falcons are now 1-1-1-1 against the Monarchs this season with three of the four games going into overtime. The Monarchs are in first place in the Atlantic Division and have a record of 15-4-1-3. The Monarchs most recently lost, 3-2, to the Portland Pirates. Connor James and Brad Smyth each scored for the Monarchs in the loss, it was Smyth's 300th career AHL goal. Manchester's Jeff Tambellini ranks 12th in the league for scoring with 25 points (14 g, 11 a) in 18 games. Manchester has three players ranked among the top ten in the league for plus/minus. Smyth is in third place with a ranking of + 14 in 23 games while Richard Petiot is fifth ( + 12 in 19 games) and Tambellini is eighth with + 11 in 18 games.
--SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2OO5 AT PROVIDENCE BRUINS--
The Springfield Falcons will travel to Providence to take on the Bruins for the third time this season. The last time these two teams met was on December 2 when the Falcons defeated the Bruins, 4-3 in Providence. Darren Reid scored the game-winning goal late in the second period. Norm Milley started the scoring for the Falcons with his tenth of the season. Andre Deveaux gave the Falcons a 2-0 lead 15 seconds later. Deveaux's goal was his first of the season. Nate Thompson scored the Bruins' first goal of the game in the first period. Ryan Craig netted another goal in the second period to give the Falcons a 3-1 lead. Eric Nickulas and Ben Guite each scored to tie the game, but Reid's goal gave the Falcons the 4-3 win. Gerald Coleman had 29 saves in net for the Falcons while Providence's Jordan Sigalet and Tim Thomas combined for 12 saves. The Falcons and Bruins are now 1-1 against each other this season. Providence's Tyler Redenbach ranks eighth in the league for scoring among rookies with 19 points ( 8 g, 11 a) in 20 games.
LAST WEEK'S GAME RECAPS
---Game 1 - Springfield at Providence, December 2 - W 4-3 ---
The Falcons traveled to Providence for the first time this season and defeated the Bruins, 4-3. Norm Milley, Andre Deveaux, Ryan Craig and Darren Reid each netted a goal for the Falcons. Reid scored the game-winner during the second period for the Falcons' victory. Deveaux's goal was his first of the season. Gerald Coleman was in goal for the Falcons and finished with 29 saves. Jordan Sigalet and Tim Thomas shared time between the pipes for Providence and combined for 12 saves.
---Game 2 - Springfield at Manchester, December 3 - W 1-0---
The Falcons defeated the Monarchs in overtime on Saturday, December 3. The game marked the third overtime win for the Falcons this season. Jim Campbell scored the game-winner less than a minute into the overtime session. He was assisted by Ryan Craig. Gerald Coleman had 26 saves and recorded his first professional shutout. Manchester's Adam Hauser had 24 saves.
---Game 3 - Albany at Springfield, December 4 - L 6-2 ---
The Falcons ended the weekend with a 6-2 loss to Albany at the MassMutual Center. Andre Deveaux and Norm Milley each scored for the Falcons. Gerald Coleman had 22 saves for the Falcons. Matt DeMarchi, Bobby Allen, Aleksander Suglobov, Peter Vrana, Barry Tallackson and Nicklas Bergfors each scored for Albany.
PLAYER / TEAM NOTES:
-The Falcons are off to their best start in franchise history on the road posting an impressive 7-1-1-1 record through 10 road games this season, compared to 1-7-1-1 through their first 10 road games last season. Only Wilkes-Barre has fewer road losses this season. Springfield tied a franchise record on Saturday night when they won their fourth straight road game. The Falcons also won four straight road games from March 3, 1997-April 12, 1997.
-Jim Campbell returned to the Falcons lineup on December 2 after missing seven games due to injury.
-Ryan Craig was the only Falcon to post points in all three games this weekend. Craig had two assists and one goal including an assist on the game-winning goal in Manchester on Saturday night.
-Goaltender Gerald Coleman recorded the first professional shutout of his career in the Falcons' 1-0 overtime victory at Manchester earning the game's first star. Coleman also made his first professional start in Manchester on October 15.
-Andre Deveaux scored his first two goals on the season this weekend. He scored for the Falcons against the River Rats on Sunday and the Bruins on Friday.
-Ryan Vesce remains 7th in the league for scoring. He has 27 points (7 g, 20 a) in 24 games for the Falcons. He netted two assists for the Falcons during the week of Nov. 28.
-Ryan Vesce ranks first among rookies for scoring in the league. He has 27 points (7 g, 20 a) in 24 games.
-Rookie Ryan Vesce is ranked second in the league for assists with 20 in 24 games for the Falcons.
INJURY REPORT
Falcons forward Steve McLaren missed games due to injury.
COMMUNITY
FRIENDLY'S FAMILY FUN NIGHTS RETURN - The Springfield Falcons are pleased to announce Family Fun Nights at Friendly's. Falcons' players and Screech will be meeting with fans at area Friendly's restaurants. A portion of the event's sales will benefit Springfield Falcons Charities, Inc, the Official Charity of the Springfield Falcons. The dates are as follows:
Monday, December 12 430 Cooley St., Springfield, MA - Players TBD
SPRINGFIELD SLIDERS HOCKEY TEAM HITS THE ICE! - Starting Tuesday, October 18th, Assistant Coach Phil Russell and players will be attending the Springfield Sliders Sled Hockey Practice at Amelia Park in Westfield from 6-7 p.m. every Tuesday. The Sliders Hockey Team is a program through Shriners Hospital that allows children with orthopedic issues the opportunity to experience the game of hockey.
SOUPY'S KITCHEN CUPBOARD - #10 Jim Campbell, whose nickname is "Soupy," is proud to announce a unique food collection program for the 2005-06 season. The program which is called "Soupy's Kitchen Cupboard" encourages fans to bring a canned good or non-perishable food item to any Falcons home game. Those who donate will receive a raffle ticket to win autographed items from Campbell and the rest of the Falcons. One lucky grand prize winner will receive lunch with Campbell in March. Campbell will donate all food to local area food banks.
TEDDY BEAR TOSS - Teddy Bear Pools and Spas is proud to sponsor the 2nd annual Teddy Bear Toss on Saturday, Dec. 10 against Manchester. Bring a bear and throw it on the ice during the first intermission. All bears will be donated to the American Red Cross Emergency Services.
HOLIDAY TOY COLLECTION - Kraft is once again sponsoring the Falcons Toy Collection to be collected at the Community Relations table behind Section 31 at the following Falcons games:
Friday, December 9, 2005 vs. Hartford
Saturday, December 10, 2005 vs. Manchester
Friday, Decemeber 16, 2005 vs. Portland
HOLIDAY GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE - The Springfield Falcons would like to remind fans that Holiday Gift Certificates remain on sale through the Falcons Office. Flex Packs also remain available for the 2005-06 season and can be purchased by calling 413-739-3344.
ON THE FARM - JOHNSTOWN CHIEFS
The Chiefs are finishing up a six-game West Coast road trip and are turning around their season. The Chiefs have gone 2-1-0-2 so far during the trip and will play Las Vegas on Tuesday night before heading home. The Falcons started the trip with two shootout losses to Las Vegas and Bakersfield last Tuesday and Wednesday. The team got their first win of the trip when they defeated Fresno in a shootout, 3-2. Justin Kelly and Steve Cygan each scored during regulation for the Chiefs. Cygan also scored the game-winner in the sixth round of the shootout. The goals were his first and second of the season. The Chiefs won another shootout against San Diego on Sunday. Brady Greco and Dmitiri Tabarin each had shorthanded goals. Joe Tallarini and Justin Kelly each contributed power play goals. The game moved goaltender Morgan Cey to 4-1-2 on the season.
WEEK IN REVIEW
DECEMBER 2 Springfield 4, Providence 3
DECEMBER 3 Springfield 1, Manchester 0 (OT)
DECEMBER 4 Albany 6, Springfield 2
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE
DECEMBER 7 Springfield at Lowell Lock Monsters 7:05 PM at Paul Tsongas Arena
DECEMBER 9 Springfield vs. Hartford Wolf Pack 7:35 PM at MassMutual Center
DECEMBER 10 Springfield vs. Manchester Monarchs 7:05 PM at MassMutual Center
DECEMBER 11 Springfield at Providence Bruins 4:05 PM at Dunkin' Donuts Center
*Radio Broadcasts on WMAS 1450AM
*Watch Live on the B-2 Network
American Hockey League Stories from December 5, 2005
- P-Bruins set for three-game week - Providence Bruins
- Rivermen Weekly - Peoria Rivermen
- Stars go 2-0-0-1 last week - Iowa Chops
- Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights Weekly Report - Abbotsford Heat
- Griffins winning at the gate as well - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Knights Announce New Ticket Pricing For Children, Students - Abbotsford Heat
- Lower Bowl Sold Out - Come Celebrate New Year's Eve with the Moose - Manitoba Moose
- "Cool Fun 101" This Wednesday Morning - Bridgeport Islanders
- AHL announces suspension - AHL
- Smith reassigned by Edmonton - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Falcons host pair of games this weekend - Springfield Falcons
- Stealth Aeros on top in the West - AHL
- Phantoms Weekly - Adirondack Phantoms
- Perry named CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week - Portland Pirates
- Shutouts Galore - Albany Devils
- Wolves Weekly Notes - Chicago Wolves
- Binghamton Senators Weekly - Binghamton Senators
- Canucks re-assign McVicar and Balej to Manitoba - Manitoba Moose
- Pirates' Perry named CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week - AHL
- Moose Sign Winnipeg native to PTO - Manitoba Moose
- River Rats migrate south - Albany River Rats
- Overwhelming Response to Rivermen Teddy Bear Toss - Peoria Rivermen
- Houston returns to site of Calder Cup clincher on Saturday - Houston Aeros
- Bulldogs look to end skid - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Cleveland Barons Weekly Report - Cleveland Barons
- Iowa Stars D-man recalled - Iowa Chops
- A Beech-y keen week - Milwaukee Admirals
- Wolf Pack Weekly - Connecticut Whale
- Chiodo re-assigned to Wheeling - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Crunch Extend Winning Streak with Road Wins - Syracuse Crunch
- Admirals weekly - Norfolk Admirals
- Babchuk recalled - Norfolk Admirals
- Moose Re-Assign DeMone to Columbia - Manitoba Moose
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