Falcons Host Rats Tonight

Published on February 8, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


The Springfield Falcons and Albany River Rats meet for the fifth time this season and third meeting in Springfield. The Falcons are 2-2-0-0 against the River Rats this season, including 1-1-0-0 at the MassMutual Center. Springfield won the first two games between these two teams this season, but Albany has responded and posted victories in the last two games between these two Atlantic Division rivals. Falcons rookie Ryan Vesce has collected one goal and four assists for five points in four games against Albany this season, while forward Marek Kvapil has two goals in three career games against the Rats. Albany right winger Barry Tallackson leads the River Rats in scoring against the Falcons this year with two goals and four assists for six points in three games. Falcons goaltender Gerald Coleman has played in all four games against the Rats this year, while his counterpart Frank Doyle has played in three of the four contests between the pipes for Albany.

The Falcons head into tonight's game having earned a point in three of their last four games posting a record of 1-1-0-2 in that span. Springfield has collected at least a point in their last four home games including two wins and two shootout defeats. The Falcons will begin a busy week tonight as they will head on a three-game road trip starting Friday night in Norfolk when they take on the Admirals in back-to-back games. Springfield will conclude their weekend in Philadelphia on Sunday when they take on the Phantoms for the second time this season.

The River Rats head into tonight's action on a two-game winning streak with road wins over Providence and Lowell last weekend. Albany is continuing a six-game road trip tonight and the River Rats have gone 2-1-0-0 on the trip thus far. The River Rats will conclude their voyage this weekend when they head to Providence on Friday and Wilkes-Barre on Saturday before returning home for five straight games starting on February 15.

FALCONS PLAYER STREAKS: Falcons forward Chris Dingman enters tonight's game on a four-game scoring streak and has collected at least a point in five of his last six contests. Dingman, who was reassigned to the Falcons by their NHL affiliate the Tampa Bay Lightning on December 31st, has six goals and five assists for 11 points in 14 games. Dingman was the game's second star on January 27th when he led Springfield to a 4-3 overtime victory collecting one goal and two assists. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound native of Edmonton, Alberta was a member of the 2004 Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup Championship team.

Springfield defenseman Timo Helbling extended his scoring streak to six games when he scored his fifth goal of the year last Friday night in Manchester. Helbling has four goals and two assists in his last six games and also has collected five goals and six assists for 11 points in 38 games with Springfield this season.

Falcons center Jason Jaspers extended his scoring streak to three games when he collected an assist against Manchester last Friday night. Jaspers has three goals and one assist in his last three games with the Falcons, including a pair of recalls to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Jaspers was the game's first star on January 27 in Portland when he scored his 18th and 19th goals of the season, including the game-winner in overtime. Jaspers continues to lead the Falcons in scoring with 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games played.

ALBANY PLAYER STREAKS: Albany right wing Aleksander Suglobov extended his scoring streak to six games on February 4 against Lowell when he picked up an assist against the Lock Monsters. Suglobov has five goals and three assists for eight points in his last six games and was recalled to the New Jersey Devils from January 13-January 21.

Rookie Nicklas Bergfors also brings a four-game scoring streak into tonight's game having collected four goals and two assists for six points in that span. Right wing Barry Tallackson is also currently on a three-game scoring streak (two goals and one assist).

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American Hockey League Stories from February 8, 2006


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