Falcons Host Sharks Tonight
Published on January 13, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
The Springfield Falcons and Worcester Sharks get together tonight for the sixth time this season and third meeting at the MassMutual Center. The Falcons have posted a record of 3-2-0-0 against the Sharks this season, including a mark of 1-1 on home ice. These two teams haven't met at the MassMutual Center since November 25 with Worcester winning on that night, 5-2, scoring five third period goals. The last meeting between these two intra-state rivals was back on January 3 with Worcester prevailing 5-3 over Springfield. The Falcons won the first meeting of the season on November 4 by a score of 3-2, followed by wins of 4-1 on November 24 and 3-0 on December 9. The Sharks will head back to Springfield next Saturday, January 20, with the Falcons next visit to Worcester on February 28.
Forward Eric Healey leads the Birds in scoring against the Sharks this season with three goals and six assists for nine points in five games, while AHL All-Star Mathieu Darche leads Worcester in scoring against Springfield this season with two goals and three assists for five points in five games. Springfield center Daniel Corso has chipped in with one goal and five assists for six points in four games against Worcester, while Sharks forward Mike Iggulden leads Worcester in goals against Springfield in the season series with three.
The Falcons head into tonight's game looking to snap a three-game losing streak and overall, Springfield has started the 2007 calendar year with a record of 1-4-0-0. Springfield lost to the Providence Bruins, 3-2, Friday night at the MassMutual Center dropping their record to 20-19-0-1 through 40 games. Falcons left wing David Spina opened the scoring with a power play goal last night, but Providence responded with three unanswered goals building a 3-1 after 40 minutes of play. Defenseman Doug O'Brien pulled the Falcons within a single goal with 1:56 remaining in regulation, but the Bruins held on for the win. Springfield will continue their three-game homestand through the holiday weekend tonight and will conclude their three-game in four-day stretch on Monday afternoon against the Manchester Monarchs. Tonight is the Falcons seventh straight game against an Atlantic Division opponent and following today's game, the Falcons will play their next six games against Atlantic Division foes.
The Sharks invade "The Nest" having not played since this past Sunday when they lost to the Hartford Wolf Pack, 2-1, despite outshooting the Pack 36-23. Worcester has lost their last two games after winning three straight games from December 30 - January 5. The Sharks have a record of 16-15-1-5 through 37 games and are currently in seventh place in the very tight Atlantic Division. Worcester is only one point behind both Providence and Lowell and only three points behind the Falcons. The Sharks have posted a mark of 9-7-0-3 on the road this season and starting tonight, Worcester will play three games in three days as they head to Portland on Sunday and Lowell on Monday. Tonight is Worcester's 15th consecutive game against an Atlantic Division team and following tonight's contest, the Sharks will play their next five games within the division.
SPINA STEPPING UP: Falcons forward David Spina scored his fourth goal of the season and added one assist last night earning the game's second star against Providence. Spina has collected at least a point in four straight games registering two goals and four assists in that span. The Mesa, Arizona native has been playing with center Daniel Corso and Eric Healey in the absence of Falcons captain Norm Milley.
STREAK EXTENDED: Falcons veteran forward Eric Healey extended his scoring streak to five straight games with a pair of assists Friday night against Providence. Healey has three goals and seven assists for 10 points in his last five games and leads Springfield in scoring with 17 goals and 30 assists for 47 points in 40 games played.
AHL ALL-STAR: Worcester left wing Mathieu Darche was named to the Canadian AHL All-Star Team earlier this week and will participate in the 2007 AHL All-Star Weekend from January 28-29 in Toronto, Ontario. Darche continues to lead Worcester in scoring with 24 goals and 19 assists for 43 points in 37 games and the 6-foot-1, 210-pound native of Montreal, Quebec is ranked fourth in the AHL in goals this season. Darche has registered at least a point in four of his last six games.
American Hockey League Stories from January 13, 2007
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- Bulldogs rebound to beat Wolves - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Rivermen Fall to Milwaukee 3-2 at Home - Peoria Rivermen
- Furious rally nets point for Houston - Houston Aeros
- Knights Edge Aeros In Shootout, 5-4 - Abbotsford Heat
- Bruins bury B-Sens 8-1 - Binghamton Senators
- Griffins Prevail 4-3 in Shootout Over AHL's Top Team - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Griffins Community Events - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Sound Tigers Beat Bears For Third Straight Win - Bridgeport Islanders
- Penguins coaches to lead PlanetUSA at 2007 Rbk Hockey AHL All-Star Classic - AHL
- Sound Tigers too much for beat-up Bears Saturday - Hershey Bears
- In-House Radio Feed Changes to 90.1 FM - Peoria Rivermen
- Sanford Returns to Blues; Schwarz Back to Peoria - Peoria Rivermen
- Wolves Shuffle Blueline - Chicago Wolves
- Admirals Game Pushed Back to 7:30 - Milwaukee Admirals
- Houston in Omaha tonight - Houston Aeros
- Rooneem recalled - Houston Aeros
- Falcons Host Sharks Tonight - Springfield Falcons
- Bears conclude five-game road trip Saturday - Hershey Bears
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