Falcons Host Wolf Pack Tonight
Published on March 10, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
The Springfield Falcons will host the Hartford Wolf Pack on Friday night in the seventh meeting between these two Atlantic Division rivals sponsored by the YMCA of Greater Springfield. The Falcons are 1-1-0-1 at home against Hartford this season and 2-3-0-1 for the year. These two teams last met back on Friday, February 24 with the Falcons dropping a 4-3 decision. Springfield received goals from Zdenek Blatny, Nick Tarnasky and Jason Jaspers, while Hartford collected markers from Lee Falardeau, Jarkko Immonen and two from Dwight Helminen. Falcons goaltender Gerald Coleman tied a franchise record stopping 54 shots on goal that night, while Hartford netminder Robert Gherson stopped 28 of 31 shots on goal.
The Falcons traveled to Albany on Wednesday night to take on the River Rats. Despite three power play goals for Springfield, the River Rats earned the 5-3 victory. Zdenek Blatny earned three points in the game (2g, 1a), including an unassisted power play goal, and earned the second star of the game. Forward Ryan Vesce collected two points (1g, 1a). Jonathan Boutin stopped 27 shots between the pipes.
Hartford hosted the Portland Pirates Wednesday night for a 5-1 home loss for the Wolf Pack. Dwight Helminen scored the lone goal for Hartford, assisted by Nigel Dawes. The Wolf Pack is now four points away from the division-leading Pirates with a record of 37-17-2-6 for the season.
MILLEY BACK WITH THE FALCONS: The Falcons announced Thursday that forward Norm Milley has been reassigned to the Falcons by their National Hockey League affiliate, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Milley was originally recalled by the Lightning on January 3, 2006 and recorded two goals and one assist in 14 games with Tampa Bay this year. Milley scored his first NHL goal January 17 at the Los Angeles Kings, and scored his second goal February 4 against the Washington Capitals. Milley is in his sixth season of professional hockey and at the time of his recall, he was second on the Falcons in scoring with 12 goals and 19 assists for 31 points in 34 games played.
FALCONS FLIP-FLOP: Both Nick Tarnasky and right wing Darren Reid were recalled by the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, March 5. In return, Springfield recalled forward Zbynek Hrdel on Wednesday, March 8 after spending eight games with the Falcons' ECHL affiliate, the Johnstown Chiefs. Hrdel has split this season between Springfield and Johnstown and in 33 games with the Falcons, Hrdel has four goals and eight assists for 12 points.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: In six meetings with the Hartford so far this season, Jason Jaspers has scored six goals against the Wolf Pack. Alexandre Giroux, Dwight Helminen, and Colby Genoway each have three goals against the Falcons this season.
LEADERS OF THE PACK: In his last five games, Alexandre Giroux has collected five goals and five assists for 10 points. The 6-foot-3 191-pound Quebec native is ranked tenth in the league for goals with 29 in 57 games and first in the league for shorthanded goals with six for the season. Jarkko Immonen has tallied 14 points (3g, 11a) in his last ten games. The 6-foot 209-pound center continues to lead Hartford in assists and points and is ranked 15th in the league for scoring with 28 goals and 33 assists for 61 points.
BETWEEN THE PIPES: Hartford goalie Robert Gherson has a .899 save percentage and a 2.88 goals against average since arriving in Hartford from Manitoba on November 22, 2005. His season numbers include a 2.80 goals against average and a .901 save percentage. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Toronto, Ontario native has a 1.89 goals against average against the Falcons this season. Fellow goaltender Al Montoya has a 19-5-1 record with a 2.55 goals against average and a .910 save percentage this year. Netminder Chris Holt was recalled from Hartford's ECHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, on Friday. Holt has played in eight games for the Wolf Pack this season posting a 2-2-1 record with a 4.39 goals against average and .874 save percentage. In 18 games with Charlotte this year, Holt has a record of 6-8-1 with a 3.84 goals against average and .893 save percentage.
American Hockey League Stories from March 10, 2006
- Kanko Scores Game-Winner In Overtime For Monarchs - Manchester Monarchs
- Morgan's three points lead Admirals past Bridgeport - Norfolk Admirals
- Admirals Top Cleveland 6-3 - Milwaukee Admirals
- Barons Defeated at Milwaukee, 6-3 - Cleveland Barons
- Halak leads 'Dogs to Victory - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Sound Tigers Drop Weekend Opener 4-2 In Norfolk - Bridgeport Islanders
- P-Bruins Defeat Lock Monsters 4-1 - Providence Bruins
- Pirates edge Bears 3-2 in overtime at Portland - Hershey Bears
- Bruins take down Lock Monsters, 4-1 - Albany Devils
- Phantoms Ride Four Power Play Goals To 6-3 Win - Adirondack Phantoms
- Atlanta Calls for Backup - Chicago Wolves
- Norfolk Adds Two PTOs - Norfolk Admirals
- Nasreddine Recalled by Pittsburgh - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Ak-Sar-Ben Knights Add Kersten To Front Office Staff - Abbotsford Heat
- Bears in Portland tonight with a shot at first place - Hershey Bears
- Sound Tigers and Islanders Make Moves - Bridgeport Islanders
- Canucks Re-Assign Ouellet to Moose - Manitoba Moose
- Griffins add two to front office - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Francisco Is Healthy, Released From Tryout - Manchester Monarchs
- Danis returns to Bulldogs - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Lebda assigned by Red Wings - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Holt assigned to Wolf Pack - Connecticut Whale
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
- Blackhawks recall Mark Cullen from Norfolk - Norfolk Admirals
- B2 Networks AHL Game of the Week - AHL
- Falcons Host Wolf Pack Tonight - Springfield Falcons
- Stars win, just one point from final playoff spot - Iowa Chops
- 'Dogs begin three-game homestand tonight - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton gets three from Pittsburgh - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- P-Bruins, Dunkin' Donuts Announce Jersey Auction - Providence Bruins
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
