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Falcons On The Road This Weekend

October 8, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


This Week's Game Previews

-Friday, October 9, 2009- Springfield Falcons (1-1) at Adirondack Phantoms (0-1):

This will be the first of two meetings this season between the Falcons and Phantoms. The second game will be in Springfield on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 3pm. The Phantoms lost at home in their season opener against the Worcester Sharks 3-2. This is the first year of existence for the Philadelphia Flyer AHL affiliate. The team is located in Glens Falls, NY. Previously the team was located in Philadelphia. Last season the Phantoms won the season series with the Falcons 2-0, winning 4-1 in Philadelphia and 5-2 on the road in Springfield. The Phantoms had a heartbreaking loss to start the season. With 11.3 seconds left in the game, the Sharks scored the winning goal on a power play stunning the Adirondack team. Scoring the goals for the Phantoms were Andreas Nodl and Patrick Maroon. Earning the second star of the game was Maroon. The Phantoms made their debut in Adirondack in front of a sell out crowd of 5,411 at the Glens Falls Civic Center. Before the game there was a ceremonial puck drop by U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. There are four players leading the team in points: Nodl, Maroon, Jonathon Kalinski, and David Laliberte. The starting goalie for the Phantoms is Nic Riopel, who made 26 saves on 29 shots in the first game of the season.

-Saturday, October 10, 2009- Springfield Falcons (1-1) at Hartford Wolf Pack (0-1):

The Wolf Pack and Falcons will play each other 10 times this season, each with five games on their home ice. The game will be Hartford's home opener for the season. Last year, the Falcons were 2-5-3-0 against the Wolf Pack. The Wolf Pack opened up their season last weekend with a 5-3 loss in Binghamton to the Senators. Hartford fell behind in that game 4-0, but battled back to 4-3 before the Senators were able to score another goal to give Hartford their first loss of the season. Corey Locke leads the Wolf Pack with two goals scored and Bobby Sanguinetti leads the team with two assists. Locke earned the third star of the game versus Binghamton. Starting goaltender Matt Zaba has 29 saves on 34 shots so far this season. This game will be sandwiched between two games in Providence over the weekend for the Wolf Pack. The next time the Falcons will play their Atlantic Division rival Wolf Pack will be Saturday, October 17 at 7pm in Springfield.

Last Week's Game Recaps

-Springfield vs. Portland, October 3- W 5-2:

The Springfield Falcons opened their 2009-10 season with an impressive 5-2 home victory over the Portland Pirates on Saturday night in front of 5,267 fans at the MassMutual Center.

Scoring the first goal of the season for the Falcons was Chris Minard early in the first period. The Pirates answered back scoring a goal less than thirty seconds later to even the score 1-1.

It remained tied for most the first period until there was ten seconds left when Falcons left wing Liam Reddox scored to give the Falcons a 2-1 lead going into the second period. Captain Dean Arsene earned his first point as a member of the Falcons assisting on Reddox's goal.

Charles Linglet added another goal for the Falcons to make it a 3-1 game before Portland cut the lead to 3-2 in the second period. Both Pirates goals were scored by Marc-Andre Gragnani.

The Falcons then scored two power play goals by Taylor Chorney and Adam Henrich, to build the lead to 5-2. The Falcons special teams was the difference in the game going 3 for 5 on power play opportunities, while killing the Pirates power play not allowing a goal in six chances.

This was the sixth consecutive season the Falcons opened the season with a win.

-Springfield at Providence, October 4- L 6-2:

Following the opening night win, the Falcons headed to Providence to take on the Bruins. Unfortunately for the Falcons they were unable to spoil the Bruins home opener, losing 6-2. This evened the Falcons record to 1-1.

The Falcons opened the scoring at 7:34 of the first period when Chris Minard scored on the power play. Providence would tie the score less than a minute later when Brad Marchand tallied his first marker of the year at 8:20 of the opening session.

Providence then proceeded to score four more goals to build their lead to 5-1, including Marchand getting his second goal of the game.

Springfield's Ryan O'Marra was able to score a shorthanded goal for the Falcons in the second period to cut the lead to 5-2 going into the final period.

Providence's Jeff LoVecchio added his second goal of the game in the third period to make it a 6-2 lead for the Bruins. Marchand and LoVecchio led the Bruins with two goals each. However, leading the team in points were Trent Whitfield and Andy Wozniewski with three points each.

The Falcons were outshot on the night 49 to 23, including 21 to 6 in the second period.

Player and Team Notes:

The opening night win was the sixth consecutive season the Falcons have opened the season with a win, going back to the 2004-05 season.

Leading the Falcons in points are Taylor Chorney, Charles Linglet, and Chris Minard with three points each. Minard is leading the team in goals with two. Chris Armstrong, Taylor Chorney, and Charles Linglet lead the Falcons in assists with two each.

Getting their first points as Falcons this week were Chris Minard, Alex Plante, Captain Dean Arsene, and Chris Armstrong.

In the home opener, Adam Henrich had his first points as a Falcon since the 2006-07 season.

The Falcons combined to go 14 for 15 on the penalty kill in the two games so far this season. The Falcons are 4 for 10 on power plays in the season thus far.

During the Providence game, Chris Minard scored his 100th career goal in his AHL career. Minard also notched his 400th career point as a professional with his goal on opening night.

Goalie Devan Dubnyk played in his 100th career AHL game on opening night against the Pirates.

On opening night, the Falcons received all three stars of the games. First star went to Liam Reddox, second star to Chris Minard, and third star went to goalie Devan Dubnyk.

Making their Springfield Falcons debuts this weekend were: Chris Armstrong, Dean Arsene, Kip Brennan, Riley Emmerson, Colton Fretter, Ryan MacMucrhy, Chris Minard, Johan Motin, Alex Plante, and Aaron Sorochan.

Goalie Aaron Sorochan made his professional debut against the Bruins in the third period, relieving Devan Dubnyk, saving 11 of 12 shots on goal.

Johan Motin played in his first professional game in North America against Portland this past Saturday as well.

Injury Report:

Falcons' right wing Dylan Stanley and defenseman Theo Peckham missed both games due to injury.

Transactions:

Bryan Young and Riley Emmerson assigned to Stockton Thunder.

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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.

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