Sports stats



Falcons play back-to-back road games this weekend

November 29, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


THIS WEEK'S GAME PREVIEWS

--FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2OO5 AT PROVIDENCE BRUINS--

The Springfield Falcons will travel to Providence to take on the Bruins for the second time this season. The first time these two teams met was on October 22 when the Bruins defeated the Falcons, 8-2. Norm Milley recorded both goals in the loss for the Falcons. In the match-up, the Falcons out shot the Bruins 30-27. Brian Eklund started in net for the Falcons, but was replaced by Gerald Coleman during the game. Both goalies allowed four goals. Eric Healey had a hat trick for the Bruins while Eric Nickulas and Nathan Robinson each had two goals. Jeremy Reich scored for the Bruins as well. The Bruins are currently 7-8-1-1 with 16 points in the Atlantic Division, seven points behind the Falcons, who are tied for fourth with a record of 10-8-1-2. The Bruins recently lost in a shootout to the second place Manchester Monarchs on Sunday, November 27. The game ended 4-3 with Providence goals from Tyler Redenbach (2) and Nathan Robinson. Redenbach is currently ranked 6th in rookie scoring this season with eight goals and 10 assists for 18 points in 17 games. Healey leads the team in scoring with seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points in 15 games. Providence goaltenders Jordan Sigalet and Tim Thomas have shared the duties between the pipes. Sigalet has a record of 4-3-1 with a 2.54 goals against average and .897 save percentage, while Thomas has a record of 3-6-0 with a 2.80 goals against average and .910 save percentage.

--SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2005 AT MANCHESTER MONARCHS--

The Falcons will play the Monarchs for the fourth time this season and second meeting in Manchester. The Falcons were defeated by the Monarchs 6-3 in their last match up on November 26 at the MassMutual Center. Mitch Fritz, David Spina and Ryan Vesce each recorded a goal for the Falcons in the game. The Falcons out shot the Monarchs 40-26 during the game. Yanick Lehoux and Konstantin Pushkarev each scored two goals for the Monarchs while Jeff Guiliano and Matt Ryan each netted one. Brian Eklund was in net for the Falcons and finished the game with 20 saves. Yutaka Fukufugi had his first start for the Monarchs that game and finished with 37 saves. The Monarchs recently defeated the Bruins in a shootout on Sunday, November 27. The Monarchs won the shootout with goals from Noah Clarke, Brad Smyth and Lehoux. Manchester Rookie Jeff Tambellini and Falcons rookie Ryan Vesce both remain tied for the AHL rookie scoring lead with 25 points each. Manchester has a record of 13-3-0-3 good for 29 points and the Monarchs have earned a point in nine straight games.

--SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2005 VS. ALBANY RIVER RATS-

The Falcons will wrap up their weekend play by hosting the Albany River Rats for the second time this season. Springfield beat Albany in their last meeting, 5-3, on November 18 at the MassMutual Center. Norm Milley led the offensive attack with a pair of goals. Springfield is 2-0 against Albany this year, including a 4-3 win on November 2 at the Pepsi Arena. Albany has a record of 6-13-0-1 through 20 games. Aleksander Suglobov leads the Rats in scoring with eight goals and eight assists for 16 points in 18 games played.

LAST WEEK'S GAME RECAPS

---Game 1 - Lowell at Springfield, November 23 - W 4-3 ---

The Falcons defeated the Lock Monsters, 4-3, to start off the holiday weekend. Doug O'Brien, David Spina, Marek Kvapil and Dennis Packard all scored for the Falcons in the win. Spina also earned an assist, his first two AHL points. The Falcons had a two-goal lead after the first period and had a four-goal advantage before the Lock Monsters put a goal on the board. David Gove and Brad Richardson scored in the second while Colin Forbes scored the only goal in the third period. Gerald Coleman was in net for the Falcons and finished the game with 34 saves. Lowell's Kevin Nastiuk had 24 saves on the night.

---Game 2 - Springfield at Lowell, November 25 - W 4-3 ---

The Falcons traveled to Lowell on Friday and defeated the Lock Monsters for the second time in three days. Zbynek Hrdel, Ryan Craig, David Spina and Marek Kvapil each scored for the Falcons in the win. Kvapil's game-winner came at the 13-minute mark in the third period. Kvapil earned the game's first star for his efforts and Hrdel was named the third star. Steve Saviano, Colin Forbes and Keith Aucion each scored for the Lock Monsters. Gerald Coleman earned another win for the Falcons with 35 saves and Lowell's Vitaly Kolesnik finished the game with 27 saves.

---Game 3 - Manchester at Springfield, November 26 - L 6-3 ---

Manchester traveled to Springfield for the second time this season. The Monarchs defeated the Falcons, 6-3. Mitch Fritz, David Spina and Ryan Vesce each scored for the Falcons. Vesce's goal tied the game at 3-3 at 15:03 in the second period. However, the Monarchs were able to score three more before the game ended. Brian Eklund was in net for the Falcons and finished with 20 saves. The Falcons out shot the Monarchs 40-26. Yutaka Fukufugi was in net for the Monarchs and recorded his first win with 37 saves.

---Game 4 - Portland at Springfield, November 27 - L 5-4 ---

The Pirates made their return to the MassMutual Center on Sunday and defeated the Falcons, 5-4. The Falcons took an early lead with a goal from Marek Kvapil at the 14-minute mark in the first period. Jason Jaspers gave the Falcons a 2-0 lead with his goal at the 19-minute mark in the first period. Portland tied the game at 2-2 after five minutes of play in the third period on a power play goal. The Pirates took the lead just 45 seconds later. Jason Jaspers scored a power play goal and David Spina scored his fourth goal in four games to tie the game at 4-4 late in regulation. Portland's Colin Glencross scored his second goal of the game and the game-winner two minutes later. Gerald Coleman finished the game with 22 saves and took his first loss since arriving back in Springfield from Tampa Bay on November 14.

PLAYER NOTABLES:

- Ryan Vesce scored six points in four games for the Falcons starting Nov. 23 and ending Nov. 27.

- Ryan Vesce leads the team in scoring with 25 points.

- David Spina scored four goals in four games for the Falcons last week.

- Marek Kvapil scored three goals and recorded one assist in the last four games for the Falcons.

- Norm Milley ranks eighth in the league in power play goals with seven in 21 games.

TEAM NOTES:

- The Falcons wrap up November with a monthly record of 6-6-0-2.

- To date, 19 active Falcons players have recorded a point.

- The Falcons have a road record of 5-1-1-1 so far this season.

INJURY REPORT

Falcons forwards Steve McLaren and Jim Campbell missed games due to injury. Darren Reid missed six games due to personal reasons.

TRANSACTIONS

11-21-05: Falcons sign Anders Eriksson to Professional Tryout Agreement 11-28-05: Falcons sign David Spina to an American Hockey League contract.

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:

Sunday, December 4, 2005 vs. Albany

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 won two games this weekend to move their record to 4-7-4. Johnstown defeated the Trenton Titans on November 25, 5-1. Justin Kelly, J.B. Bittner and Randy Rowe each netted a goal and an assist. Morgan Cey was in net for the Chiefs and had 30 saves. Paul Caponigri and Brett Peterson each added a goal in the win. The Chiefs defeated the Wheeling Nailers, 4-3, for the first time this season on November 26. This game was also the team's first overtime victory. Adam Henrich scored the game winner at the three-minute mark in overtime. Justin Kelly, J.B. Bittner and Joe Tallari each scored in the win. Jonathan Boutin was in net for the Chiefs and finished with 34 saves. His record moves to 2-3-1 on the season for the Chiefs. The Chiefs will start a six-game stint on the West Coast. They will start their road trip on November 29 in Las Vegas and end on December 6 in Las Vegas. Their next home game will be on December 9 when they will face Reading.

WEEK IN REVIEW

NOVEMBER 23 Springfield 4, Lowell 3 at Springfield

NOVEMBER 25 Springfield 4, Lowell 3 at Lowell

NOVEMBER 26 Manchester 6, Springfield 3 at Springfield

NOVEMBER 27 Portland 5, Springfield 4 at Springfield

THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE

DECEMBER 2 Springfield at Providence Bruins 7:05 PM at Dunkin' Donuts Center

DECEMBER 3 Springfield at Manchester Monarchs 7:35 PM at Verizon Wireless Arena

DECEMBER 4 Springfield vs. Albany River Rats 4:05 PM at MassMutual Center

*Radio Broadcasts on WMAS 1450AM

*Watch Live on the B-2 Network

• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...

American Hockey League Stories from November 29, 2005


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.

Other Recent Springfield Falcons Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central