Falcons play first of back-to-back games versus Bridgeport tonight

Published on February 11, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, MA – The Springfield Falcons (15-27-5-2, 37 pts) return from the all-star break to begin a home-and-home series against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in Connecticut tonight. The Sound Tigers will visit The Nest on Saturday evening. The two encounters constitute the only meetings of the regular season between the clubs. Earlier this season, the Sound Tigers strung together a 20-game unbeaten streak - the longest in the AHL since the 1995-96 campaign. The Falcons will host the Albany River Rats at the Civic Center on Sunday.

The Falcons split a pair of home contests last weekend as the team completed a four-game homestand. On Friday night, Jean-Marc Pelletier made 31 saves to blank the Manchester Monarchs in a 4-0 Springfield win in the goaltender's last appearance before being called up to the Phoenix Coyotes yesterday. The tables were turned on the Falcons on Saturday evening as Hartford netminder Jason LaBarbera tied an AHL record with his ninth shutout of the season in a 2-0 Wolf Pack victory.

Week in Review (1-1-0-0):

Falcons – 4 vs. Manchester – 0

Friday, February 6

Center Erik Westrum scored two goals and forward Chris Ferraro registered three points (1g, 2a) as the Falcons snapped a three-game losing streak. Pelletier earned his second shutout of the season and 16th of his professional career as 15 of his 31 saves came in the third period. Rookie left wing Frantisek Lukes netted his third goal of the season to open scoring midway through the first period. Springfield improved their season record to 3-2-0-0 against the Monarchs with the win.

SOG: 34 SOGA: 31 PP: 2-for-6 PK: 5-for-5

Falcons – 0 vs. Hartford – 2

Saturday, February 7

LaBarbera stopped each of the Falcons' 29 shots to collect his ninth shutout of the campaign and match the single season AHL record. The Wolf Pack netminder's feat equals those of J.F. Labbe (2001-02 with Syracuse) and Gordie Bell (1942-43 with Buffalo). Falcons goaltender David LeNeveu turned aside 31 of 33 shots including a third-period breakaway by Hartford right wing Paul Healey. AHL All-Star forward Chad Wiseman and defenseman Bryce Lampman provided scoring for the Wolf Pack while center Cory Larose registered two assists. The Falcons will next host the Wolf Pack at The Nest on Wednesday, February 18.

SOG: 29 SOGA: 33 PP: 0-for-7 PK: 7-for-8

Team Notes: Westrum has registered five points (4g, 1a) over the Falcons' last six contests. The Minneapolis native has scored goals in three of the last five games.... Defenseman Bryan Helmer made his debut for the Falcons in Friday's win versus Manchester. The 31-year-old collected an assist in the contest. Helmer missed the first 47 games on the Falcons' schedule due to an injury suffered in training camp with the Phoenix Coyotes.... Pelletier's save percentage (SV%) of .927 in 30 appearances with the Falcons this season eclipses the franchise record (min. 25 games) of .917 set by Manny Legace in 1995-96. Pelletier recorded a SV% of .926 after joining Springfield midway through last season, but his 24 appearances were one shy of the requirement for a team record. LeNeveu has registered a .921 SV% in 22 games this season.... On Friday, the Falcons scored two power-play goals in a game for the first time since November 8th (4-3 loss at Hartford)..... Scott Dickie, who was called up by the Falcons on Tuesday, was also named the United Hockey League's Goaltender of the Week. The rookie netminder stopped 92 of 95 shots (.968 SV%) while collecting a 1-0-1 record and 1.13 GAA in three appearances for the Adirondack IceHawks last week.... Falcons left wing Trevor Gillies, who received penalties for fighting in both Falcons' games over the weekend, leads the AHL with 24 major penalties this season.... Following tonight's game in Bridgeport, the Falcons will play seven of their next eight contests on the home ice of The Nest.

Roster Update: Dickie was called up by the Falcons from Adirondack and Pelletier was recalled from the club by Phoenix on Tuesday.... The Falcons recalled left wing Darren McLachlan from Adirondack on Saturday. On Sunday, the forward was reassigned to Adirondack where he scored the game-winning goal in the IceHawks' 3-2 win over the Elmira Jackals that afternoon.... Right wing Frank Banham left the Falcons last Thursday to sign with a team in Russia.... The Falcons signed right wing Nick Lent to a professional tryout agreement on Thursday.... Right wing Peter Ferraro and defenseman Mike Wilson, who each sat out both of the club's games over the weekend with injuries, currently have a status of day-to-day.... Defenseman Nikos Tselios missed his first two games of the season over the weekend and is out indefinitely with an injury..... Blueliner Chris Dyment was injured in Friday's game against Manchester and is out indefinitely.... Player/assistant coach Gary Shuchuk missed both of last weekend's games to attend to personal matters. Shuchuk has since rejoined the team.

Upcoming Week:

Falcons at Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Falcons vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Wednesday, February 11

Saturday, February 14

The Sound Tigers (27-11-8-3, 65 pts), in their third season of existence, lead the Eastern Conference standings and own the top winning percentage (.663) in the entire AHL.... This week's back-to-back match-ups mark the 17th and 18th all-time meetings between the clubs. The Falcons hold an all-time record of 4-11-1 against the Sound Tigers.... Bridgeport is currently riding a six-game unbeaten streak (3-0-3) as well as a five-game home unbeaten streak (2-0-3).... The Sound Tiger's 20-game unbeaten streak earlier this season (October 25 - December 14) was the longest in the AHL since the Albany River Rats went 19-0-2 over a run in November and December during the 1995-96 campaign.... The Sound Tigers have outshot their opponents in three straight games by a combined margin of 84-70.... Bridgeport has allowed only 84 goals against this season - the fewest in the AHL this season, 14 fewer than the Wolf Pack who rank second in the category.... Bridgeport right wing Jeff Hamilton ranks second in the AHL in goal scoring (25) despite missing more than a month with an injury. Hamilton skated in the AHL All-Star Skills Competition on Sunday and the All-Star Game on Monday and is expected to play in his first regular season game since January 3 tonight.... Bridgeport rookie goaltender Wade Dubielewicz shares the league lead in GAA (1.37) and ranks second in save percentage (.945). Former Falcons netminder Dieter Kochan ranks fourth in the AHL with a 1.81 GAA and is fifth with a .935 SV% this season.... The Sound Tigers lead the AHL in penalty killing (90.5%).... Bridgeport is 14-0-1-0 when leading after the first period this season.

Falcons vs. Albany River Rats

Sunday, February 15

The River Rats visit the Civic Center for the final time this season in the fifth of six meetings between the clubs.... The Falcons are 2-1-1-0 against Albany this season and 22-21-9 all-time against the team.... The River Rats are winless in their last 13 road games (0-8-2-3) and their last seven contests overall (0-4-2-1). Albany's last road win came on November 30 by a score of 3-2 over the Providence Bruins.... Center Jeff Taffe, who's currently with the Coyotes, leads players on both clubs with four points (2g, 2a) in the season series. Taffe skated for the Falcons in two of the campaign's previous four match-ups between the teams. Westrum (3g, 0a), Chris Ferraro (2g, 1a), and Jason Jaspers (0g, 3a) have each posted three points against the River Rats this season. Forwards Aleksander Suglobov (2g, 1a), Jiri Bicek (1g, 2a), Eric Johansson (1g, 2a), and Craig Darby (1g, 2a) have paced Albany versus the Falcons with three points apiece.... The River Rats have scored two shorthanded goals against Springfield this season.... Albany is 1-6-7 in overtime games this season.... The River Rats have outscored opponents, 39-36, in the first period of games.... Albany is 10-8-0-6 in one-goal games.... The Rats' Raymond Giroux leads AHL defenseman with 10 goals this season.... Darby, who leads the River Rats in scoring, is tied for 19th in the league with 39 points (16g, 23a).

Upcoming Promotions:

Valentine's and Single's Night at The Nest – Saturday, February 14 – Fans can clip out a coupon from The Republican and present it to the Civic Center box office to receive two tickets for the price of one to Saturday's game versus Bridgeport. Also, singles who wear a RED HAT to the Saturday's game can join the Single's Mingle at The Republican booth for fun, surprises, and a free admission coupon for a single's party after the game at JT's Sports Pub. In addition, fans can write a love letter to the Falcons player of their choice and drop it in the Falcons' Mail Box at The Republican booth.

Northeast Dental Kids Night – Sunday, February 15 – The first 500 kids in attendance at Sunday's game will receive a free toothbrush courtesy of Northeast Dental.

WMAS Family Night - Sunday, February 15 – Fans can receive four tickets to Sunday's game versus Albany, four programs, and four Wendy's Restaurant value meals for $60 by pre-purchasing at the Falcons team office at 155 State Street in Springfield. A free family skate follows Sunday's game. Mr. K and his face-painting crew will be part of Sunday's fun.

Community Events:

Falcons' Winter Clothing Collection Drive - Saturday, February 14 – Fans can receive a discounted coupon to Sunday's game by bringing hats, mittens, coats, socks, blankets, and scarves to the Wives' and Girlfriends' Table on the concourse during Saturday's game.

Falcons Family Fun Nights with Friendly's - Monday, February 23 – 5-8 p.m. – The second of six Family Fun Nights with Friendly's will take place at the Friendly's Restaurant located at 1811 Boston Road in Springfield on February 23rd. Screech, the Falcons' lovable mascot as well as Falcons players will be on hand to visit and sign autographs for fans. The events benefit the Jennifer Ferraro Foundation and Springfield Falcons Charities, Inc.

Shoot Pool with the Falcons at Mad Maggies – Thursday, February 26 – 4-6 p.m. - Fans are welcome to join Falcons players at Mad Maggies Billiard Parlor at Tower Square to play pool. Players will sign autographs. Fans can enter to win tickets to the Falcons' final four home games.

This Week's Game Schedule:

Wed., Feb. 11 Falcons at Bridgeport Sound Tigers 7:05 PM Arena at Harbor Yard

Sat., Feb. 14 Falcons vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers 7:35 PM Springfield Civic Center

Sun. Feb. 15 Falcons vs. Albany River Rats 4:05 PM Springfield Civic Center

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American Hockey League Stories from February 11, 2004


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