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Falcons Prepare For Rats On Wednesday

March 7, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


THIS WEEK'S GAME PREVIEWS

--WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2006 AT ALBANY RIVER RATS--

The Falcons will travel to the Pepsi Arena on Wednesday to face the River Rats for the sixth time this season. Albany is ranked seventh in the AHL's East Division, just one point below the Falcons. Springfield has a 2-3-0-0 season record against the River Rats, including a record of 1-1-0-0 at the Pepsi Arena. The two teams last met on February 8 at the MassMutual Center in what resulted in a 5-2 win for Albany. Andre Deveaux and Chris Dingman tallied for the Falcons but goals from Ilkka Pikkarainen, Alexander Mogilny (game's first star), Chris Minard, Aaron Voros and Nicklas Bergfors gave Albany the win. Frank Doyle stopped 34 shots on goal, earning the game's second star, and posts a current record of 18-25-2. His goals against average is 3.08 and he has a .911 save percentage and has had one shutout this season. Falcons rookie goaltender Jonathan Boutin allowed four goals in the game but stopped 24 shots. Rookie right wing David Clarkson is ranked sixth in the AHL for penalty minutes, posting 233 minutes in 56 games this season, including 18 penalty minutes in five games against the Falcons. Fellow right wing Aleksander Suglobov leads the team in points with 25 goals and 23 assists for 48 points in 51 games.

--FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2006 VS. HARTFORD WOLF PACK--

The Falcons will host the Wolf Pack on Friday night in the sixth meeting between the AHL East Division rivals. The Falcons are 1-1-0-1 at home against Hartford and 2-3-0-1 for the season. Hartford is just two points out of first place in the AHL's East Division with a 37-16-2-6 season record. The Falcons traveled to Hartford on February 24 and lost 4-3 to the Wolf Pack. Goals from Zdenek Blatny, Nick Tarnasky and Jason Jaspers were not enough to overcome goals from Hartford's Lee Falardeau, Jarkko Immonen and two from Dwight Helminen. Falcons goaltender Gerald Coleman set a franchise record, stopping 54 shots on goal that night, while Hartford netminder Robert Gherson stopped 28 of 31 shots on goal. He has a .904 save percentage and a 2.78 goals against average since arriving in Hartford from Manitoba on November 22, 2005. His season numbers include a 2.70 goals against average and a .905 save percentage. Fellow goaltender Al Montoya has a 19-5-1 record with a 2.55 goals against average and a .910 save percentage. Wolf Pack center Alexandre Giroux is ranked tenth in the league for goals with 29 in 56 games and first in the league for shorthanded goals with six for the season. Defenseman Martin Grenier is ranked eight in the AHL for penalty minutes with 215 minutes.

--SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 2006 VS. PROVIDENCE BRUINS--

The Providence Bruins will travel to Springfield on Saturday to face the Falcons for the fourth time at the MassMutual Center. Springfield is 0-2-0-1 at home against the Bruins and 1-5-0-1 for the season. Providence is currently in fourth place in the AHL's East Division with a record of 31-25-1-3. The Bruins were in Springfield on January 28 and earned a 4-3 shootout win over the Falcons, with goals from David Lundbohm, Eric Healey, Ben Walter and Zdenek Blatny, who has since been reassigned to Springfield. Gerald Coleman earned the first star of the game for his 36 saves. Bruins rookie goaltender Jordan Sigalet has the 16th best goals against average in the league at 2.80 and posts a season record of 15-10-2. On February 8, Zdenek Blatny came to Springfield in exchange for goalie Brian Eklund, who has a 3.68 goals against average and a .874 save percentage since arriving in Providence. Center Eric Healey leads the Bruins in scoring with 24 goals and 29 assists for 53 points in 55 games played. Nathan Robinson is second on the team in scoring with 25 goals and 24 assists for 49 points in 54 games.

--SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 2006 AT LOWELL LOCK MONSTERS--

The Falcons fourth and final game of the week will take place at the Paul E. Tsongas Arena in Lowell, Massachusetts on Sunday afternoon. Lowell's 25-28-5-5 record includes a 3-4-0-0 tally against the Falcons. Lowell visited the Falcons on February 23, winning 4-1 with goals from Krys Kolanos, David Gove and Niklas Nordgren, all of whom earned the game's three stars. Center Keith Aucoin continues to lead the team in points and resides in sixth place in the league for scoring and fourth for assists with 23 goals and 47 assists for 70 points. Chad LaRose is ranked fifth in the AHL for shorthanded goals with three in 23 games. Goaltender Vitaly Kolesnik is 15th in the league with a 2.80 goals against average, sixth in the league with a.918 save percentage and third in the league for shutouts, collecting three in 29 games. Fellow goaltender Craig Kowalski has a .916 save percentage and a 3.02 goals against average, posting a 5-7-1 season record.

LAST WEEK'S GAME RECAPS

---Game 1 - Springfield at Philadelphia, March 1 - L 2-1---

The Falcons lost to the Philadelphia Phantoms 2-1 on Wednesday night in a makeup game originally scheduled for February 12. Kiel McLeod scored the first goal of the game at 4:06 of the opening period to give the Phantoms an early lead. Riley Cote made it a 2-0 lead at 14:05 of the second period with a shorthanded goal assisted by former Falcon Jim Campbell and Alexandre Picard. With only 3:58 left in the game, Zdenek Blatny scored the lone goal for Springfield. Both of Philadelphia's scorers, Cote and McLeod earned game stars, as did Springfield goaltender Gerald Coleman for his 33 saves.

---Game 2 - Springfield at Bridgeport, March 4 - W 3-2---

The Springfield Falcons won 3-2 Saturday night at the Arena at Harbor Yard against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, never trailing throughout the game. Nick Tarnasky collected a hat trick, including the game-winner in overtime. Tarnasky was voted the game's first star. Bridgeport's Rob Collins and Falcons goaltender Jonathan Boutin also earned game stars.

---Game 3 - Springfield at Portland, March 5 - L 6-2---

The Springfield Falcons played their final game of the week in Portland on Sunday afternoon, losing 6-2 to the Pirates. Aaron Rome gave Portland an early lead with a powerplay goal at 2:44 of the opening period. Simon Ferguson increased the Pirates lead at 18:05 with a goal assisted by Bruno St. Jacques and Pierre Parenteau. At 13:30 of the second period, Garett Bembridge made it a 3-0 game with another Portland goal. Doug O'Brien put the Falcons on the board at the 17:00 mark of the middle period. Ryan Shannon and Geoff Peters added on insurance goals for Portland while Bembridge scored his second goal of the game at 10:20 of the final period. Springfield was able to get another goal in when David Spina scored with 5:50 left in the game. The game remained scoreless after that, giving Portland the 6-2 win.

PLAYER / TEAM NOTES:

Springfield Falcons Notes

Falcons left wing Steve McLaren made his season debut on Sunday at Portland. The 6-foot 200-pound Ontario native had not dressed this season prior to Sunday's 6-2 loss to the Pirates due to injury. Center Nick Tarnasky scored all three goals in Saturday's 3-2 overtime win in Bridgeport. He collected the hat trick and earned the first star of the game against the Sound Tigers. He was recalled by the Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL on Sunday.

After earning an assist that brought his season totals to five goals and seven assists, right wing Darren Reid was also recalled by the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday.

Falcons right wing Marek Kvapil had an assist on both Wednesday in Philadelphia and Sunday in Portland. He now has 13 goals and 19 assists for 32 points with Springfield this season.

Rookie goaltender Jonathan Boutin earned the win on Saturday against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, stopping 27 shots on goal. He improved his save percentage to .903 and has a 2.77 goals against average.

Zdenek Blatny finished the week with two points, collecting a goal in Wednesday's 2-1 loss against the Philadelphia Phantoms and Sunday's 6-2 loss against the Portland Pirates. The 6-foot-1 195-pound left wing has posted 39 points (12g, 27a) with the Springfield Falcons and the Providence Bruins.

INJURY REPORT

Falcons forward Steve McLaren and Travis Brigley missed games due to injury.

TRANSACTION REPORT

3-4-06 - Tampa Bay Lightning reassign Dennis Packard to the Johnstown Chiefs (ECHL) from the Springfield Falcons.

3-5-06 - Tampa Bay Lightning recalls Nick Tarnasky from the Springfield Falcons.

3-5-06 - Tampa Bay Lightning recalls Darren Reid from the Springfield Falcons.

ON THE FARM - JOHNSTOWN CHIEFS

The Johnstown Chiefs earned a 6-2 road win over the division-leading Reading Royals. John Toffey, Brandon Elliott and Justin Kelly all scored during the second period, and Randy Rowe, Zbynek Hrdel and Doug Andress tallied in the third. The Chiefs fell to Greenville 3-2 on Sunday, with both goals from Dennis Packard. Johnstown is now 25-21-11, placing them fourth in the North Division, seventh in the American Conference and 13th in the ECHL. The Chiefs will play three consecutive home games this weekend, hosting the Trenton Titans on Friday, the Wheeling Nailers on Saturday and

COMMUNITY

FAMILY FUN NIGHTS AT FRIENDLY'S RETURN: Friendly Ice Cream is proud to announce "Family Fun Nights at Friendly's" to benefit Springfield Falcons Charities, Inc. Falcons players and Screech meet and greet fans at area Friendly's Restaurant throughout the Pioneer Valley:

MONDAY, MARCH 13th 6-8 P.M. 94 Elm St., Enfield, CT

MONDAY, MARCH 20TH 6-8 P.M. 1094 Riverdale Rd., West Springfield

MONDAY, MARCH 27th 6-8 P.M. 529 Memorial Drive, Chicopee

HOCKEY 101: Attention all Falcon Fans!!!! Ever enjoy a hockey game but wanted to learn more about AUTOMATIC ICING? THE TAMPA BAY "SYSTEM"? Enroll in HOCKEY 101 brought to you by Appleton Corporation and Advance Auto Parts. Enroll today for our first HOCKEY 101 session! MARCH 14-16th. Falcons 101 is a three-night study session for fans who want to learn more about the COOLEST GAME ON EARTH! Students of FALCONS 101 will be taught skating and ice hockey fundamentals, learn the rules and regulations of hockey and take home assignments, all in order to complete the course and receive their diploma!!! Our professors have years of experience in the hockey business. Whether a former player now a coach or General Manager and Owner, we have the staff that will truly teach you all the nuances of the game. It's never too late to go back to school! Cost is $60 and includes a t-shirt, ticket and food to Falcons game, diploma, and course manual.

PINK RIBBON POWER PLAY: This program was started by #9 Ryan Vesce, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor. For each power play goal scored by the Falcons starting with the December 9th game, sponsors will donate funds that will benefit area breast cancer centers. We are looking for sponsors, both from an individual and corporate level, to pledge any amount. For example, if Screech pledged $1 for each power play goal and the Falcons score 20 power play goals for the rest of the season, Screech will donate $20 to the breast cancer cause. To join the Pink Ribbon Power Play, contact Carole Appleton at 413-739-3344 x.112.

WEEK IN REVIEW

MARCH 1 Springfield-1, Philadelphia-2

MARCH 4 Springfield-3, Bridgeport-2 (ot)

MARCH 5 Springfield-2, Portland-6

THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE

MARCH 8 Springfield @ Albany 7:00 PM Pepsi Arena

MARCH10 Springfield vs. Hartford 7:35 PM MassMutual Center

MARCH 11 Springfield vs. Providence 7:05 PM MassMutual Center

MARCH 12 Springfield @ Lowell 4:05 PM Paul E. Tsongas Arena

*Radio Broadcasts on WMAS 1450 AM

*Watch Live on the B-2 Network



American Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2006


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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