Falcons Prepare For Two Games This Weekend
October 20, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
THIS WEEK'S GAME PREVIEWS
--FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2005 VS. HARTFORD WOLF PACK--
The Springfield Falcons and Hartford Wolf Pack for the second consecutive week will renew their rivalry. The Falcons defeated the Wolf Pack 2-1 last Friday night led by a 38-save effort from goaltender Brian Eklund, who was the game's first star. Jim Campbell and Jason Jaspers scored for the Falcons in the win, while Bryce Lampman converted for the Wolf Pack. The Falcons have a 32-45-6 all-time record against Hartford. The Falcons and Wolf Pack will meet eight more times this year, four home and four away.
--SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2005 VS. PROVIDENCE BRUINS--
The Springfield Falcons and Providence Bruins will meet for the first of ten meetings this year on Saturday night. The power play figures to be a crucial element in this weekend's match-up between Providence and Springfield. The Bruins are in the top ten in the AHL in power play percentage while the Falcons, who have yet to allow a power play goal this season, are best in the league in penalty killing. The teams last met during the preseason when the Falcons won 5-2. So far this season, the Bruins have split their two games with the Portland Pirates for a 1-1 record. The Falcons have a 46-62-6 all-time record against Providence.
LAST WEEK'S GAME RECAPS
---SPRINGFIELD at HARTFORD, OCTOBER 14 - W 2-1---
Less than a minute into the opening period, Falcons veteran forward Jim Campbell put Springfield on the scoreboard when he converted on a breakaway, wristing a shot past Hartford goaltender Chris Holt. The Falcons expanded their lead to 2-0 just four minutes later when Jason Jaspers one-timed a Norm Milley pass past Holt giving Springfield a two-goal cushion. Springfield had an opportunity to go ahead by three goals when they ended up on a two-man advantage late in the opening period, but the Hartford penalty killers were able to keep their deficit at two goals. After a scoreless second period, Hartford was able to cut their deficit to 2-1 when defenseman Bryce Lampman's slap shot beat a screened Falcons goaltender Brian Eklund at 4:22 of the third period.
---SPRINGFIELD at MANCHESTER, OCTOBER 15 - L 3-2 (OT)---
Falcons rookie goaltender Gerald Coleman was solid in his professional debut in Manchester. Coleman held the Monarchs to one goal late in the third period. Manchester had pulled their goalie, and with the offensive advantage, Lauri Tukonen was able to tie the game with 55 seconds remaining in regulation. Petr Kanko scored 2 minutes 32 seconds into overtime for Manchester. Norm Milley and Evgeny Artyukhin each scored for the Falcons, both goals coming in the third period.
PLAYER NOTES:
Goaltender Brian Eklund is ranked third in the league with a 1.50 goals against average and .956 save percentage....Center Jason Jaspers has points in all three Falcons games so far with one goal and three assists....Goaltender Gerald Coleman made his professional debut in Manchester....Right Wingers Evgeny Artyukhin and Jim Campbell are tied for the team lead in goals with two each.
TEAM NOTES:
The Falcons won back-to-back games to start the season for the first time in franchise history. The Falcons have used a balance attack this season with nine different Falcons players collecting at least a point this year.
INJURY REPORT
Falcons defensemen Brad Bombardir and Todd Rohloff, and forward Steve McLaren have missed games due to injury.
TRANSACTIONS
10-14-05 - Tampa Bay Lightning recall defenseman Paul Ranger from the Springfield Falcons.
10-18-05 - Tampa Bay Lightning re-assign defenseman Timo Helbling to the Falcons.
10-19-05 - Tampa Bay Lightning recall forwards Evgeny Artyukhin and Nick Tarnasky.
10-19-05 - Springfield Falcons recall Dennis Packard from Johnstown of the ECHL.
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 each event's sales will benefit Springfield Falcons Charities, Inc, the Official Charity of the Springfield Falcons. The dates are as follows:
Monday, October 24 529 Memorial Drive, Chicopee, MA - #10 Jim Campbell & #16 Marek Kvapil
Monday, November 14 19 Springfield Street, Agawam, MA - Players TBD
Monday, November 28 65 Sumner Ave., Springfield, MA - Players TBD
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.
FALCONS FLY INTO BARNES ANGB, WESTFIELD FOR POSTER - The Springfield Falcons will be taking a trip to the Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield on Tuesday, October 25th for a unique team poster shoot. Falcons players and coaching staff will be getting their team poster taken on the Falcons' A-10 recently unveiled at the 2005 Westfield Air Show. In addition to the poster shoot, the team will be given a tour of Barnes ANGB, receive a pilot briefing and visit the SFS building before returning to Springfield.
ON THE FARM - JOHNSTOWN CHIEFS
The Falcons' ECHL affiliate, the Johnstown Chiefs, will open their season this weekend. Several members of the Chiefs were in training camp in Springfield this fall including: Zbynek Hrdel, John Toffey, Randy Rowe, Jonathan Boutin, Jay Rosehill, Brandon Elliott, Dennis Packard, Justin Kelly, and Jean-Francois Soucy.
NEXT HOME GAMES
Friday October 21 vs. Hartford 7:35 PM
Saturday October 22 vs. Providence 7:05
WEEK IN REVIEW
OCTOBER 14 Springfield-2 at Hartford -1
OCTOBER 15 Springfield - 2 at Manchester - 3 (OT)
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE
OCTOBER 21 Springfield vs. Hartford 7:35 PM MassMutual Center
OCTOBER 22 Springfield vs. Providence 7:05 PM 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 October 20, 2005
- Moose Down Rivermen 6-1 - Peoria Rivermen
- Knights Edged By Houston In Another Shootout - Abbotsford Heat
- Moose topple Rivermen 6-1 - Manitoba Moose
- Houston heads home with AHL's top record - Houston Aeros
- AHL All Star Tickets on Sale - Manitoba Moose
- Falcons Prepare For Two Games This Weekend - Springfield Falcons
- Baseball fans get $5 Aeros discount this weekend - Houston Aeros
- Rampage pay tribute to the mullet - San Antonio Rampage
- RailRaiders announce schedule of events - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- RailRaiders tap Game Day Communications to help with marketing and fan development plan - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Gardens Hockey unveils new name and logo - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Mighty Ducks announce roster moves - Portland Pirates
- Monarchs Announce September Investing In Our Youth Winners - Manchester Monarchs
- Osgood slated to start Saturday at Van Andel Arena - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Atlanta Recalls Berkhoel - Chicago Wolves
- Binghamton forward set to replace Fisher again in Friday's lineup - Binghamton Senators
- Admirals swap defensemen with Rockford - Milwaukee Admirals
- AHL enters second year of partnership with The Hockey Company - AHL
- Houston Aeros update - Houston Aeros
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.
