Falcons prepare for two home games this weekend

Published on October 24, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


THIS WEEK'S GAME PREVIEWS

--FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2005 VS. LOWELL LOCK MONSTERS--

The Falcons will host the Lowell Lock Monsters for the first time this season on Friday night. The Lock Monsters lead the all-time series with a record of 28-22-4. Springfield currently leads Lowell by three points in the Atlantic Division standings. Lowell is looking to snap a three-game losing streak after winning their first two games of the season. The Lock Monsters most recently lost to the Portland Pirates, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Lowell's Pavel Brendl leads the team in goals with three and points with five. The Lock Monsters have defeated Manchester and Hartford this season. This match up is the first of ten between these two teams this season. The Falcons enter Friday's game ranked second in the league in penalty killing at 91.2%, while Lowell is third at 90.6%.

--SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2005 VS. PHILADELPHIA PHANTOMS--

On Sunday, the Falcons will host the reigning Calder Cup Champion, Philadelphia Phantoms. The Phantoms lead the all-time series between these two teams with a record of 9-5-2. The Phantoms will head into Springfield concluding a seven-game road trip. Philadelphia travels to Lowell, Portland and Manchester before coming to the MassMutual Center. R.J. Umberger leads the Phantoms in scoring with three goals and five assists for eight points in five games. Tony Voce leads the team with Umberger in goals with three. The Phantoms most recently defeated Norfolk, 1-0. Umberger scored the only goal for the Phantoms and has now recorded a point in every game this season. Philadelphia currently has a record of 4-1-0-0 good for third place in the East Division. Philadelphia's only loss came against the Albany River Rats on Oct. 15 when they were defeated 3-2. This is the first of two games between these two teams during the 2005-06 season. Springfield travels to Philly on February 12.

LAST WEEK'S GAME RECAPS

---HARTFORD AT SPRINGFIELD, OCTOBER 21 - W 4-3 (OT)---

Jim Campbell scored the game-winning goal 40 seconds into overtime as the Falcons defeated the Wolf Pack for the second time this season. Jason Jaspers had two goals and one assist in Friday's game. Brian Eklund picked up the win for the Falcons with 30 saves in net. Ryan Craig also scored for Springfield, while Darren Reid added two assists.

---PROVIDENCE AT SPRINGFIELD, OCTOBER 22 - L 8-2---

The Bruins handed the Falcons their first regulation loss this season as they defeated Springfield 8-2 at the MassMutual Center. Norm Milley had two power play goals for the Falcons. Gerald Coleman replaced Brian Eklund in net after the first ten minutes of play when the Bruins led 4-0. It was Coleman's second appearance of the season. Darren Reid, Ryan Vesce and Jim Campbell each recorded an assist.

PLAYER NOTABLES:

Jason Jaspers had two goals in Friday night's game against Hartford earning the game's second star. He now leads the team in points this season with seven, three goals and four assists. Jaspers is one goal away from tying Rob Murray for 4th on the Falcons all-time goal list with 61 markers. Jaspers has points in four of the five Falcons games this year.

Jim Campbell scored the game-winner in overtime for the Falcons on Friday night, the second consecutive game against Hartford in which he netted the game-winner. That goal marked Campbell's third on the season. He assisted in Saturday's loss.

Ryan Craig scored his second goal of the season against the Wolf Pack on Friday night and added one assist earning the game's third star.

Darren Reid had two assists against Hartford in Springfield's 4-3 overtime win on Friday and has a two-game point streak.

Brian Eklund had 30 saves against the Wolf Pack collecting his third win of the season.

Norm Milley had two power play goals for the Falcons in Saturday's loss against the Bruins. Milley leads the Falcons in power play goals with three and is tied with Jaspers and Campbell for the team lead in goals.

Springfield is ranked second in the AHL in penalty killing percentage. They have only allowed three power play goals this season and the team has a penalty killing percentage of 91.2%.

Brian Eklund has a record of 3-1 in goal for the Falcons this season. He has 98 saves so far this season and a .907 save percentage.

TEAM NOTES:

The Falcons are currently second in the Atlantic Division with a record of 3-1-1...The team is second in the AHL in penalty killing allowing three goals in 34 shorthanded situations.

INJURY REPORT

Falcons defensemen Brad Bombardir and Todd Rohloff, and forward Steve McLaren have missed games due to injury.

TRANSACTIONS

10-19-05 - Springfield Falcons recall Dennis Packard from Johnstown of the ECHL.

10-22-05 - Tampa Bay Lightning reassign forwards Evgeny Artyukhin and Nick Tarnasky to the Falcons.

10-22-05 - Springfield Falcons reassign left wing Adam Henrich to the Johnstown Chiefs.

COMMUNITY

FRIENDLY'S FAMILY FUN NIGHTS RETURNS - 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 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 (weather permitting) will be taking a trip to the Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield on Tuesday, October 25th for a unique team poster shoot. Falcon 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.

FRIGHT FEST AT CHEZ JOSEF - The Springfield Falcons will join the Patriot Cheerleaders in a Halloween Party with every kind of frozen treat imaginable at Chez Josef in Agawam. The event will be held on Thursday, October 27. Children that will be attending are encouraged to dress up in their Halloween costumes. Players will be signing autographs at the listed times:

5 - 6 p.m.: Brad Tiley, Marek Kvapil, Jim Campbell and Norm Milley

6 - 7 p.m.: Brady Greco, Todd Rohloff, Mike Egener, Gerald Coleman

ADOPT-A-FALCON - The Springfield Falcons hosted their first annual Adopt-A-Falcon draft on October 17. Local area schools had the chance to Adopt-A-Falcon and have that individual player commit to at least two visits per month to the respective school to assist in a variety of areas.

ON THE FARM - JOHNSTOWN CHIEFS

The Falcons' ECHL affiliate, the Johnstown Chiefs, opened their season this past weekend, losing both match-ups. The Chiefs opened their season at Columbia on Friday night. Jason Spence and Randy Rowe each had goals in a 4-2 loss. All six goals scored in the game were on power play. Johnstown hosted the Royals of Reading in their home opener on Saturday night at the Cambria County War Memorial.

NEXT HOME GAME

Friday October 28 vs. Lowell 7:35 PM

Sunday October 30 vs. Philadelphia 4:05 PM

* The Springfield Falcons offer their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Milwaukee Admirals play-by-play broadcaster Kyle Schultz.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 24, 2005


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