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Falcons Ride into Week 11 Unbeaten in 12 Games

December 16, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, MA – The Springfield Falcons (9-12-4-1, 23 pts) remain unbeaten in the month of December (2-0-2) by collecting a win and a tie in two games last weekend. With his first goal of the season, Falcons defenseman Igor Knyazev pulled Springfield even midway through the third period of a 3-3 tie against the River Rats in Albany on Friday evening. The following night, forwards Chris Ferraro (0g, 2a) and Krys Kolanos (1g, 1a) registered two points each as the Falcons downed the Portland Pirates, 4-1, at the Springfield Civic Center. Ferraro registered the 400th AHL point of his career with his second assist in the contest. Springfield moved into a tie with the Lowell Lock Monsters for fifth place in the Atlantic Division with the victory.

The Falcons will face the New England-rival Pirates two more times in the upcoming week. The club visits Portland on Friday and hosts the Pirates at The Nest on Sunday. In between, the Falcons will take on the Hartford Wolf Pack in a road game on Saturday night.

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

Falcons – 3 at Albany – 3 (OT)

Friday, December 12th

Springfield carried a 2-1 lead into the third period behind second-period goals by Erik Westrum and Chris Ferraro. However, the River Rats vaulted to a one-goal lead with goals by Joe Hulbig and Krisjanis Redlihs in the opening 8:28 of the final frame. Knyazev's unassisted game-tying tally came on a wrist shot from near the left wing corner. Falcons goaltender Jean-Marc Pelletier turned aside 30 of 33 shots, while Scott Clemmensen made 38 saves in the Albany net. Springfield is 2-1-1 against the River Rats this season.

SOG: 41 SOGA: 33 PP: 0-for-3 PK: 3-for-4

Falcons – 4 vs. Portland – 1

Saturday, December 13th

After yielding the game-opening goal to Portland right wing Owen Fussey, the Falcons responded with two goals by the end of the first period and two more in the final frame. Chris Ferraro assisted on goals by Kolanos and defenseman Nikos Tselios in the first period. Forward Frank Banham scored an insurance goal midway through the third period before Erik Westrum capped scoring with a shorthanded/empty net goal with 2:45 remaining to play. The Falcons killed off each of the Pirates' 10 power plays in the game.

SOG: 34 SOGA: 28 PP: 0-for-7 PK: 10-for-10

Team Notes: The Falcons have killed off 29 of their opponents' last 30 power-play opportunities. Redlihs' power-play goal for Albany in the third period on Friday broke a streak of 19 consecutive penalty kills by the Falcons. Springfield ranks sixth in the AHL in penalty killing at home (91.2%).... Defenseman Dustin Wood recorded his first career AHL point with an assist on Kolanos's goal in Saturday's win over Portland.... Kolanos is riding a Falcons' season-high four-game point streak (2g, 4a). The center has collected an assist in each game in that span.... Westrum's goal to conclude scoring against Portland on Saturday was the Falcons' first empty-net marker of the season. The goal was also the first shorthanded goal that the Pirates had given up this season.... Chris Ferraro leads the Falcons with 11 assists this season.... Fredrik Sjostrom, who has skated 17 games with the Falcons this season, scored his first career NHL goal on Friday in a 3-3 Phoenix Coyotes' tie versus the Edmonton Oilers. Jeff Taffe assisted on the tally. Sjostrom scored again last night in a 5-2 Coyotes' loss to the Minnesota Wild.... The Falcons have outshot their opponents in three of their last four games. The club has outshot their opponents, 24-14, during overtime periods this season.... Springfield's four-game unbeaten streak is tied with three teams for the second longest such current streak in the AHL.

Roster Update: The Falcons re-assigned forward James Desmarais to Adirondack (UHL) on Sunday after recalling the Montreal native on Thursday. Desmarais had a plus/minus rating of +1 in two games with Springfield over the weekend.... Falcons forwards Peter Ferraro and Jason Jaspers each missed both games over the weekend with injuries.... Goaltender Zac Bierk continues to practice with the Falcons while remaining on the Coyotes' injured reserve list.

Upcoming Week:

Falcons at Portland Pirates

Friday, December 19th

Falcons vs. Portland Pirates

Sunday, December 21st

The Falcons and Pirates (9-14-1-3, 22 pts) will meet for the third and fourth time of December this weekend. Springfield is 1-1-1 against Portland this season and 41-27-7 all-time.... The Pirates are 1-1-1-1 over their last four contests with the Falcons handing them their only regulation loss over that span.... Goaltender Maxime Ouellet was recalled to the Washington Capitals from the Pirates on Sunday, while netminder Ratislav Stana was re-assigned to Portland. The Pirates' second-leading scorer Trent Whitfield was recalled by Washington on Friday.... Left wing Colin Forbes leads the Pirates in scoring with 20 points (8g, 12a).... After not surrendering a shorthanded goal through the first 25 games over their schedule, Portland has allowed three over the last two games – one to the Falcons on Saturday and two at Hartford on Sunday.... The Pirates' power play is tied for 27th in the AHL.... Portland goaltenders have combined for a .918 save percentage this season.

Falcons at Hartford Wolf Pack

Saturday, December 20th

The Falcons visit Hartford (15-7-4-1, 35 pts) for the third time this season. The Wolf Pack will make their first appearance of the campaign in Springfield on December 26th. Hartford downed the Falcons, 4-3, on November 8th after the rivals had tied, 3-3, on November 1st.... The Wolf Pack are 7-7-1-0 since not losing in regulation in any of the first 12 games on their schedule (8-0-3-1).... Hartford shares first place in the Atlantic Division with the Providence Bruins.... Forwards Jed Ortmeyer, Jason MacDonald, and Richard Scott are currently on recall with the New York Rangers.... The Wolf Pack are 9-2-4-0 at home this season.... Hartford has outshot opponents, 848-646, this season.... The Wolf Pack have given up 51 goals to their opponents this season – the second fewest in the AHL. Only the Bridgeport Sound Tigers have yielded fewer.... Hartford has scored a league-leading seven shorthanded goals this season.... Hartford goaltender Phil Osaer ranks third in the AHL in goals against average (1.65) and teammate Jason LaBarbera ranks sixth (1.76).

Tenth Anniversary Team: Fans can cast a vote for Tavis Hansen or Reggie Savage for the right wing position on the Falcons' Tenth Anniversary Team through Friday as voting continues on the Falcons official web site. Voting for the left defense position will begin Saturday as fans will be able to choose between Dan Focht and Martin Grenier. Click on The Republican Cyber Poll logo at falconsahl.com to vote.

Upcoming Promotions:

WMAS Family Night - Sunday, December 20th – Four tickets to the game, four game programs and four Wendy's Restaurant meals can be purchased for $60.00 through the Falcons front office. A free public skate follows the game.

Season Ticket Holder Redemption Night – Sunday, December 20th – Season-ticket holders can redeem their unused tickets for tickets to Sunday's game versus Portland.

Falcons Holiday Packs - Get four flex vouchers for tickets and a Falcons' cap for the hockey fan on your list for just $60. Falcons Holiday Packs are available at the Falcons Team Store located at 155 State Street in Springfield or at the guest services and merchandise tables at Sunday's Falcons game.

Community Events:

Holiday Hospital Visit at Shriners Hospital– Tuesday, December 16th – Falcons players will visit Shriners Hospital in Springfield from 2:00 to 4:00 pm on Tuesday.

This Week's Game Schedule:

Fri., Dec. 19th Falcons at Portland Pirates 7:05 PM Cumberland County Civic Center

Sat., Dec, 20th Falcons at Hartford Wolf Pack 7:05 PM Hartford Civic Center

Sun., Dec. 21st Falcons vs. Portland Pirates 4:05 PM Springfield Civic Center

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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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