Falcons Set To Host Wolf Pack Tonight

February 7, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


The Springfield Falcons and Hartford Wolf Pack will meet for the seventh time this season when they continue their rivalry on Saturday night at the MassMutual Center. The Falcons are 2-1-3-0 against the Wolf Pack this year with Hartford winning the last three games in the season series. Five of the six games head-to-head between these two Atlantic Division rivals this year have been one-goal games, including three contests going to overtime and one game decided in a shootout. Following tonight's game, Springfield and Hartford will not meet again until March 7.

Falcons center Ryan Potulny leads the Falcons in goals against the Pack this year with four markers in five games played. Gilbert Brule is tied with Potulny for the team lead in points against the Wolf Pack with five points each. Brule has recorded three goals and two assists in three games against the Pack. Rookie defenseman Taylor Chorney leads Springfield in assists against Hartford this campaign with three.

Hartford forward Pierre Parenteau leads the Wolf Pack in scoring against the Falcons this year with two goals and five assists for seven points in six games played. Artem Anisimov is second in points against Springfield this year with two goals and three assists for five points in six games, including a pair of overtime game-winning goals against the Falcons. Goaltender Matt Zaba is a perfect 2-0 with a 1.44 goals against average and .951 save percentage against Springfield this year.

Tonight, the Falcons continue a busy stretch of games at the MassMutual Center as they play the second of three straight home games this weekend. Springfield dropped a 4-2 decision to the Lowell Devils on Friday night after taking a 2-1 lead into the third period. Carl Corazzini scored his seventh goal of the year and Ryan Potulny added his 20th marker of the campaign providing Springfield's offense. Goaltender Dany Sabourin made his Falcons debut between the pipes stopping 32 of 36 shots against the Devils. Springfield concludes their weekend on Sunday when they host the Binghamton Senators starting at 5 pm.

The Wolf Pack head into The Nest after having a rare Friday night off last night. Hartford dropped a 6-3 decision on Wednesday night against the Manchester Monarchs. The Wolf Pack has won three of their last four games and they now have a record of 25-19-2-3 on the season. Hartford is currently in third place in the Atlantic Division, but only one point behind Worcester and four points behind first place Providence.

MORE PLAYER MOVEMENT: The Falcons announced Friday that the Edmonton Oilers recalled defenseman Theo Peckham and assigned center Ryan Potulny to Springfield. Defenseman Sebastien Bisaillon has also been recalled from the Stockton Thunder.

As well, left wing J.F. Jacques has been activated and assigned to Springfield on a two-week conditioning assignment. Both Potulny and Jacques were in the Falcons' lineup on Friday night.

Potulny has skated in eight games with the Oilers this season and is +2 with three assists while averaging 10:29 minutes of ice time per game. The 6'0", 190 pound native of Grand Forks, North Dakota has scored 34 points in 39 games with Springfield, scoring a team-leading 20 goals and adding 14 assists. He leads the Falcons with seven power play goals and nine multiple-point games and has registered 26 penalty minutes.

Jacques has missed the season's first 51 games due to a back injury and will join the Falcons for conditioning purposes.

WOLF PACK PLAYER MOVEMENT: New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced this week that defenseman Corey Potter has been recalled from the Wolf Pack.

Potter, 25, has registered four goals and 15 assists for 19 points, along with 60 penalty minutes in 41 games with Hartford this season. He currently ranks second on the team among defensemen in points (19) and assists (15), and is tied for second among Wolf Pack blue liners in goals (four). The Lansing, Michigan native has recorded five multiple-point games this season, including two multiple-assist efforts. The 6-3, 200-pounder has registered one assist in two games with the Rangers this season. He recorded his first NHL point with an assist on December 27 vs. New Jersey, and made his NHL debut on December 7 vs. Calgary.

It was also announced this week that forward Artem Anisimov has been assigned to the Wolf Pack.

Anisimov, 20, made his NHL debut vs. Atlanta following his recall on Monday. The 6-4, 194-pounder has registered 21 goals and 29 assists for 50 points, along with 38 penalty minutes in 48 games with Hartford this season. He returns to the Wolf Pack tied for fourth in the AHL in points (50), and tied for eighth in the league in goals (21) and power play goals (nine). He is also tied for fifth in the league with five game winning goals. His 21 goals lead all Wolf Pack skaters, while his 29 assists and 50 points rank second on Hartford. Anisimov has recorded 13 multiple-point games this season, including a three-point effort on November 7 vs. Worcester (one goal and two assists). He also registered a career-high, eight-game point streak from January 9 at Springfield to January 24 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, tallying 11 points (five goals and six assists) during the stretch. Anisimov recorded three points (one goal and two assists) and a plus-three rating as a member of the PlanetUSA AHL All-Stars at the AHL All-Star Classic on January 26.

The Yaroslavl, Russia native was originally the Rangers' second round selection, 54th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.



American Hockey League Stories from February 7, 2009


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