Falcons Start Busy Week Of Games Tuesday
December 26, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
THIS WEEK'S GAME PREVIEWS
--TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2005 VS. PROVIDENCE BRUINS--
The Springfield Falcons and Providence Bruins will play the backend of their home-and-home series when they face off on Tuesday night at the MassMutual Center. The Falcons and Bruins played this past Friday with Springfield losing to Providence 5-1 at the Dunkin Donuts Center. Jason Jaspers scored the lone goal for the Falcons, who will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak. The Falcons are
1-3-0-0 against the Bruins this season. Former Falcon Eric Healey continues to lead the Bruins in scoring this season with 14 goals and 16 assists for 30 points in 24 games. Providence forward Nathan Robinson collected one goal and two assists in the last meeting between these two Atlantic Division rivals and now has four goals and two assists in his last two games against Springfield. Veteran Tim Thomas continues to lead Providence goaltenders with a 2.21 goals against average and .924 save percentage in 19 games played. Springfield leads Providence by four points in the Atlantic Division standings.
--WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2005 AT BRIDGEPORT SOUND TIGERS--
The Falcons and Sound Tigers will get together for the third time this season and second meeting in Bridgeport. Springfield defeated Bridgeport back on November 19, 4-3, with rookie Ryan Vesce netting the game-winner late in the third period. The Sound Tigers currently have a record of 12-18-2-1 good for 27 points and fifth place in the East Division standings. Forward Rob Collins continues to lead the Sound Tigers in scoring this season with eight goals and 19 assists for 27 points in 28 games played.
--FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2005 VS. MANCHESTER MONARCHS--
The Falcons and Monarchs will meet for the sixth time this season with Springfield posting a record of 2-1-1-1 against Manchester this year. This year's season series has been very competitive with three of the five games heading into overtime and four of the five contests have been decided by one goal. The Falcons rallied to beat the Monarchs in their last meeting, 5-4, back on December 10 when Springfield captain Ryan Craig scored the game-winner with 1:06 remaining in regulation. Craig, Norm Milley and Jason Jaspers all lead the Falcons with seven points in five games against Manchester this season. Manchester forwards Konstantin Pushkarev and Denis Grebeshkov each have six points in five games against the Falcons this season. Springfield goaltender Gerald Coleman has a record of 2-0-1 with a 2.29 goals against average and .922 save percentage in three games against the Monarchs this season.
--SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2005 AT PORTLAND PIRATES--
The Falcons and Pirates will bring in the New Year with their fifth meeting of the season on Saturday night. After beating the Pirates on opening night, the Falcons have lost three straight against the Pirates this year. This will be Springfield's second visit to Portland this season with the Falcons losing to the Pirates, 5-1, back on November 11 in their first visit to the Cumberland County Civic Center. The last two meetings between these two Atlantic Division rivals have been decided by one goal, including a 4-3 Portland win on December 16 at the MassMutual Center. Springfield veteran right winger Jim Campbell has three goals in three games against Portland this season, while Jason Japers leads all Springfield scorers with two goals and four assists for six points in four games. The Pirates possess one of the AHL's top offensive duos as Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry have combined for 49 points in 25 games since being reassigned to Portland by their NHL affiliate, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Getzlaf was the CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending December 18 after collecting 10 points in three games. Getzlaf is now tied with teammate Dustin Penner for the team's scoring lead with 25 points each.
LAST WEEK'S GAME RECAPS
---Game 1 - Springfield at Providence, December 23 - L 5-1---
The Falcons lost their second straight game in Providence losing to the Bruins 5-1 on Friday night. Providence built a 3-0 lead early in the second period and never looked back on their way to victory. Jason Jaspers scored the lone goal for Springfield assisted by Harlan Pratt. Gerald Coleman made 25 saves in goal for the Falcons. Justin Kelly made his 2005-06 Falcons debut collecting three shots on goal.
PLAYER / TEAM NOTES:
Center Justin Kelly made his 2005-06 Falcons debut on Friday night after being recalled from Springfield's ECHL affiliate the Johnstown Chiefs. Kelly was leading the Chiefs in scoring with 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points in 21 games at the time of his recall. Kelly appeared in four games with the Falcons last year collecting two goals and one assist in four games.
Center Andre Deveaux played in his 100th career AHL game on Friday, December 23 in Providence.
Forward Mitch Fritz played in his 300th career pro game on Friday, December 23 in Providence.
Out of the 118 AHL Alumni named to participate in the 2006 Winter Olympics, 12 participants spent time with the Falcons including: Shane Doan, Marek Malik, Olli Jokinen, Sami Kapanen, Sascha Goc, Jason Muzzatti, Nikolai Khabibulin, Radsolav Suchy, Goran Bezina, Mark Streit, Thomas Ziegler, and Robert Esche.
INJURY REPORT
Falcons forward Steve McLaren and Zbynek Hrdel missed games due to injury.
TRANSACTION REPORT
12-21-05 - Springfield Falcons recall Adam Henrich and Justin Kelly from Johnstown.
ON THE FARM - JOHNSTOWN CHIEFS
The Chiefs have been off since beating Charlotte, 3-2, on December 20. Johnstown returns to action on Friday, December 30 when they travel to Trenton. The Chiefs have a record of 9-12-7 good for 25 points and fourth place in the ECHL's North Division.
COMMUNITY 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.
SOUPY'S KITCHEN CUPBOARD - #10 Jim Campbell, whose nickname is "Soupy," is proud to announce a unique food collection program for the 2005-06 season. The program which is called "Soupy's Kitchen Cupboard" encourages fans to bring a canned good or non-perishable food item to any Falcons home game. Those who donate will receive a raffle ticket to win autographed items from Campbell and the rest of the Falcons. One lucky grand prize winner will receive lunch with Campbell in March. Campbell will donate all food to local area food banks.
GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE - The Springfield Falcons would like to remind fans that Gift Certificates remain on sale through the Falcons Office. Flex Packs also remain available for the 2005-06 season and can be purchased by calling 413-739-3344.
PINK RIBBON POWER PLAY: This program was brought to our attention 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 level 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.
WEEK IN REVIEW
DECEMBER 23 Springfield 1, Providence 5
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE
DECEMBER 27 Springfield Vs. Providence Bruins 7:05 PM at MassMutual Center
DECEMBER 28 Springfield At Bridgeport Sound Tigers 7:05 PM at Arena At Harbor Yard
DECEMBER 30 Springfield Vs. Manchester Monarchs 7:35 PM at MassMutual Center
DECEMBER 31 Springfield At Portland Pirates 5:35 PM at C.C. Civic Center
*Radio Broadcasts on WMAS 1450AM
*Watch Live on the B-2 Network
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