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Falcons to Visit River Rats, Host Pirates in Week Nine

December 9, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, MA - The Springfield Falcons (8-12-3-1, 20 pts) registered a win and a tie in two games last week. Rookie left wing Mike Stutzel posted a natural hat trick in scoring the game's first three goals in Springfield's 6-2 win over the Worcester IceCats on Friday. The team battled the snow to visit the Pirates in Portland for a Saturday evening tilt. Michael Schutte scored twice as the teams skated to a 3-3 deadlock. In earning the three points during the weekend, the Falcons vaulted over the Portland Pirates for sixth place in the AHL's Atlantic Division standings in the first step of what the club aims to make a climb up the standings.

In the upcoming week, the Falcons will travel to upstate New York to face the Albany River Rats on Friday before hosting the Pirates at the Springfield Civic Center on Saturday evening.

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

Falcons – 6 vs. Worcester – 2

Friday, December 5th

Stutzel scored twice in the first period and once in the second in notching his first professional hat trick. Following a breakaway goal by left wing Trevor Gillies, a shorthanded tally by center Chris Ferraro 6:11 into the middle frame made the score 5-0 in favor of the Falcons. Center Krystofer Kolanos's goal 3:28 later, his first as a Falcon, capped scoring for Springfield. Worcester center Mike Glumac potted both markers for the IceCats in the game. Falcons goaltender David LeNeveu made 26 saves in collecting his fifth win of the season. Springfield is 1-1-1-1 against the IceCats this season.

SOG: 31 SOGA: 28 PP: 0-for-4 PK: 3-for-3

Falcons – 3 at Portland – 3 (OT)

Saturday, December 6th

Schutte's back-to-back goals 2:31 apart propelled the Falcons from a one-goal deficit to a 3-2 lead at the end of the second period. However, Portland's leading scorer, Colin Forbes, scored with 3:10 remaining in regulation to send the contest to overtime. Springfield put the only four shots on goal during the extra session, but neither team could net the game-winner. Falcons defenseman Jeremiah McCarthy opened scoring with his third goal of the season 8:02 into the game. Goaltender Jean-Marc Pelletier made a Falcons' season-high 44 saves in the tie.

SOG: 33 SOGA: 47 PP: 0-for-1 PK: 3-for-3

Team Notes: Stutzel's hat trick on Friday was the first by a Falcon since February 1st of last season when Shane Willis net three goals in a 5-4 win over the Providence Bruins. Stutzel's hat trick was the 11th in the AHL this season. The Northern Michigan University product is tied for third in the AHL in goal scoring among rookies this season with eight.... Marty McSorley was behind the bench for his 100th game as Falcons head coach on Friday..... Pelletier's 44 saves in Saturday's tie at Portland was the most by a Falcons goaltender since Zac Bierk stopped 48 of 49 shots in a 3-1 victory over the Manitoba Moose on October 26, 2002.... The Falcons were snowed in following their game in Portland on Saturday night and did not return to Springfield until Sunday morning.... Chris Ferraro is three points shy of 400 for his AHL career. Ferraro's shorthanded marker on Friday was the first by the Falcons this season.... The goal by Gillies versus Worcester on Friday was the first of his career in the AHL.... Kolanos was a Falcons' season-best +4 against the IceCats on Friday.... All three of Springfield's ties this season have been by a score of 3-3.... Friday's triumph was the first Falcons' win of the season by more than one goal.... The Falcons have killed off their opponents' last 16 power plays over the last five games. Springfield last surrendered a power-play goal on November 28th at Worcester. The Falcons rank eighth in the AHL in home penalty killing (89.4%).

Roster Update: Schutte was traded on Tuesday by the Phoenix Coyotes to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for defenseman Chris Dyment. Dyment is expected to be assigned to the Falcons while Schutte will be assigned to Minnesota's AHL affiliate, the Houston Aeros.... Right wing Peter Ferraro has missed the Falcons' last six games with an injury. His current status is day-to-day.... Goaltender Zac Bierk continues to practice with the Falcons, but has not been cleared to play. The netminder is currently on the Phoenix Coyotes' injured reserve list.

Upcoming Week:

Falcons at Albany River Rats

Friday, December 12th

The Falcons face the River Rats in the fourth of six match-ups between the clubs this season. The Falcons are 2-1-0 versus Albany this season and 22-21-8 all-time against the River Rats.... Albany scored four first-period goals en route to a 4-2 win over Springfield at the Civic Center in the last meeting on November 21st.... The River Rats are 1-7-2-1 at home while the team is 5-3-2-1 on the road.... Falcons center Jason Jaspers has collected three assists versus Albany this season.... Rats forwards Aleksander Sugolbov (2g, 1a), Jiri Bicek (1g, 2a), and Craig Darby (1g, 2a) have each registered three points against Springfield to pace their team.... The River Rats are among four teams that have scored a league-high five shorthanded goals this season. The club has scored two shorthanders against the Falcons.... Albany ranks ninth in the AHL in home penalty killing (88.9%).... The River Rats skated to a 1-1 tie with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, who are in the midst of a 16-game unbeaten streak (13-0-3-0), in Albany on Friday. Rats netminder Ari Ahonen stopped 39 of 40 shots in the game.... Darby leads Albany in goals (7), assists (12), points (19), and shorthanded goals (2). He shares the team lead in power-play goals (2) and plus/minus rating (+2).

Falcons vs. Portland Pirates

Saturday, December 13th

After having played twice in Portland this season, the clubs meet in Springfield for the first time on Saturday. The teams will face each other in a total of ten games this season.... The Falcons are 40-27-7 versus the Pirates all-time and 0-1-1 against the division rivals this campaign.... The Pirates are winless in their last seven games (0-4-1-2).... Portland is 2-9-0-1 in road games this season. The team has lost their last four road games.... Tim Army is in his second season as head coach of the Pirates.... Forbes leads the team in scoring with 17 points (7g, 10a).... Portland is 4-2-0-0 when tied after the second period this season.... The Pirates are one of two teams (with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton) to not have allowed a shorthanded goal this season.... Defenseman Mike Pudlick leads Portland in plus/minus at +6.... Pirates' goaltenders have combined this season to register a goals against average of 2.31 and .918 save percentage this season.... Netminder Maxime Ouellet has played in every Pirates' game (13) since Radislav Stana was recalled to the Washington Capitals on November 4th.

Tenth Anniversary Team: Voting for the center position on the Falcons' Tenth Anniversary Team continues through Tuesday as fans can choose between Daniel Briere and Rob Murray in on-line balloting certain to go down to the wire. Falcons' fans can cast a vote for either Ramzi Abid or Jean-Guy Trudel at left wing beginning on Wednesday. Click on The Republican Cyber Poll logo at falconsahl.com to vote.

Upcoming Promotions:

Balise Drug Awareness Night - Saturday, December 13th – The first 2,500 kids in attendance at Saturday's' game versus Portland will receive a "Hockey's Cool, Drugs Aren't" poster featuring Falcons players Gary Shuchuk and Mike Wilson.

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 all Falcons' home games until Christmas.

Community Events:

Shriners Hospital Children's Sled Hockey Program - Tuesday, December 9th - Falcons left wing Trevor Gillies and defenseman Jeremiah McCarthy will be at Amelia Park Rink in Westfield on from 6-7 p.m. to assist with the Shriners Hospital's Children's Sled Hockey Program.

Mass Con Braves Hockey Practice – Tuesday, December 9th – Falcons center Kiel McLeod and defenseman Dustin Wood will assist the Mass Con Braves Bantam Majors at hockey practice at Fitzpatrick Ice Skating Rink in Holyoke on Tuesday from 8:30-9:30 pm.

Goalie Clinic – Wednesday, December 10th - Falcons goaltender Jean-Marc Pelletier will give instruction at a goalie clinic at Olympia Arena in West Springfield on Wednesday beginning at 8 pm.

Holiday Hospital Visit at Bay State Medical Center's Children's Ward – Thursday, December 11th – Falcons players Mike Wilson, Goran Bezina, Erik Westrum, David LeNeveu, and Martin Podlesak as well as head coach Marty McSorley will visit the children's ward of Bay State Medical Center from 3-4 pm on Thursday.

Nabisco Toy Drive – Bring an unwrapped toy to the Falcons' Wives and Girlfriends Table at Saturday's game and receive a coupon good for a free junior ticket with a paid adult ticket for a future game. The toys are being collected to be distributed by Falcons players during Holiday hospital visits in the area and will benefit area children at Baystate Medical Center's Childrens' Hospital, Shriners Hospital, USO Family Services at Westover ARB, and the MSPCC.

This Week's Game Schedule:

Fri., Dec. 12th Falcons at Albany River Rats 7:00 PM Pepsi Arena

Sat., Dec. 13th Falcons vs. Portland Pirates 7:35 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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