Falcons to Welcome Stanley Cup, Host Pirates and Monarchs this Weekend

October 28, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, Mass. – A visit by the Stanley Cup will be a large part of a busy hockey weekend in Springfield. On the ice, the Falcons (1-4-1-0, 3 pts.) will challenge the 4-1 Portland Pirates on Friday and the undefeated Manchester Monarchs on Saturday at the Springfield Civic Center. The Falcons announced earlier this week that the start time for Saturday's contest versus Manchester has been changed to 4:05 p.m. to avoid conflict with a potential World Series' game. Even though the Boston Red Sox wrapped up the Series with a four-game sweep, the Falcons' game on Saturday will still begin at 4:05 p.m.

Team Notes: Falcons C Craig Darby needs one assist to reach 400 for his professional career.... The next point registered by RW Shane Willis will be the 300th of his career.... Falcons G Jamie Storr made an AHL season-high 47 saves against the Hartford Wolf Pack on Sunday.... Rookie forwards Nick Tarnasky and Andre Deveaux each posted their first goals as professionals at Portland last Friday.... D Terry Virtue scored his first goal as a Falcon on Sunday at Hartford.... D Mike Egener ranks second among both AHL defensemen and rookies and fifth in the league overall in penalty minutes (PIM) with 51.... Storr leads the AHL this season with 184 saves.... The Falcons first game outside the Atlantic Division will be against Jason Spezza and the Binghamton Senators on Nov. 21 in Springfield.... Rookies Adam Henrich, Darren Reid, Doug O'Brien, Tarnasky, Egener, and Deveaux have each played all six Falcons' games to this point in this season.

Roster Update: RW Nikita Alexeev and LW Mitch Fritz are currently out of the Falcons' lineup with injuries .... D Gerard Dicaire continues to rehab following off-season surgery.

Upcoming Opponents:

Falcons vs. Portland Pirates

Friday, Oct. 29

The Falcons face the Pirates (4-1-0-0, 8 pts.) in the second of 10 meetings between the division rivals this season.... Portland downed the Falcons, 3-2 in overtime, in Maine last Friday. Pirates RW Jared Aulin scored the game-winner 2:19 into the extra session.... The Falcons hold an all-time record of 42-32-9 versus the Pirates.... The Pirates one loss this season came in their only road game played so far.... Portland center Trent Whitfield is tied for ninth in AHL scoring with eight points (4g, 4a) and shares the league lead with two shorthanded goals (2). The 27-year-old is riding a five-game scoring streak having notched at least a point in each Pirates' game this season.... The Pirates have scored three shorthanders this season to lead the AHL.... Portland ranks second in the league in power-play success (26.7%) and sixth in penalty killing (93.8%).... Portland's Steve Eminger is tied for third among AHL defensemen in assists (5).... The Falcons and Pirates will meet for the third consecutive Friday on Nov. 5 in Springfield.

Falcons vs. Manchester Monarchs

Saturday, Oct. 30

The Falcons take on the Monarchs for the first time this season.... Springfield split last season's series with a record of 5-5-0-0 against Manchester.... The Falcons carry an all-time record of 8-11-1 versus the Monarchs.... The Monarchs have outscored their opponents, 22-8, through their first four games this season.... Manchester's goals per game average of 5.5 leads the AHL. The Worcester IceCats rank second in the league with an average of 4.2 goals per game.... RW Tom Kostopoulos has registered two assists in each of the Monarchs' first four games and ranks second in the league in assists (8). The forward leads the AHL in plus/minus at +9.... Manchester C Yanick Lehoux is tied for second in AHL goal scoring with six markers this season.... Goaltenders Adam Hauser and Mathieu Garon have each collected two wins for the Monarchs.... All three goals scored this season by former Falcon Brad Smyth have come on the power play.... Six of the eight goals scored by Manchester opponents this season have been scored in the third period.

Upcoming Promotions:

Stanley Cup Night – Friday, Oct. 29: During a Springfield visit, the Stanley Cup will serve as the centerpiece of a mid-day luncheon at the Springfield Marriott and will be accessible to fans at the Civic Center prior and during the Falcons game versus Portland. The AHL's Calder Cup will also be present at the Stanley Cup luncheon.

Big Y Express Savings Card Discount Night – Saturday, Oct. 30: Fans can receive a $3 discount on tickets to Saturday's game against Manchester by presenting their Big Y Card at the Springfield Civic Center box office.

Radio Broadcasts:

Friday's Falcons game will not be carried on radio. Saturday's contest versus Manchester will be broadcast on The ZONE – Sports Radio 640. Voice of the Falcons Marc Shelanski calls the action. Fans can also listen live on the Internet by clicking on the MassLive.com Cybercast icon on the Falcons official web site, www.falconsahl.com.

Tickets:

Tickets for all Falcons' home games can be ordered in person or by phone through the Springfield Civic Center box office located along East Court Street. To order by phone, please call (413) 787-6600 or (800) 639-8602. Tickets can also be ordered online by visiting the Falcons' official web site, www.falconsahl.com. Groups of 15 or more can receive discount saving by contacting the Falcons' team office at (413) 739-3344.

This Week's Game Schedule:

Fri., Oct. 29 Falcons vs. Portland Pirates 7:35 PM Springfield Civic Center No Radio

Sat., Oct. 30 Falcons vs. Manchester Monarchs 4:05 PM Springfield Civic Center The ZONE



American Hockey League Stories from October 28, 2004


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