Falcons Weekly Notes

Published on January 23, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


THIS WEEK'S GAME PREVIEWS

--WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2006 AT HARTFORD WOLF PACK--

The Springfield Falcons will travel to Hartford on Wednesday night to face the Wolf Pack. This will be Springfield's first visit to Hartford since October 14. The Falcons have a record of 2-1-0-1 against the Wolf Pack this season, including a 1-0 record in Hartford. The Falcons beat the Wolf Pack back on October 14, 2-1, led by a 38-save performance by goaltender Brian Eklund. The Wolf Pack (23-14-2-5) is currently in third place in the AHL's Atlantic Division. Wolf Pack center Alexandre Giroux is ranked first in the league for short handed goals with five, while left wing Nigel Dawes is ranked ninth in rookie scoring, just behind Springfield's Ryan Vesce. Dawes has 20 goals and 15 assists in 35 games this season. Rookie goaltender Al Montoya has posted a record of 14-5-0 with a 2.47 goals against average and .913 save percentage this season. Hartford defenseman Thomas Pock is seventh in the AHL in scoring among defenseman with six goals and 24 assists for 30 points in 39 games played.

--FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2006 AT PORTLAND PIRATES--

On Friday night, the Falcons will travel to Portland to face the first-place Pirates. It will be the sixth meeting of the season between these two divisional rivals and Springfield's third visit to Portland. After beating the Pirates opening night, the Falcons have gone 0-3-1-0 against Portland. These two teams last met in Portland on December 31st with the Falcons losing in overtime, 5-4. Portland's right winger Dustin Penner is fourth in the league in scoring with 26 goals and 27 assists for 53 points in 34 games and had the game-winner on New Year's Eve. Center Ryan Shannon is ranked second in rookie scoring with 14 goals and 31 assists for 45 points in 35 games.

--SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2006 VS. PROVIDENCE BRUINS--

The Falcons will be visited by the Providence Bruins on Saturday night at the MassMutual Center. The Bruins have won both games in Springfield this season and are ranked fourth in the AHL's Atlantic Division with a record of 23-17-1-1 good for 48 points. The two teams played in Providence on January 22nd with the Falcons losing 8-2. Marek Kvapil and Chris Dingman scored the Falcons goals, while goaltender Gerald Coleman was the losing netminder. Providence's Tim Thomas is fifth in the league for save percentage at .923, but is currently on recall to their National Hockey League affiliate, the Boston Bruins. Eric Healey continues to lead the Bruins in scoring with 19 goals and 22 assists for 41 points in 37 games this season.

--SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2006 VS. PORTLAND PIRATES--

On Sunday, the Falcons will face the Portland Pirates again, this time in Springfield for the fourth time this season. The Falcons have a 1-2-0-0 home record against the Pirates this year. The last time the Falcons hosted Portland was December 16th. Marek Kvapil, David Spina and Jim Campbell all scored for the Falcons, but the game ended in a 4-3 loss for Springfield.

LAST WEEK'S GAME RECAPS

---Game 1 - Springfield vs. Norfolk, January 20 - W 5-2---

The Springfield Falcons beat the Norfolk Admirals on Friday night at the MassMutual Center. Mitch Fritz earned the game's first star netting a pair of goals in the win. After falling behind 1-0, the Falcons scored four unanswered goals led by Mike Egener, Fritz, Ryan Vesce and David Spina. Brian Eklund collected the win in goal making 28 saves. Newly acquired Dan Cavanaugh collected two assists in his Falcons debut earning the game's second star.

---Game 2 - Springfield vs. Lowell, January 21 - W 3-2 (ot)---

The Springfield Falcons won their second straight game beating the Lowell Lock Monsters in overtime Saturday night at the MassMutual Center. Dan Cavanaugh gave the Falcons a 1-0 lead at 9:25 of the first period, but Lowell evened the score at 1-1 on the power play late in the opening period. Springfield regained a 2-1 lead at 1:09 of the second period when David Spina converted on the man advantage. Lowell came back again and tied the score at 2-2 when Krys Kolanos scored on the power play at 7:36 of the middle period. Marek Kvapil netted the game-winner at the 1:51 mark of the extra session.

---Game 3 - Springfield at Providence, January 22 - L 8-2---

The Falcons lost their final game of the week on Sunday at the Dunkin Donuts Center. Springfield trailed 2-1 at the end of the first period, with their only goal scored by Marek Kvapil. Chris Dingman scored Springfield's second and final goal at 1:21 of the third period. Garret Stroshein, Eric Healey, Michael Schutte, Pascal Pelletier, Jeremy Reich, Nathan Robinson, and Ben Guite all scored for the Providence Bruins.

PLAYER / TEAM NOTES:

Center Dan Cavanaugh made his Falcons debut on January 20, collecting two assists and earning the game's second star. He earned the game's second star on January 21 upon scoring his first goal as a Falcon.

Falcons defenseman Doug O'Brien has assists in three straight games.

Falcons center Ryan Vesce collected one goal and two assists in three games last week.

Falcons center Jason Jaspers was recalled for the Tampa Bay Lightning's 2-0 win on January 21 at the Philips Arena in Atlanta. He returned to the Falcons on Sunday, January 22 for the game in Providence. Jaspers leads the Falcons in scoring this season.

Mitch Fritz scored two goals and earned the game's first star on Friday night against Norfolk. Fritz now has six goals this season, a new career high.

Goaltender Brian Ecklund collected consecutive victories beating Norfolk on Friday and Lowell on Saturday. The win on January 20 was his first since October 21.

INJURY REPORT

Falcons forward Steve McLaren and right wing Darren Reid missed games due to injury.

TRANSACTION REPORT

1-20-06 - Tampa Bay Lightning loan Jim Campbell to Philadelphia.

1-20-06 - Philadelphia Phantoms loan Dan Cavanaugh to the Springfield Falcons.

1-21-06 - Tampa Bay Lightning recall Jason Jaspers from the Springfield Falcons.

1-22-06 - Tampa Bay Lightning reassign Jason Jaspers to the Springfield Falcons.

ON THE FARM - JOHNSTOWN CHIEFS

The Johnstown Chiefs (15-17-8) went 1-2-0 last week, beating Reading 5-1 on Wednesday but losing to Toledo on Friday and Reading on Saturday. Wednesday's win was their first home win against Reading this season. Johnstown continues to struggle against Toledo in the series, which Toledo leads 3-1-1. Both of Johnstown's games are on the road this week with Friday's game in Dayton against the Bombers and Saturday's game at the Wheeling Nailers.

FALCONS NEW TICKET PLANS: The Springfield Falcons, proud members of the American Hockey League, announced today two new ticket plans for the remainder of the 2005-06 season. In conjunction with the new ticket plans, the Falcons also announced that starting on January 11, fans can start entering to win a VIP trip for two to the April 9th game at Providence, sponsored by Advance Auto Parts.

Both new ticket plans provide fans with flexibility in attending Falcons home games as the team begins the second half of their home schedule. The first new ticket package is titled the "Saturday Super Pack" and focuses on four remaining Saturday home games for the Falcons.

For just $50 for adults and $32 for youth/students/seniors, fans can attend games on January 28 Vs. Providence, February 18 Vs. Wilkes-Barre Scranton, March 18 Vs. Providence and April 15 Vs. Portland and receive the following benefits:

- Savings off the box office price

- No waiting in box office lines

- Playoff Priority

- Same seat(s) for all four games

- Chance to win autographed Falcons goalie stick

- Falcons Team Store discount (10%)

- Deadline to order is January 26, 2006

A second new ticket plan the Falcons unveiled was a Five-Game Flex Pack, offering fans even more flexibility to attend Springfield home games. The Five-Game Flex Pack is a block of five vouchers that can be redeemed for tickets to any remaining Falcons home game. Vouchers may be redeemed at the MassMutual Center Box Office either in advance or the day of the game. Seat locations are subject to availability.

Five-Game Flex Pack Pricing and Benefits:

- Sideline Seating - $65 for adults and $45 for youth/students/seniors

- Goal Zone Seating - $62.50 for adults and $40 for youth/students/seniors

- Savings off the box office price

- Chance to win autographed Falcons goalie stick

- Playoff Priority

- Falcons Team Store discount (10%)



American Hockey League Stories from January 23, 2006


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