Falcons Weekly Notes
Published on February 6, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
THIS WEEK'S GAME PREVIEWS
--WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2007 at Lowell Devils --
The Falcons head to Lowell to take on the Devils. Lowell currently sits three points ahead of the Falcons in the standings. This is the 7th time the teams meet and the 4th time at Tsongas Arena. The season series is tied at 3 games apiece, with the Falcons holding a 2-1 edge over the Devils at their home rink. A home loss against the Devils less than two weeks ago sits fresh in the minds of the Falcons. The Falcons lost a 3-0 lead and allowed the Devils to score five unanswered goals.
Team captain Norm Milley and Eric Healey have enjoyed great success this season against the Devils. In six games the two have combined for 18 points. Milley with three goals and seven assists and Healey with four goals and four assists. The Falcons will look to these two players to give the team a much needed boost. The Falcons are marred in a seven-game losing streak.
Chris Minard and Justin Papineau continue to lead the Devils in scoring with 29 points each. Goaltender Frank Doyle has played in 32 games for Lowell collecting a record of 14-16-1 with a 2.60 goals against average and .914 save percentage.
--FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2007 vs Hartford Wolf Pack--
The Wolf Pack travel north to take on the Falcons in the first of back-to-back home games for the Falcons. The Falcons look to bounce back form their last meeting with the Pack where they were outshot 55-22. Karri Ramo gave the Falcons every chance to win the game by stopping 53 shots, a season high. In the end a power play goal from Doug O'Brien was the only offense the Falcons could generate. The Falcons lost 2-1.
The Falcons look to even the season series out at three games apiece and also look to get their power play back on track. The Falcons are two for their last 25. In five meetings with the Pack this season, the Birds are seven for 34 with the man advantage.
The Wolf Pack has been rolling as of late winning eight times in their last 10 games. Pack goaltenders Stephen Valiquette and Al Montoya have been very steady. The two goalies have split a good amount of time this season. Both are in the top 10 in goals against average. Valiquette ranks 5th with a 2.29 gaa and Montoya ranks 7th with a 2.40 gaa.
--SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2007 vs Hartford Wolf Pack --
The Wolf Pack return to the MassMutual Center on a night in which the Falcons honor former captain Rob Murray. Wolf Pack rookie Ryan Callahan leads the team with 29 goals and 13 assists, good for 42 points.
--SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2007 at Manchester Monarchs --
The Falcons travel to Manchester for a Sunday matinee with the Monarchs. The Monarchs have preyed on the Falcons this season taking victories away from five of the six games between the two teams. The only win the Falcons have against the Monarchs came back on December 1, 2006 when Norm Milley scored in overtime to secure the win.
Matt Moulson, who is second on the team in points, 13-17-30, has been a big factor for the Monarchs when playing the Falcons. In six games, Moulson has scored three goals and has collected two assists. Back on January 15th, Moulson was named the number one star of the game after recording a goal and an assist.
The Monarchs have been dominant as of late winning nine of their last 10 including victories over Atlantic Division rivals Providence, Lowell and Springfield.
LAST WEEK'S GAME RECAPS
--FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2007 AT Syracuse Crunch L - 5-0 -
Crunch goaltender Dan LaCosta recorded his first shutout of the year by stopping 22 shots. Forward Geoff Platt scored two goals and added an assist on a goal by defensemen Derrick Walser. Jonathan Boutin took over for Karri Ramo at the start of the 3rd and stopped all 12 shots he faced. The Falcons, hoping to boost their offense, debuted forwards Kyle Wanvig and Stephen Baby.
--SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2007 AT Toronto Marlies L - 3-1--
The Falcons continued their losing streak against the Marlies and continued to struggle putting shots on net. The Falcons were only able to muster up 23 shots. Doug O'Brien scored his 6th of the year on the power play. Toronto's Colin Murphy and John Mitchell scored first period goals while defenseman Brad Leeb added an insurance goal in the third.
--SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2007 AT Binghamton Senators L - 3-2-(SO)
The Falcons stormed back in the third period to overcome a two-goal deficit to force overtime. Marek Kvapil scored his 10th of the year on the power play to bring the Birds within one. Eric Healey tied the game with just over five minuets to go. After a scoreless overtime period, former Falcon Ryan Vesce scored twice in the shootout to win it for Binghamton. Kyle Wanvig showed off his dangerous shot netting the only goal the Falcons scored in the shootout. Goaltender Karri Ramo finished the night with 43 saves.
PLAYER/TEAM NOTES:
The Springfield Falcons behind the strong play of goaltender Karri Ramo salvaged a point on Sunday losing to the Binghamton Senators 3-2 in a shootout concluding their three-game weekend road trip with a mark of 0-2-0-1. Ramo was the game's top star on Sunday making 43 saves.
Forwards Kyle Wanvig and Stephen Baby both made their Falcons debuts on Friday, February 2 in Syracuse after being part of a trade that sent the duo to the Tampa Bay Lightning organization from the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for defenseman Andy Delmore and forward Andre Deveaux. Both Wanvig and Baby were assigned to the Falcons by the Lightning. Wanvig scored in the shootout on Sunday for the Falcons.
Left wing Justin Keller returned to the Springfield lineup on Friday, February 2 after missing 19 games with an ankle injury.
Left wing Mitch Fritz played in his 200th career AHL game on February 4 at Binghamton.
Defenseman Doug O'Brien played in his 200th career pro game on February 4 at Binghamton.
Falcons forward Eric Healey is only 10 games shy of 500 career AHL games played.
INJURIES
No current injuries.
ON THE FARM - JOHNSTOWN CHIEFS
The Chiefs completed the home-and-home sweep against the Reading Royals over the weekend. Dmitri Tarabrin scored the game winner in overtime as the Chiefs skated away with a 3-2 victory on enemy ice. Game two of the home-and-home on February 3rd saw the Chiefs win easily 4-1. Randy Rowe scored nine seconds into the first period lighting a spark for the Chiefs offense. Rowe added a second goal late in the third securing the win. Morgan Cey made 34 saves for the win. The Chiefs are in action again Wednesday February 7, when they travel to Cincinnati to take on the Cyclones.
OUT AND ABOUT IN THE COMMUNITY
Family Fun Nights at Friendly's Return: Friendly Ice Cream is proud to announce "Family Fun Nights at Friendly's" to benefit Springfield Falcons Charities, Inc. Falcons players and Screech meet and greet fans at area Friendly's Restaurants throughout the Pioneer Valley.
February 13 @ 65 Sumner Ave., Springfield
March 19 @ Southampton Rd., Westfield (at Mass Pike entrance)
Icing and Blue Line Candle - Pilgrim Candle: The Falcons are proud to partner with Pilgrim Candle to introduce the Falcons Icing and Blue Line Candle. The candle features the Falcons' blue colors and the scents of Butter Cream Cookie together with Blackberry Bramble. These delightful and charitable decorations will be sold at scheduled Falcons games throughout the season and Pilgrim Candle stores in Westfield and South Hadley. Great for home, the office or anywhere to show your Falcons spirit and enjoy an engaging scent, the candles cost $18.25 with proceeds benefiting Springfield Falcons Charities, Inc. The program has thus far donated over $375,000 to children related organizations over the last nine seasons. Special thanks to Pilgrim Candle, Dion Label and Aucella & Associates for making this project happen.
WEEK IN REVIEW
FEBRUARY 2 Springfield - 0 at Syracuse Crunch - 5 (Goal Scorers - None)
FEBRUARY 3 Springfield -1 vs Toronto Marlies - 3(Goal Scorers - O'Brien)
FEBRUARY 4 Springfield - 2 at Binghamton Senators - 3 (Goal Scorers - Kvapil, Healey) (SO)
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE
FEBRUARY 7 Springfield at Lowell Devils 7:05PM Paul E. Tsongas Arena
FEBRUARY 9 Springfield vs Hartford Wolf Pack 7:35PM MassMutual Center
FEBRUARY 10 Springfield vs Hartford Wolf Pack 7:05PM MassMutual Center
FEBRUARY 11 Springfield at Manchester Monarchs 4:05PM Verizon Wireless Arena
*Radio Broadcasts on The Zone 640 AM
*Watch Live on the B-2 Network
American Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2007
- Winnik leads four-goal Rampage to lift San Antonio over Iowa - San Antonio Rampage
- Kopriva, Houston stay hot in Aeros 2-1 win - Houston Aeros
- Aeros Get Shootout Win Vs. Knights, 2-1 - Abbotsford Heat
- Wild recalls RW Joel Ward - Houston Aeros
- Monarchs Announce Front Office Changes - Manchester Monarchs
- Thoresen back to Pens, Glenn released - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Falcons Weekly Notes - Springfield Falcons
- Bulldogs announce details of Courage to beâ¦"ME" event - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Admirals See Bump in Attendance - Milwaukee Admirals
- Calder Cup Kids Night February 7 - Hershey Bears
- All-Star warm-up jerseys up for auction to benefit AHL charities - AHL
- Snow Game Rescheduled for March 6 - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Crunch Announce Details of DealMaker Auto Group 'Test Drive For Tickets' - Syracuse Crunch
- Coyotes Recall Jones From San Antonio - San Antonio Rampage
- Moose end winless streak at five games - Manitoba Moose
- Wolves Sweethearts Share The Love - Chicago Wolves
- Crunch Announce Details of Partners Trust Youth Hockey Practices with the Crunch - Syracuse Crunch
- Amerks prepare for four games in five nights - Rochester Americans
- Aeros Gameday - Houston Aeros
- LaCosta Shines in Back-to-Back Games - Syracuse Crunch
- Lowell picks up points with overtime thrillers - Albany Devils
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