Playoff Push Continues - Falcons Host Monarchs Tonight

February 18, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


The Springfield Falcons and Manchester Monarchs meet for the eighth time this season and this will their second match-up in the last six days. The Falcons are 2-5 against Manchester this year, including a 5-3 loss this past Sunday in Manchester.

Manchester currently sits atop the Atlantic Division with a 33-17-1-5 record good for 72 points this season. Manchester brings a two-game winning streak to The Nest improving their record to 3-1-0-2 in the month of February. The Monarchs play three games this weekend, two of which being on the road.

Marc-Andre Cliche has six points (2-4-6) against the Falcons this season, while Brandon Kozun has three goals and two assists against Springfield this year. Defenseman Viatcheslav Voynov leads Manchester in scoring with 12 goals and 27 assists for 39 points in 52 games this season. He also leads all AHL defensemen in scoring this year.

Falcons captain Ben Guite has three goals and one assist in six games against the Monarchs this year. Maksim Mayorov has six points in his last four games going into this week including an assist against Manchester last Sunday.

FALCONS BEAT SOUND TIGERS: The Falcons beat the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 4-3 in a shootout on Wednesday night at the MassMutual Center. Trevor Smith scored in the fifth round of the shootout, while goaltender Gustaf Wesslau stopped all five shooters in the extra session in leading the Falcons to their 25th win of the season.

The Falcons entered the third period with a one goal lead, but Bridgeport rallied with a pair of markers in the final session to take a one goal advantage of their own. David Ullstrom tied the score at 2-2 when he converted on the power play at 1:47, followed by Justin DiBenedetto scoring his 13th goal of the year during a Falcons' delayed penalty at 4:40 of the third period giving the Sound Tigers a 3-2 advantage.

Just 35-seconds after Bridgeport took the lead, Brent Regner tied the score at 3-3 when his slap shot from the right point found the back of the net.

After a scoreless first period, Kyle Wilson gave the Falcons a 1-0 lead just 33-seconds into the middle period when he scored his seventh goal of the year. Bridgeport tied the score at 1-1 when Eric Castonguay converted at the 10:00 mark of the middle frame. Smith regained the Falcons lead just 46-seconds later when he scored his 17th marker of the year.

BLUE JACKETS NOTES: The Columbus Blue Jackets have placed right wing Derek Dorsett on injured reserve retroactive to February 11 and recalled defenseman John Moore from the Springfield Falcons, the club's American Hockey League affiliate, Blue Jackets Executive Vice President and General Manager Scott Howson announced Thursday. Dorsett was injured against Colorado on February 11 and is listed as day-to-day.

Moore, 20, made his NHL debut vs. Edmonton on February 5. He has tallied three goals and 16 assists for 19 points and 12 penalty minutes in 48 games with Springfield this season, which is his first as a professional. He leads all Falcons defensemen in assists, while ranking second in points.

FALCONS PLAYER/TEAM NOTES:

Defenseman Nick Holden is on a three-game scoring streak having collected four assists in that span.

Maksim Mayorov has two goals and two assists in his last two games played. Mayorov also has three goals and three assists in his last four games played.

Tomas Kubalik currently leads all AHL rookies in scoring with 17 goals and 20 assists for 37 points in 53 games played. Kubalik added an assist on Wednesday night and he now has points in seven of his last nine games totaling three goals and seven assists in that span. Kubalik also currently leads the Falcons in scoring on the season.

Tom Sestito is on a three-game scoring streak having collected five assists in that span.

Kyle Wilson has three goals in his last two games, including a pair against Manchester on February 13.

Trevor Smith has three goals and one assist in his last three games played.

MANCHESTER PLAYER NOTES:

Oscar Moller has one goal and three assists in his last two games, including a three-point effort on February 13 against the Falcons.

Dwight King has collected three goals and one assist in his last two games, including a pair of goals on February 12 against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. King is currently tied with Bud Holloway for the team lead in goals with 17.

Brandon Kozun has three goals in his last two games and he is currently 15th in the league in rookie scoring.



American Hockey League Stories from February 18, 2011


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