Playoff Push Continues as Falcons Host Sharks Tonight

Published on February 19, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


The Springfield Falcons and Worcester Sharks meet for the sixth time this season tonight at the MassMutual Center. It is the second time in nine days that Worcester has played in Springfield.

Springfield is 1-3-0-1 this year against Worcester, with their only win on the season coming in a 3-2 shootout on the road on January 9. Three of the five games have been one-goal games, two of which ending in shootouts. The Falcons and Sharks are currently separated by just two points in the Atlantic Division standings as they both are battling Connecticut for that third and final guaranteed playoff spot in the division. The Falcons are five points behind Connecticut, while Worcester is three points behind the Whale. MOORE BACK WITH FALCONS - The Columbus Blue Jackets assigned defenseman John Moore back to the Springfield Falcons on Saturday. Moore, who is a native of Chicago, was recalled on Thursday and played for Columbus in Chicago on Friday night.

Moore, 20, made his NHL debut vs. Edmonton on February 5. He had a +1 plus/minus rating and one blocked shot last night at Chicago. 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:

David Savard had his first two-goal game of his pro career with two markers last night, including the overtime game-winner.

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

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

Tomas Kubalik currently leads all AHL rookies in scoring with 17 goals and 20 assists for 37 points in 54 games played. Kubalik added an assist on Wednesday night and he now has points in seven of his last 10 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 four-game scoring streak having collected six assists in that span.

Kyle Wilson has three goals and one assist in his last three games, including a pair of goals against Manchester on February 13.

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

SHARKS PLAYER/TEAM NOTES:

Jonathan Cheechoo is on a three-game scoring streak collecting three goals and one assist in that span.

Justin Braun has points in five straight games collecting one goal and five assists in that span.

SHARKS GAME RECAP (COURTESY OF SHARKSAHL.COM)

ALBANY, NY - The Sharks led 4-1 midway through the third period but Albany came roaring back aided by three late power plays as Worcester fell 5-4 to the Devils on Friday evening at the Times Union Center. Former Shark Steve Zalewski scored with just five seconds remaining in the game to complete the comeback for Albany on home ice. Jonathan Cheechoo scored twice and Jeff Jakaitis made 40 saves in net in his Sharks debut in just his 2nd AHL game. It was only the 5th time in 26 games that the Sharks lost in regulation after scoring the first goal of the game (20-5-0-1). Jamie McGinn (1-1-2), Justin Braun (1-1-2), and Mike Swift (0-2-2) all recorded two points in the Sharks 2nd straight loss on the road. Neither team could find the back of the net in the opening frame with Sharks goaltender Jeff Jakaitis making ten saves and Dave Caruso turning away eight Worcester shots for the Devils. Each team had several odd man rushes but was unable to convert in the first period. Jonathan Cheechoo (16th) scored in his 2nd straight game for the Sharks as he roofed a rebound chance past Dave Caruso at 1:37 of the 2nd period to give Worcester a 1-0 lead. Mike Swift picked up his first point as a Shark with an assist on the score. Jamie McGinn (3rd) deflected in a Sean Sullivan wrist shot from the left circle on the power play that snuck over Caruso's shoulder and just found room inside the top far corner to give Worcester a 2-0 lead. Devils captain Stephen Gionta (9th) sent a wrister by Jeff Jakaitis from the left circle after a nice feed by former Shark Steve Zalewski at 12:46 to get Albany on the board. The Sharks lit the lamp again on the power play as Justin Braun (5th) kept in a clearing attempt and sent a laser snap shot from on top of the left circle to give the Sharks a 3-1 lead at 17:31. Mike Moore and John McCarthy each dropped the mitts for Worcester in a feisty middle frame as the Sharks led by two goals after forty minutes of play. In the third period, Jonathan Cheechoo (17th) banged home another loose rebound at 8:27 after Mike Swift was denied by Caruso to put Worcester ahead 4-1. After Frazer McLaren and Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblonde fought at 10:39 things went quickly downhill for the Sharks as the Devils scored four goals unanswered. Brad Mills (8th) started the comeback at 10:56 with an unassisted goal after a turnover in the Sharks zone. Matt Anderson (17th) struck on the power play at 12:40 to pull the Devils within a goal. With Caruso on the bench for an extra attacker, Adam Henrique (17th) tied the score with 53 seconds remaining after he jammed the puck past Jakaitis. After a brief scrum in the Albany end, the Devils were awarded another power play and former Shark Steve Zalewski buried a loose puck into the net with five seconds remaining to win the game for the Devils 5-4.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 19, 2011


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