Springfield Falcons Weekly Notes

Published on November 14, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


THIS WEEK'S GAME PREVIEWS

--WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2006 VS Hershey Bears--

Springfield hosts the Hershey Bears for the first time this season in a mid-week game on Wednesday. Springfield will be coming off an inspiring win against Portland that snapped a two-game losing streak.

Hershey is on a two game road winning streak after beating the Manitoba Moose twice in their meetings this past weekend. The Bears beat the Moose 4-2 on Friday, followed by a 7-3 win on Saturday. Hershey's record boasts a strong 10-1-0-0, good for second place in the East Division. Hershey is a perfect 8-0-0-0 on the road this season outscoring their opponents 40-22 in that span.

Hershey is led offensively by Eric Fehr, who has nine goals and seven assists for 16 points in 12 games played. Tomas Fleischmann is averaging two points a game for the Bears with eight goals and six assists for 14 points in just seven games played. Goaltender Frederic Cassivi is ninth in the AHL with a 2.38 goals against average, while he also leads the league in wins with seven.

--FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2006 VS Toronto Marlies-

Toronto comes all the way to Springfield Friday night in the first ever meeting between the Falcons and Marlies. The Marlies recently lost 2-1 to the Hamilton Bulldogs this past Saturday. Toronto has a record of 5-8-1-0 through 14 games good for fifth place in the Western Conference's North Division.

Former Falcon Erik Westrum ranks among the top in the league in goal scorers and shots. Westrum leads the Marlies in scoring with five goals and 11 assists for 16 points in 14 games. Westrum collected 106 points in 199 career games with Springfield from 2001-2004. Westrum ranks ninth on the Falcons all-time games played list. Goaltender Justin Pogge ranks among leading goalies in the league with a 2.59 goals against average and .923 save percentage. Marlies Chris Harrington ranks fourth in the league in defenseman scorers with three goals and 10 points total on the season. Toronto is 3-5 within their division and 2-3 outside their division.

--SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2006 AT Rochester Americans--

Springfield travels to Rochester Saturday concluding their season series with the Americans. Their first meeting of the season ended in a Springfield 5-4 loss, with the Falcons battling back from a three-goal deficit.

Rochester will be coming off a five game winning streak after overcoming the Chicago Wolves and improving their record to 12-1 on Sunday night. Rochester is a perfect 7-0-0-0 on home ice this season. Clarke MacArthur had a hat trick for Rochester in their win over Chicago on Sunday. MacArthur leads Rochester in scoring with 13 points in 13 games. Goaltender Craig Anderson has the league's best goals against average at 1.23 and the best save percentage at .959.

LAST WEEK'S GAME RECAPS

--SPRINGFIELD vs PORTLAND, NOVEMBER 10 - L 4-0-

The Falcons couldn't manage to add a third win to their two game winning streak against Portland Friday. The Pirates shutout the Falcons 4-0 on Springfield ice, in front of 2,468 fans.

Portland started it off strong as Ryan Carter scored a power play goal at 11:20 of the opening period giving the Pirates the 1-0 advantage. The visiting team extended their lead to 3-0 in the second period when Zenon Konopka and Pierre Parenteau each tallied for Portland. Pirate right wing Simon Ferguson topped off the score at 6:16 of the third to make it 4-0. The lone Falcons' bright spot was goaltender Karri Ramo's 39 saves. Portland out shot Springfield 43 to 18, while earning all three of the game's stars.

--SPRINGFIELD vs MANCHESTER NOVEMBER 11 - L 4-2--

The Falcons lost their second game in a row on Saturday night, which was also their second home loss of the season against the Manchester Monarchs. Manchester built themselves a 4-0 first period lead as they received a pair of goals from Matt Moulson and one each from Patrick O'Sullivan and Bryan Schmidt. Zdenek Blatny scored on the power play at 13:53 of the second period for Springfield, while Norm Milley followed in the third period at 1:27. Falcons goaltender Jonathan Boutin was solid in relief of starter Sean Burke stopping all 15 shots he faced. Defenseman Doug O'Brien left the game in the second period with a head injury after Manchester's Petr Kanko was whistled for boarding.

--SPRINGFIELD at PORTLAND, NOVEMBER 12 - W 4-2-

Springfield and Portland met again on Sunday, but this time the tables were turned. Portland started it off strong again as center Zenon Konopka opened the scoring at 2:58 of the first period, but Marek Kvapil evened the score at 11:18 of the first period.

Falcons Justin Keller and Daniel Corso both scored power play goals in the second period, making it 3-1 for the Falcons. This was Corso's third game as a member of the Lightning organization and his first marker in a Falcons uniform. Keller added his second goal of the game in the third period earning the game's first star.

PLAYER/TEAM NOTES:

Falcons left wing Zdenek Blatny led the Falcons' offense this past week scoring one goal and added three assists in three games played. Blatny was the game's second star on Saturday night against Manchester collecting one goal and one assist, followed by a two-assist effort on Sunday afternoon in Portland. Blatny is now fourth on the Falcons in scoring with five goals and six assists for 11 points in 12 games played.

Rookie left wing Justin Keller was the game's first star on Sunday in Portland scoring two goals and added one assist in a Springfield 4-2 win over the Pirates. Keller is now fifth on the team in scoring with four goals and six assists for 10 points in 14 games played, and he has also moved up to 18th in the AHL rookie scoring race.

Center Daniel Corso made his Falcons debut on Friday, November 10 against Portland, one day after being acquired by the Falcons' NHL affiliate, the Tampa Bay Lightning, from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Darren Reid. Corso scored the game-winning goal and added one assist on Sunday in Portland, his first two points as a member of the Falcons.

INJURIES

Defensemen Doug O'Brien and Andy Rogers both missed games due to injury.

TRANSACTIONS

11-9-06 - Tampa Bay Lightning acquire Daniel Corso from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Darren Reid.

ON THE FARM - JOHNSTOWN CHIEFS

The Chiefs faced off with the Charlotte Checkers Friday, losing 5-1. They tried to rebound on Saturday against the Toledo Storm, but came up short with a 3-2 loss. Sunday the Chiefs earned a win over the Reading Royals 5-3. The Chiefs face three different teams again this week, with meetings against the Trenton Titans, Wheeling Nailers and Dayton Bombers.

OUT AND ABOUT IN THE COMMUNITY

Falcons Canned Food Drive: The Falcons are proud to announce their collection dates for their Annual Canned Food Drive for the holidays. Fans who donate canned goods to the Falcons games on November 10, 11, 15 & 17 will receive a discount coupon for the Wednesday, November 22 game vs Portland.

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.

November 13 @ 529 Memorial Dr., Chicopee

November 27 @ 19 Springfield St., Agawam

December 11 @ 95 Elm St., Enfield, CT

February 13 @ 65 Sumner Ave., Springfield

March 19 @ Southampton Rd., Westfield (at Mass Pike entrance)

Holiday Shopping with the Falcons @ Toys 'R' Us: The Falcons will be hosting their fans for a great night of shopping at Toys 'R' Us, 1686 Boston Rd., Springfield on Sunday, December 10 from 6-8 p.m. Fans will have the opportunity to shop with their favorite Falcons player by purchasing a $1 raffle ticket at games from November 10 through December 2 at the Community Relations table located behind section 31. Raffles will be held throughout the event with proceeds to benefit Springfield Falcons Charities, Inc.

WEEK IN REVIEW

NOVEMBER 10 Springfield-0 vs Portland-4

NOVEMBER 11 Springfield-2 vs Manchester-4 (Goal scorers -Blatny, Milley)

NOVEMBER 12 Springfield-4 at Portland-2 (Goal scorers -Kvapil, Keller(2), Corso)

THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE

NOVEMBER 15 Springfield vs Hershey 7:05 PM MassMutual Center

NOVEMBER 17 Springfield vs Toronto 7:35 PM MassMutual Center

NOVEMBER 18 Springfield at Rochester 7:35 PM The Blue Cross Arena

*Radio Broadcasts on The Zone 640 AM

*Watch Live on the B-2 Network

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American Hockey League Stories from November 14, 2006


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