Now I understand that the OKC Barons might have one of Devan Dubnyk or Jeff Deslauriers -- and that's the best possible option -- to start the season. But if either one of them do not clear waivers or the Oilers decide to keep both with the big club, the Barons need another option as Bryan Pitton is not the answer.
In fact, I wouldn't cry if Pitton went to Stockton -- or which ever team the Oilers choose to affiliate with -- and was a tandem with Andrew Perugini. His (Pitton) best GAA was with the Thunder this past year. It's clear by his stats that he can't play at a higher level than the ECHL, and he's not a good enough goalie to bother keeping around the Barons. Worst comes to worst, he can be called up if needed or play as a back up. But according to Kevin Lowe, the Oilers organization is only going to operate in a forward motion. No more shortcuts. Wouldn't this include turfing Bryan Pitton and picking up a better goalie?
Well, to be honest, I don't really remember why I picked this guy. I don't. Maybe I seen him on TV or read about him somewhere? I can't remember. But there must have been a reason. *shrugs shoulders*
So let's take a look at what possibly makes him so special and why I think he should be signed to be a Baron.
He achieved his best career GAA this season (2.06) and he posted 5 shutouts. Not bad. He was 24W-15L-4T in 44 Games. Again, not bad. But most importantly, these games were played in the KHL (Balashikha MVD HC) so it wasn't like he's been playing in a bush league. I think we can all agree that the KHL is decent league. No? With an average that's that close to two goals against is pretty good. Take a look at the NHL stats, I think you can make your own assumptions.
Maybe I picked him because he's from Saskatoon, Sask? He's practically a local and possibly an Oiler fan. Maybe that's part of the reason I liked him? I don't know. Did I mention he played his junior hockey in Red Deer? Again, practically local. Or maybe I picked him because he has AHL experience by playing for a few years with the Chicago Wolves and he could easily step into a role in OKC and be comfortable?
I really don't remember. All I know is that I have had his name saved in my draft box for a while now. So I thought why not post this? Maybe someone else out there knows more about him and can fill me in on why I liked him at that time.
-Written by Smokin' Ray Burnt at Oilers Jambalaya-
Hey all! Been a while, I've been busy. But let me say how happy I am to see the Oilers affiliation go to OKC. I think Kevin Lowe and Steve Tambellini did a very good job in the moving process.
I am also impressed with the logo, colors, and jerseys. I think OKC is going to be a great place for our younger guys to grow. I really hope this franchise sticks unlike the last few AHL franchises the Oilers have created, (ahem, Roadrunners...)
Let me say though, it would have been nice for the team to be called the Oil Barons, but that's just my opinion. You guys give us your opinions on the move and the new AHL team.
I won't give you my assessment on the season because we all know how it was, and it's a little late now. But we should all be looking forward to the draft and the next season in Oil Country, because it should be a young, exciting one.
More off-season blogs to come!
-Nick "Oilers Fan" Walker-
p.s. Hall or Seguin? Give me your opinions. I'm on team Hall.
Yesterday I mentioned that one of the big questions during the chat with Bob Funk and Kevin Lowe, was about who would be playing in Oklahoma City next season.
Teemu Hartikainen is one player that could be starting in here. But if you look up Oklahoma City Barons on Wikipedia gives you an idea of who could be playing here.
The bloggers from Lowtide break down a roster on who could play, and who could get offered a contract from AHL free agency. If you were to compare the Wikipedia list and Lowtide's list. There are some notables names that aren't in Wikipedia's list. Like Chris Vande Velde, the Minnesota native just finished his college career at UND. Vande Velde and Eberle both spent time with the Falcons during the final games of the AHL regular season. There is alot of debate whether if Eberle will be in Edmonton or Oklahoma City at the start of next season. Eberle hasn't had much time off that past year, after playing in the World Jrs in Canada. Then playing with the Falcons, and now is playing in the World Championships.
Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson (a.k.a MPS) could be here, but he still doesn't have a contract with the Oilers. Steve Tambellini has been at the World Championships, watching all the Oilers prospects. And it's been rumored that he has a contract ready to offer to MPS.
Goaltending is another issue with the organization right now. Wikipedia has Devin Dubnyk listed on the roster, but if he gets assigned to Oklahoma City. He would have to clear waivers, before he could be assigned to OKC. Kevin Lowe did say in the chat the other night, that they are looking for an AHL veteran goalie. Someone who can handle taking most the games, between the pipes. Bryan Pitton spent most of the year back and forth between Stockton and Springfield. He has one year left on his entry level contract. And he needs to have a good season, to be offered a contract after the 2010-11 season.
Oklahoma City fans shouldn't get their hopes up too much about the #1 draft pick. Whether it's Hall or Seguin that gets drafted by the Oilers, either player will NOT be in Oklahoma City. The only that would be possible would be on a reconditioning stint. Some links which you could find out more about the Oilers prospects can be found here from Coppernblue.com. And some good info on Hockey's Future here about all the NHL's prospects.
It all started with a message from OilFieldHockey.com to me saying that he heard the new AHL team was going to be called the Oklahoma City Barons. (I had guessed the Oil Barons) He said it was from a good source and he really thought it was legit. We decided to wait on it (and not look stupid) and sure enough two days later, out of the blue, this tweet came out.
So with time until the PC, I had a lot of time to analyze those logos. I figured out how the layout would go and I assumed (and was right) that the Barons would use the Oilers jersey design. So I made a terrible photoshop version of my concept. I really can't believe how close I was. They should give me a free jersey just for guessing it correctly! *nudge, nudge*
Even through all that, I still had that feeling it was the Barons and this was just Prodigal Hockey trying to mess us up. I mean really... I had to be. I changed my banner and committed to the Barons and I wasn't turning back now.
Then finally the big day arrived. OFH was prepared and set to be at the Cox Convention Center for the big reveal. I was manning the TweetCast back here in Alberta.
The day went by so quick and the excitement level was really high. I'm sure all the people enjoyed their time down at the presser. I did enjoyed myself and I wasn't even there.
After all the commotion was over, Bob Funk Jr. and Kevin Lowe took the time to answer our questions and we all had a great time reading all the different responses. (very cool that they had those two answering our questions)
One thing I did learn from Prodigal Hockey and the OKC Barons tonight, they loved the fact that we (OFH and OJ) helped create the buzz that they so desperately needed. The respected the fact that we worked hard trying to find the real scoop on this team. I think they now have the same admiration for us as we have for them. I like them. This should be a nice friendship.
Thanks for bringing the OKC Barons into our lives Prodigal Hockey. You already have changed a lot of lives. Mine included.
Let me tell you, after all the constant digging and searching for the past two weeks, it felt good to post this. It felt like forever.
Welcome to the Oilers family Oklahoma City Barons & Prodigal Hockey.
Welcome to this very special LIVE *TweetCast* of the official unveiling from Prodigal Hockey for their new AHL hockey team In Oklahoma City.
OilFieldHockey.com is down at the Cox Convention Center today for the Official announcement of the new Edmonton Oilers AHL affiliate... THE OKLAHOMA CITY ???
Well, we don't know the name yet, but we do (and still) believe it will be the Barons.
You will see LIVE tweets from OilFieldHockey, ProdigalHockey, NHL_Oilers, OilersJambalaya, DanTencer, AHLBarons, & the OKC_Barons.
What name is it going to be? Barons? Bisons? Roughnecks? Twisters?
What colors are the jerseys?
Who's the special guest(s) that OilFieldHockey have confirmed that will be there? All these questions that we have had for months will be answered at 3:00pm MST/4:00 CST.
Tune in right here for the LIVE event. You don't want to miss this!
This banner is from the AHL's website, and was found looking up the Team Directory information. And it was suspected that the other names were nothing more then just a smoke screen by Prodigal.
As the Great Trademark search continues to yield clues on the potential names. Now the T-shirts have some supporting evidence this morning. As a trademark search finds OKC Bisons in the database, and here are some shots of it. There are no logos with the find, just a description of what the look should look like on a jersey.
Now, I am impatient man and I hate to wait. So with my crappy photoshop techniques and a few bad idea's, I came up with what I think the uniforms may look like.
There has been lots of talk over at the message boards and other sites that the OKC Barons will only pick one of the three logos that were trademarked. I think that's wrong. A company like Prodigal Hockey wouldn't spend money trademarking logos if they weren't going to be used. That means in my opinion, all three of the discovered logos WILL be used.
Here is where I think all three logos will be used.
Here is what I think the helmets will look like.
Before you say anything, yes I know they are bad pictures. I'm just trying to show a concept of what they might look like.
Do you guys agree or disagree with what I came up with? Let me know.
On a side note, the Oklahoma City Barons should employ former coach Doug Sauter. He does resemble a baron doesn't he? Maybe he could be the new OKC Barons mascot? Just sayin'...
Almost 3 months after Prodigal and Edmonton announced that the AHL would be coming to Oklahoma City for the 2010-11 season. They are set to "Officially" announce the Barons as the new AHL team for Oklahoma City. There has been talk that Prodigal has dropped the ball on keeping the excitement going, and fans engaged leading up to the announcement. Even during the Thunder's playoff run against the "World Champion" Lakers.
"The Pipeline" segment on their website is designed to keep fans updated with the latest happenings. But it was less then a month between entries from anyone at Prodigal, and no Twitter updates before the announcement of the press conference. And only after the blog post of the Barons logo's (note: Which were freely available on US Govt's Trademark Search Site) here on Oilfieldhockey.com, along with Derek over at Coppernblue.com. Prodigal has seemed to come alive with several Twitter updates, and another posting on "The Pipeline" on Friday.
The chatter on local message boards, about season ticket holders asking the same question over and over again. And they kept getting the same answer "we're waiting on a jersey to be completed, before we announce anything." There was no "They're Coming!", or a Countdown to keep fans excited about Hockey returning here after a season of transition.
Smokin' Ray Says: After months of waiting, it took OilFieldHockey.com plus that mysterious OKC_Barons Twitter account to get the ball rolling. We finally know what is to us, the worst kept secret. It just would have been nice if Prodigal was the one to spill the beans. But, they need to be quicker than that.
WELCOME TO THE OILOGOSPHERE PRODGIAL! We are relentless and we never give up digging.
Well, as an Edmonton Oiler fan and a fan of the kids in the AHL, it's sure has been an exciting couple of days around here. Scott over at OilFieldHockey.com has done some great work digging up the dirt on the new AHL team in Oklahoma City. Let's recap on what happened.
It all started with this mysterious tweet from @OKC_Barons, "YOU HEARD IT HERE 1st: The Oklahoma City Barons will be the new Edmonton #Oilers AHL affiliate starting in the 2010/11 season. #AHL #OKC".
That sent the sleuth over at OilFieldHockey.com to investigate it further. There has been grumbling about the Barons name for a while in Oklahoma City and I had disussed this with Scott before. So when this came out, I believed it was possible. It had legs.
As the tweets kept flowing this morning from OKC_Barons, it made things more real. This whole OKC Barons name is looking legit. But it really didn't get that for sure feeling until OilFieldHockey.com discovered two logos at the trademark registry this morning and Derek Zona at the CopperandBlue.com found the third one. (Those two guys are awesome!)
I have to admit. I like the logos. They tie into the Oilers theme well and it appears that the OKC Barons will wear the Edmonton Oilers colors. I can't wait to see the uniforms on them.
A little later in the day, an account called AHLBarons which I looked at this morning, and I was the only follower, became active all of the sudden. They even retweeted one of my tweets about the Barons. I thought that was really cool that they included me. I don't know who you are, but thanks.
So logo's were placed and people started following that account and I guess we will see what comes of it. I personally don't think either of them are the official team accounts, but I don't care. I'll follow both anyways, I'm a nerd for news and information. lol
Later on today at around 6:00pm MST, that same OKC_Barons account laid out another tweet. It said this, "An official announcement by Mr. Bob Funk will be coming soon. Oklahoma City is very proud to be an affiliate with the Edmonton #Oilers. #OKC"
Low and behold a ProdigalHockey twitter account was created and they started tweeting too. They spit this out at about 9:00pm MST, "Official announcement of name & logo for #Oilers new #AHL team May 19 at 4 p.m. in NE Lobby of Cox Center in #OKC. http://bit.ly/avqQhr "
This is a legitimate twitter account. Prodigal Hockey runs the Barons and the twitter page even claims that they are official. Trust me. I believe it.
My big question is, how did the OKC_Barons account know that a press conference was about to be announced without some sort of inside information? I'm very curious about that account. Keep an eye on it.
So that's where we're at now. We know the name of the team. We know the logo's of the team. And I'm sure it's clear on what colors they will use. I guess all we can do is wait till the press conference to see what else is said.
Stay tuned for more updates. With no Oilers in the news, this is pretty damn exciting!
Here is an official press release from ProdigalHockey.com. It appears that they are set to announce what is to us, the worst kept secret.
PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE TEAM NAME SCHEDULED
Prodigal LLC has scheduled a press conference for May 19 at 4 p.m. in the northeast lobby of the Cox Convention Center.
The topic of the press conference will be the official presentation of the name, logo, color and jerseys for Oklahoma City’s newest hockey team.
Oklahoma City’s newest hockey team will be the American Hockey League affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers. The team will play its games at the newly renovated Cox Convention Center beginning in October 2010. The American Hockey League is the primary developmental league for the National Hockey League. Over 85 percent of the players in the NHL have played at the AHL level.
It appears that the twitter account @OKC_Barons is correct. I would expect an official announcement soon. I mean really... the bloggers broke the story. What are the Oilers and Prodigal Hockey waiting for? ANNOUNCE IT!!!
With a Twitter post that has left many Oklahoma City and Edmonton fans, a buzz with a potential name for Oilers AHL franchise. Several media outlets are starting to report about this twitter post. Ted Streuli over at the Journal Record, published an article last night on Journal Record's website. According to Streuli that no one has confirmed(or denied) the name, but then the article turns into more speculation on some off the wall names. Now Mike Sherman and Jenni Carlson over at The Oklahoman. They are blogging about the name as it was set in stone. Yet there is one part of Jenni Carlson's post in which I found interesting.
"It was a bad decision, and after the Thunder(NBA) made the playoffs, it became an even worse one. The franchise has lost weeks and weeks that it could’ve been out there building on the momentum that came with the announcement in February. Hockey fans were on fire then. Even the casual fans were feeling the heat. But the franchise stood by and let the flames die out." Even if the post didn't come from Prodigal, they couldn't have asked for a better gift. In getting fans excited again about hockey returning to Oklahoma City.
Is the Letter B set to return to Oklahoma City for 2010-11 AHL season? A post on Twitter tonight (editor note: and other good sources) has indicated, that the new name for Oklahoma City will be the Oklahoma City Barons.
After seeing this post on Twitter, a domain has been found baring the same information from the other domains from Prodigal Hockey.
No trademark has been registered with the Trademark office since the name was abandoned in October 2009. This was a candidate name for Oklahoma City's NBA team.
The Baron's name isn't nothing new to the hockey world. As the Cleveland Barons were an NHL team from 1976 to 1978. Then they were an AHL team two different times in the history of the name. The last time the Barons was used, it was the San Jose Sharks affiliate, before they were moved to Worcester, MA.
The team that was put together last summer and coming out of training camp was good enough to compete for a playoff spot. However, the loss of Ryan Potulny who made the best of an opportunity to make Edmonton after the injury to Hemsky, the loss of Chris Minard to a long term injury and most importantly the loss of goaltender Devan Dubnyk started the downward spiral of the team. During all of this we also lost for extended periods of time the absence of other key players to injuries and/or call-ups. At one time during the long losing stretch we had eleven of our key players out of the line-up.
The biggest mistake made by the Oilers, was not providing us with a solid number two goaltender that could step in and win some games for us in the absence of Dubnyk. It does not matter what level you are at, without top notch goaltending it is a struggle to put any kind of winning streak together.
I want to acknowledge our great fans for their support through these very difficult times. We welcome the change with the Columbus Blue Jackets as our NHL partner and look forward to next season with renewed optimism.
I need to also address the issue of season ticket sales. Our staff has done a tremendous job in group sales on our prime dates and in corporate sponsorships during tough economic times. However, there are significant reasons why we must increase our season ticket sales. We are not looking for huge numbers in this area, because we know that it is not possible. However, we need to be close to the number that other smaller market teams have. If Adirondack can do 1900 – 2000 full season tickets, why can’t Springfield. I can assure you that if we had 2000 full season tickets, there would never be any concerns about the team ever leaving Springfield. We need a bigger base to help us out on the mid-week games when group sales are very difficult. The days of playing just Friday and Saturdays are long gone. We also don’t have a large building like Hartford, where with a special big night we can draw 8000 fans to make up for the small crowds on a mid-week game.
We have made some staffing changes to help us in our season ticket sales. This will include the addition of two more sales associates. Two years ago we ran a very strong campaign that enabled us to increase our season ticket base. However, this past year, due to the economy and other factors those numbers dropped dramatically. Our goal is to bring the season ticket total to the 1800 number. It will be a challenge. We offer a wide variety of plans and even the purchase of a ten game flex pack helps us inch closer to our goal.
The recent articles in the newspaper about ownership are very straightforward and really need no explanation. It was important that our fans and the entire community are aware of our objectives.
In closing, I again thank our great fans and corporate sponsors for their support. As always I respect your opinion and feedback. Please feel free to contact me at anytime.
Prodigal Hockey is looking for volunteers for its Season Ticket Holder Advisory Board. The purpose of the Advisory Board is to improve the communication between the season ticket holders and the front office. We expect the Advisory board to share information with the front office and also disseminate information from the front office to your fellow season ticket holders.
Season Ticket Holder Advisory Board members will be asked to attend between 4 - 6 meetings during a year. If you are interested in volunteering for the Advisory Board please contact Stacie Rathbun via email at stacie.rathbun@prodigalize.com or by phone at 405-232-GOAL (4625), ext. 111.
FAQ about the Season Ticket Holder Advisory Board:
• Who is eligible for the Advisory Board?
Any Season Ticket Holder who has at least made a deposit on season seats for the 2010-11 hockey season. Only one member per account is eligible for the Advisory Board and members must be at least 18 years of age. Terms are one year.
• How many people will be on the Advisory Board?
The number of members of the advisory board is dictated by the number of season seats sold. Presently, Prodigal Hockey is in search of 15 members.
• How do I volunteer to be on the Advisory Board?
Submit your name, address, phone number and e-mail address to Stacie Rathbun at stacie.rathbun@prodigalize.com by April 27th.
• What do I have to do if chosen?
Be willing to be the voice for Season Ticket Holders in and around your section(s) or group of friends. Advisory Board members will have their photo taken and placed on the website. They will also provide a bit of information about themselves and be approachable by fans.
• When will the names be chosen?
The random drawing will take place April 30th and the results posted that afternoon at prodigalhockey.com.
• When will the Advisory Board meet?
The Advisory Board will meet a minimum of four times during a year period.
April 11, 2010- The Springfield Falcons rattled off seven unanswered goals, including two each from Chad Wiseman and Jordan Eberle, as they defeated the Manchester Monarchs 7-3 in the season finale at the MassMutual Center Sunday afternoon in front of 5,678 fans. Chris Minard scored a goal and notched four assists as he, Eberle and Wiseman combined for 12 points in the win.
“We generated offense, scored some pretty goals, and didn’t give up a lot defensively,” said head coach Rob Daum. “We’re a better team then our record would indicate. But it was a nice way to go out.”
Eberle’s two goals came in the second period. The first, at 6:22, was tipped out of the air after a Minard shot was deflected. Eberle’s second goal was a one-timer wrist shot from Wiseman and Minard at the 15:57 mark of the middle frame and made the game 6-1.
Wiseman scored his second of the night at the 2:55 mark of the third period as Minard picked up his fourth assist of the game and Eberle got his third point of the night.
After Thomas Hickey gave the Monarchs the lead with his 1st goal of the season past Olivier Roy at the 2:04 mark of the first period, the Falcons rattled off four un-answered goals in the first frame. The four goals came on only nine shots.
Wiseman tied the game with his 23rd goal of the season roofed past Manchester starter Jean-Francois Berube. Minard picked up his first assist of the game on the goal and Jeff Petry was credited with the second, his third of the season.
The Falcons capitalized with 40 seconds left on a five-minute power-play with Ryan O'Marra's 12th goal of the campaign. Bryan Lerg took the puck to the net and kept his balance as Manchester defenders tried to knock him off the puck as he picked up an assist on the goal. O'Marra took the Lerg rebound and put it back on net as it trickled through Berube's legs.
The Falcons earned the five-minute power-play when Manchester captain Drew Bagnall was given a major penalty for kneeing Geoff Paukovich. In addition to the major, Bagnall was given a game misconduct.
The Falcons added the third goal at the 13:01 mark of the period. Minard snapped a one-timer feed from Liam Reddox, who had two assists, past Berube for the short-handed goal. Reddox picked up his second assist of the night and Las Vegas native Eddie Del Grosso picked up his second assist of the season on the goal.
At the 16:21 mark of the first period, Colton Fretter increased his team-lead in goals and netted the Falcons’ final goal of the period when he put his 26th off the post and into the net. Ryan Donald picked up his first career point on the Falcons' goal that made it 4-1.
The Yale alum, Donald, also mixed up with Monarchs’ players twice. In the second period, Donald and Juraj Mikus received roughing penalties after a pushing and shoving match in front of the Falcons net. In the third, Donald dropped the gloves with heavyweight Kevin Westgarth.
Roy was solid as he picked up his first career AHL win, making 28 saves in the win. The Amqui, Quebec native was appearing in his third game for the Falcons after playing this season with the Cape Brenton Screaming Eagles.
David Kolomatis scored his 8th goal of the season 16:42 and John Zeiler added his 11th goal at 18:23 to cut the Falcons lead to 7-3 and end the Falcons streak of seven unanswered goals.
Three Stars of the Game presented by Springfield College
1. SPR Chris Minard (1 goal, 4 assists, +7)
2. SPR Chad Wiseman (2 goals, 2 assists)
3. SPR Jordan Eberle (2 goals, 1 assist)
Game Night Notes ...
Game Setup: The final game of the season will be the 8th time that the Falcons will meet the Manchester Monarchs. In the previous seven match-ups, the Falcons are 1-5-0-1 against the Monarchs in the previous games. Springfield's lone win came back on October 16 at the MassMutual Center. The Falcons won 4-1 on the strength of goals from Geoff Paukovich, Chad Wiseman, Colin McDonald, and Colton Fretter who picked up the game-winner in the second period.
In the most recent meeting the Monarchs skated away with a 5-2 win over the Falcons on February 24 in Manchester. Springfield fell behind 4-0 before Charles Linglet and Chris Minard cut the Monarchs lead in half in the second period. Unfortunately, the Falcons could not complete a comeback. Devan Dubnyk made 35 saves in the game for the Falcons.
Manchester has already locked up a playoff spot and have clinched at least the third seed in the Atlantic Division.
Falcons Player Notes:
• Chad Wiseman has two goals and two assists in six games against the Monarchs this season.
• Colton Fretter had a goal in the Falcons one win over Manchester this season back on October 16. Fretter has added another goal playing in all seven games. Fretter leads the Falcons with 24 goals on the season.
• Bryan Lerg has a goal and an assist playing in six games against the Monarchs this season.
• Chris Minard has two of his 18 goals this season against Manchester in only four games.
Monarchs Player Notes:
• Manchester goalie Jonathan Bernier was named the Aledge “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award winner for the 2009-10 season. The award is given to the most outstanding goaltender in a season. Bernier has played in 57 games this season for the Monarchs this season going 30-20-6-9 with a 2.03 goals against average and 0.937 save percentage. Bernier leads the league in saves and shutouts with nine. Bernier leads the league in save percentage and is second in GAA.
• Bud Holloway has scored three goals and tallied seven assists while playing in every game against the Falcons.
• Justin Azevedo has six points, two goals and four assists, in just four games this season against the Falcons.
• Marc-Andre Cliche and David Meckler have both scored thee goals against the Falcons this season.
Falcons Player Movement Recap:
Jordan Bendfeld was re-assigned to the Stockton Thunder this week. Bendfeld played in 10 games for the Falcons this season picking up an assist and seven penalty minutes.
The Falcons also signed two players to Amateur Tryout Agreements. The first player was Chris Vande Velde, a 6’2” 204-pound Moorhead, Minnesota native who played four years at the University of North Dakota. Vande Velde was a fourth round selection, 97th overall, by the Oilers in 2005. With the Fighting Sioux, Vande Velde put 18 goals and 17 assist in the 2008-09 season.
Ryan Donald was the second player signed to an ATO this week. Donald, a native of St. Albert, Alberta, is coming off four seasons playing for the Bulldogs at Yale University. While at Yale, Donald scored five goals and notched 19 assists in 123 career games. Donald’s best season game this year when he scored twice and assisted on six other goals.
Monarchs Player Movement Recap:
This week the Monarchs released goalie Dave Wilson from his ATO. Wilson was signed on April 2 to replace Jonathan Bernier who had been on loan to the Los Angles Kings, the Monarchs NHL affiliate. Wilson did not appear in a game during his brief stint with the Monarchs.
Doug Nolan was also released from his Professional Tryout Agreement this week. The Quincy, Mass native played in 19 games for the Monarchs this season picking up three assists and 31 penalty minutes. Nolan played four years for the UMass-Lowell Riverhawks before beginning his professional hockey career that has taken him around the world, including stints in Russia and Finland. Nolan was originally an 11th round selection by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
*Reprinted by Oilers Jambalaya with permission by the Springfield Falcons AHL Hockey Club. The Springfield Falcons are a proud affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers (NHL)*
April 10, 2010 - The Springfield Falcons lost to the Hartford Wolf Pack 7-5 on Saturday night at the XL Center in Hartford, CT. Chris Minard scored his 20th and 21st goals of the year for Springfield and rookie Matt Beca tallied his first AHL/pro goal. The Falcons conclude their 2009-10 regular season on Sunday afternoon at the MassMutual Center when they host Manchester starting at 3pm.
With the Falcons leading 1-0 heading into the second period, Hartford exploded for seven goals in the middle frame. Kris Newbury, Corey Locke, Dane Byers, Chris McKelvie and Andres Ambuhl scored for the Wolf Pack within the first 10 minutes of the second period building a 5-1 Hartford lead. Colin McDonald cut Springfield's deficit to 5-2, but Ambuhl and Locke each scored their second markers of the period giving Hartford a 7-2 cushion through 40 minutes.
In the third period, the Falcons battled back and continued to chip away at their deficit. Minard scored his second goal of the game early in the final frame cutting the Wolf Pack advantage to 7-3, followed by Colton Fretter recording his team-leading 25th goal of the year. Beca's first AHL/pro goal pulled Springfield to within 7-5, but that was the end of the scoring for the night.
It was a very chippy second period as Jake Taylor and Jared Nightingale dropped the gloves after Taylor was involved in an earlier altercation after Locke's first goal of the game. Springfield's Ryan Donald and Hartford's Dane Byers dropped the gloves in the opening period.
FALCONS LINEUP
Jesse Gimblett - Rob Hisey - Colton Fretter
Slava Trukhno - Chris Vande Velde - Matt Beca
Liam Reddox - Ryan O'Marra - Colin McDonald
Chris Minard - Chad Wiseman - Jordan Eberle
J.F. David - Johan Motin
Ryan Donald - Jake Taylor
Eddie Del Grosso - Jeff Petry
Bryan Pitton
Olivier Roy
FALCONS SCRATCHES - Chris Armstrong, Matt Nickerson, Ryan MacMurchy, Geoff Paukovich, Bryan Lerg, Alex Plante, Kip Brennan, Tony DeHart, Blair Riley
Game Night Notes ...
Game Setup: The Wolf Pack skated away with a 6-1 win in last Saturday’s meeting between these two teams at the MassMutual Center. The Falcons are 4-4-1-0 against Hartford this season. All four wins for Springfield have come by one goal, including three 2-1 finals. The Falcons went 2-2-1-0 at home this season against the Pack. Hartford is coming of a 9-2 loss to the Worcester Sharks on Wednesday night at the XL Center, where the Falcons are 7-15-1-1 over the past five seasons.
Falcons Player Notes:
• Ryan O’Marra has three goals against the Wolf Pack this season.
• Chad Wiseman leads the Falcons in scoring in the season series with two goals and four assists in seven games.
• Chris Armstrong has picked up five assists in addition to a single goal in six games against Hartford this season.
• Jordan Eberle, who scored the Falcons lone goal last Saturday, has two goals and four assists in two games against the Pack.
Wolf Pack Player Notes:
• Corey Locke leads all players in the season series with 12 points against the Falcons, five goals and seven assists.
• Brodie Dupont had two goals last Saturday and has five in the season series.
• Hartford captain Dane Byers has two goals and three assists against the Falcons this season.
• Derek Couture has scored three goals and notched two assists in seven games against the Falcons this season.
Written by the Springfield Falcons *Reprinted by Oilers Jambalaya with permission by the Springfield Falcons AHL Hockey Club. The Springfield Falcons are a proud affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers (NHL)*
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