Taking a look back at the past seven days in Springfield:
The biggest news in the region was off the ice. Most of the region was left without power, many for nearly a week, in the aftermath of a storm that some local news veterans termed “the worst storm of its kind in this area, ever”.
The loss of power required some extra workarounds, but all in all things turned out fine. The Falcons team leader in lost power was assistant coach Nolan Pratt, who according to coach Rob Riley, was without for about six days.
Bruce Landon’s weekly blog gave some inner workings to the world of PTO’s and player salaries in the AHL. This is a very good read, especially if you’re interested in the business side of the game at the minor league level.
AHL NORTHEAST DIVISION STANDINGS (as of 11/7/11):
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | PTS | GF | GA |
| Connecticut (NYR) | 12 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 37 | 32 |
| Adirondack (PHI) | 11 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 37 | 30 |
| Bridgeport (NYI) | 12 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 37 | 42 |
| Albany (NJD) | 13 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 31 | 41 |
| Springfield (CBJ) | 12 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 34 | 37 |
Looking at the bigger picture, the Eastern Conference standings stack up this way (point totals):
1. St. John’s (WPG) 21
2. Connecticut (NYR) 17
3. Norfolk (TB) 17
4. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (PIT) 16
5. Adirondack (PHI) 15
6. Hershey (WAS) 14
7. Syracuse (ANA) 13
8. Bridgeport (NYI) 13
9. Albany (NJ) 13
10. Providence (BOS) 13
11. Springfield (CBJ) 12
12. Binghamton (OTT) 12
13. Manchester (LA) 11
14. Worcester (SJ) 10
15. Portland (PHX) 9
Player notes:
Chaz Johnson, who was in training camp, was in for the Friday game on a PTO. After the game he was released, and sent back to the Chicago Express.
Cam Atkinson was recalled after the game and was with the Blue Jackets for Saturday’s game in Philly.
Maksim Mayorov and Tomas Kubalik sat out Friday’s game and are listed as day to day. Both players expect to be back in the lineup for next weekend’s games. Also sidelined is Anton Blomqvist, with an undisclosed upper body injury. He too, is day to day.
Adam Mair finished serving his four game suspension, and should be back on the ice next Friday night.
In what was undoubtedly the best news of the week, Nick Holden and wife Angela became first time parents on Saturday, with the birth of a baby boy. Congratulations!!!
FALCONS INDIVIDUAL STATS:
Nick Drazenovic remains the Falcons scoring leader after 11 games. Registering at least one point in nine of his eleven games, Nick has 3 goals and 11 assists for 14 points. Nick is currently tied for 9th in AHL scoring.
Martin St. Pierre is on fire, with a five game scoring streak, notching two goals and five helpers during that run.
Falcons Individual Stats:
| Player | Pos. | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIM |
| Nick Drazenovic | LW | 11 | 3 | 11 | 14 | -2 | 8 |
| Martin St. Pierre | C | 12 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 0 | 6 |
| Dane Byers | LW | 12 | 4 | 3 | 7 | -6 | 43 |
| Cam Atkinson X | RW | 10 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 4 |
| Cody Goloubef | D | 12 | 0 | 6 | 6 | -6 | 16 |
| Wade MacLeod | LW | 11 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -2 | 8 |
| Ryan Garlock | C | 12 | 0 | 5 | 5 | -3 | 2 |
| Ryan Russell | C | 10 | 4 | 0 | 4 | +1 | 7 |
| Cody Bass X | C | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -1 | 13 |
| Nick Holden | D | 12 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -6 | 6 |
| Brent Regner | D | 12 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -2 | 2 |
| David Savard | D | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| Ray Macias X | D | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | +3 | 0 |
| Mike Thomas | RW | 11 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 2 |
| Adam Mair | C | 8 | 0 | 3 | 3 | +2 | 18 |
| Alexandre Giroux X | LW | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| Tomas Kubalik | RW | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 4 |
| John Moore X | D | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 2 |
| Andrew Joudrey | C | 12 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 2 |
| Aaron Bogosian | LW | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 7 |
| Oliver Gabriel | LW | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -5 | 0 |
| Dalton Prout | D | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 10 |
| Chaz Johnson X | RW | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Maksim Mayorov | LW | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 0 |
| Allen York X | G | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Anton Blomqvist | D | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 7 |
| Paul Dainton X | G | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Manny Legace (SPR only) | G | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Teddy Ruth | D | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 0 |
| Matt Calvert X | LW | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -4 | 2 |
| Steven Delisle X | D | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 8 |
| Danny Taylor | G | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
(“X” – not currently with the team)
GOALTENDING:
Danny Taylor is ranked 18th in the AHL, with a 2.31 GAA and a .931 save percentage.
The Falcons have a light schedule again this week. Two more home games, Friday and Saturday. Friday’s opponents are the Portland Pirates. Mark Dekanich is expected to make a rehab start in goal against the Pirates.
Saturday’s opponent is the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Last year’s Falcons iron man, Trevor Frischmon, returns to Springfield. Frisch signed as a free agent with the New York Islanders last summer.