The Boutin Wall with two wins in his last two starts extends Springfield's winning streak to three games. PRO-1 SPR-3 Bear in mind, prior to this game, Springfield had dropped 9 of 10 to the Providence Bruins. In this game, they were outshot a mind boggling 50-17. Yes, 50-17. [url=jonathan-boutin]Jonathan Boutin[/url] made 49 saves though to help the Falcons steal a win, and was named first star of the game. Dan Cavanaugh led the way for Springfield offensively with 2 assists. This is a time when the Falcons are evaluating who they will try to keep for next season. Some players have not stepped up, but Cavanaugh has. He was named the game's second star. In my opinion, every attempt to retain him for next season should be made. Jared Nightingale scored his first professional goal in the game while [url=nick-tarnasky]Nick Tarnasky[/url] scored the game winner (third star) and Norm Milley added a valuable insurance marker. [url=darren-reid]Darren Reid[/url], Ryan Vesce and Todd Rohloff also had helpers in the game. When I had a low grade fit of Tourettes last week after watching the Falcons get wiped off the map by Hartford, I was highly critical of the lack of the goaltending stepping up. Credit to Boutin in particular over his last two starts. Game sheet from [url=http://ahl.leaguestat.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1002058]TheAHL.com.[/url]

The Winnipeg Free Press [url=http://www.moosehockey.com/news/05-06/20060407a.php]reports that the NHL and PHPA have agreed to change the 75K waiver rule which forced many veteran players on the bubble for NHL service to move overseas.[/url] Any skater with more than 320 games of experience at the NHL, AHL and ECHL level will be exempt from the rule. Any goaltender with more than 180 appearances in those leagues will also be exempt. The rule adopted this year made any veteran recalled making more than $75,000 elligible for waivers. As a consequence, many veterans were forced to choose between lower salaries in North America or higher pay in Europe. In the case of players like Shane Willis, who went to Davos in Switzerland and Linkopings in Sweden, the choice was Europe. The rule change could pave the way for Willis and center Eric Perrin's return to the Lightning organization.

[b]QMJHL[/b] Chicoutimi bludgeoned Gatineau 5-1 in the opening game of their second round QMJHL playoff series. Stanislav Lascek had 4 assists for the Sangueneens and was named 2nd star of the game. Chicoutimi leads the series 1-0. [b]OHL[/b] Peterborough ran roughshod over Sudbury beating Kevin Beech 6 times in a 6-1 victory in game two of their series. Beech made 26 saves in the loss. Peterborough leads the series 2-0. Underdog Owen Sound played tough with London before the Knights pulled away in the third period tonight for a 6-3 game one win. Marek Bartanus was scoreless and even in the game. London leads the series 1-0. [b]WHL[/b] Kelowna fell to Everett 5-3 in game one of their second round playoff series. Justin Keller had 1 assist and was -1 in the game. Kelowna trails in the series 1-0.

The Chiefs squandered an outstanding goaltending effort by Disher and Cey. JHN-1 TOL-3 Josh Disher stopped 37 of 39 before giving way to Morgan Cey who stopped 2 of 2 in relief. Veteran Dimitri Tarabrin had the Chiefs' only goal. Game sheet from [url=http://www.echl.com/cgi-bin/ppublic.cgi?action=box&id=3141]ECHL.com.[/url]