Springfield Falcons

The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Norfolk Admirals, have announced the signing of forward Paul Szczechura (pronounced sha-HER-a) to a two-year contract, Lightning Executive Vice President & General Manager Jay Feaster announced today.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound native of Belleville, Ontario scored 14 goals in 24 games with the Admirals last season after netting two in 29 games with the Iowa Stars to start the season. He was acquired from Iowa on January 15 in exchange for future considerations and netted points in his first ten games as an Admiral. He was tied for third on the Admirals in goals with 16 and was seventh in points with 31. He led all Norfolk rookies in scoring and was tied for the team lead with three game-winning goals.

Being that it's a slow week for Lightning news...

The Albany Times Union reported yesterday that Eric Healey signed a free agent contract with the Colorado Avalanche on July 13, 2007. Healey was signed by the Lightning last summer and scored a career high 75 points (27 goals, 48 assists) enroute to leading Tampa's AHL affiliate in Springfield in goals, assists, and points. Healey finished the 2006-2007 AHL campaign as its 12th leading scorer.

The Detroit Free Press reported on Wednesday that the Red Wings signed forward Carl Corazzini to a one-year deal on July 16, 2007. Corazzini spent the last two seasons as an offensive fixture for the AHL's Norfolk Admirals, Tampa's new AHL affiliate. It was speculated by BoltProspects early in the off-season that Tampa might target Corrazzini as a possible signee for the 2007-2008 campaign, but the Lightning instead signed Craig MacDonald and Mathieu Darche as veteran offensive leaders for the Admirals.

Eurohockey.net is confirming that defenseman Joe Rullier has signed a contract to play with Lukko Rauma of the Finnish SM-liiga next season. Rullier was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks organization at the trade deadlime this season in exchange for defenseman Doug O'Brien. Rullier's departure leaves the Lightning in need of a veteran defenseman to anchor the blueline corps in Norfolk next season.

The Lightning's affiliation with Springfield ends with a whimper.

PRO-2
SPR-0

Jonathan Boutin allowed 2 goals on 34 shots in the loss. The Falcons finish the 2006-2007 season by being shutout in their final two contests. Appropo. Boutin was named third star of the game for his efforts.

First Period
NO SCORING

Second Period
PRO Leach, (2) (Krejci, Walter), 10:53 (PP)

Third Period
PRO Lashoff, (11) (Dempsey, Walter), 1:00 (PP)

Game sheet from TheAHL.com.

It's a good thing this season is about over. Otherwise, I think mild mannered Steve Stirling might be prone to choke some of these players.

MAN-7
SPR-0

Jonathan Boutin allowed 5 goals on 26 shots before being pulled for Kevin Beech who allowed 2 goals on 9 shots the rest of the way. Manchester scored a remarkable 6 power play goals in the game going 6 for 12 on the man advantage.

First Period
MCH Nolan, (2) (Tukonen, O'Sullivan), 10:38 (PP)
MCH O'Sullivan, (18) (Likens, Moulson), 13:32 (PP)

Second Period
MCH Lewis, (3) (Kemp, Fukufuji), 2:36 (PP)
MCH Lewis, (4) (O'Sullivan, Kemp), 11:11 (PP)
MCH Kanko, (11) (Mormina, Crosty), 13:38

Third Period
MCH Westgarth, (1) (Giuliano, Kanko), 2:29 (PP)
MCH Zeiler, (12) (Tukonen, O'Sullivan), 4:24 (PP)

Game sheet from TheAHL.com.