Springfield Falcons

I'm watching the game live again using the B2 Networks feed. Gerard Dicaire is in the lineup tonight with Paul Ranger up with the big club. Tiley, Greco and Deveaux are making their debuts as well. Henrich, Bombardir, McLaren and Rohloff are scratched.

Tonight marks the opening game of the second season for the Springfield Falcons under a full affiliation with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Much is on the line as the Lightning try and establish the Falcons as a credible AHL club while at the same time developing desperately needed young talent which will be in the NHL sooner rather than later with the new CBA. I will be covering the game live using the B2 Networks' cybercast, so for those who aren't watching the Panthers/Lightning game, buckle up.

Update: I just wanted to add because I bagged on the internet connection I got to the B2 Network the last game that their service was nearly flawless all night long. Excellent job B2.

Tonight's lineup and lines:

Milley/Vesce/Campbell
Craig/Jaspers/Artyukhin
Reid/Henrich/Kvapil
Fritz/Tarnasky

Ranger/Rohloff
H. Pratt/Egener
O'Brien/Bombardir

Eklund
Coleman

The Springfield Falcons have announced the signing of defenseman Brad Bombardir to a professional tryout contract. The long time New Jersey Devil and Minnesota Wild alum brings a considerable amount of professional experience to the team with 356 games of NHL service to his credit. By inking the stay-at-home defenseman, the Falcons' roster has ballooned to 25 players, 9 of whom now are defensemen.

The Falcons' season begins Saturday against the Portland Pirates.

According to a Springfield Falcons Press Release, the following players were re-assigned to Johnstown (ECHL): Zbynek Hrdel (LW), John Toffey (LW), Randy Rowe (LW), Jonathan Boutin (G), Jay Rosehill (D), Brandon Elliott (F), Dennis Packard (LW), Justin Kelly (C), and Jean-Francois Soucy (LW).

The Falcons have reduced their roster to 24 players including: three goaltenders, eight defensemen and 13 forwards. Springfield completed their preseason with a record of 2-1, including victories over the Providence Bruins and Hartford Wolf Pack.

Noteable among those remaining in Springfield are goaltenders Morgan Cey and Gerald Coleman, who now move into the finals of their battle to back-up Brian Eklund.

Today's game represents one last chance to impress for bubble players looking to avoid reassignment to Johnstown of the ECHL. Among the players possibly in danger of missing the cut are: Morgan Cey, Zbynek Hrdel, J.F. Soucy, Brandon Elliot, Gerald Coleman and Dennis Packard. On a personal note, I'm plunking down the $6 for B2 Network's cybercast. Pretty good quality thus far. Looks like Eklund starting with Coleman backing up.

Recap from Falconsahl.com is up.

HFD-4
SPR-5 (Final-OT)

1st Period
1. Hartford- Giroux, (Genoway)

The Falcons are getting dominated at even strength by the Wolfpack, and that was especially so early in the period. Wolfpack took a handful of penalties that helped the Falcons get their legs, and although the power play looked decent and generated some chances the Falcons squandered a 5-on-3 and some other opportunities.

2nd Period
2. Hartford- Dawes, (Baranka, Tselios)
3. Springfield- Henrich, (Reid, Rohloff)
4. Springfield- Jaspers, (Deveaux, Craig)
5. Springfield- Greco, (Milley, Campbell)
6. Hartford- Sparre