Chris Minard had seven goals in 37 games for the Albany River Rats, then a New Jersey Devils affiliate, during the 2005-06 season.
Tonight, the former Albany winger scored twice in regulation and had the only shootout goal Springfield would need in a 4-3 victory. Minard leads the Falcons with nine goals in 11 games, including five in the last two and seven in the last five.
"He's been excellent," Springfield head coach Rob Daum said. "Obviously, he's been scoring. He's been a real key to our power play. He finds ways to get open and we've been able to get him the puck, and he shoots it a ton."
Minard's linemate, Charles Linglet, assisted on both his goals, giving him two assists in each of the past two games and 10 in 11 games on the season.
"It's just a credit to my teammates, knowing how I play and how they play," Minard said. "I played with Linglet before in the East Coast League up in Alaska, so we have some chemistry together. We know where each other is, and it helps out this early in the season."
Albany managed to rally from a 2-0 deficit early in the second period to tie it at 2-2, and got a late goal from rookie Matt Pistilli -- his second of the night -- to force overtime and earn a point in the standings. Head coach Jeff Daniels was not pleased.
"That's about the only (good) thing was the point. Other than that, I thought we were awful," Daniels said. "It was everything. The effort. That's two games in a row where the effort hasn't been good. It starts by moving our legs. We're getting sloppy turning pucks over trying to be cute. If we play like that tomorrow night, we'll get embarrassed in Hershey. We've got to step it up."
The goals were his first two as a pro for Pistilli, who had 45 in 63 games for Shawinigan in his final junior season.
"It's good," Daniels said. "He had some chances over the last couple weeks, and it's good for him to get his confidence going. He came in here as a goal-scorer and he gets frustrated because he's had these quality chances. Tonight he got two, and hopefully he can build off that."
Minard recalled his short time in Albany, which he earned after skating with ex-Devils centerman Scott Gomez with ECHL Alaska during the 2004-05 NHL owners lockout.
"It does seem like a long time ago," Minard said. "Everyone was asking me if I played here and they're like, 'When did you do that?' I don't know how many years ago it was, but I enjoyed my time here. I have to thank the Devils organization for giving me that opportunity."
Springfield 0 2 1 0 1 -- 4
Albany 0 2 1 0 0 -- 3
Springfield wins shootout, 2-0.
First period -- None. Penalties -- Paiement, Alb (hooking), 10:47.
Second period -- 1, Springfield, Minard 8 (Linglet, Wiseman), 4:07 2, Springfield, Trukhno 1 (penalty shot), 5:37. 3, Albany, Pitsilli 1 (unassisted), 6:22. 4, Albany, Boychuk 4 (Samson, Bellemore), 16:18. Penalties -- Wild, Spg (holding), 7:29; FitzGerald, Alb (tripping), 13:06.
Third period -- 5, Springfield, Minard 9 (Linglet), 9:37 (pp). 6, Albany, Pistilli 2 (Reed), 13:43. Penalties -- Reed, Alb (delay of game), 8:31; Paukovich, Spg (cross-checking), 10:01; McDonald, Spg (hooking), 10:19.
Overtime -- None. Penalties -- None.
Shootout -- Springfield 2 (Minard G, Linglet NG, Potulny G). Albany 0 (Reed NG, Rodney NG, Bowman NG, Boychuk NG).
Shots on goal -- Springfield 9-22-5-1-1 -- 38. Albany 7-11-15-3-0 -- 36.
Goalies -- Springfield, Dubnyk 4-4-0-1 (37 shots-34 saves). Albany, Peters 3-2-0-1 (37-34).
Power-play opportunities -- Springfield 1 of 3. Albany 0 of 3.
A -- 2,422. T -- 2:19.
Referee -- Chris Brown. Linesmen -- Rich Patry, Chris Low.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Springfield at River Rats: 2-2 after two
Despite being outshot by a 31-18 margin, including 22-11 in the second period, the Albany River Rats are tied with the Springfield Falcons, 2-2, after 40 minutes.
Ex-Rats winger Chris Minard opened the scoring for Springfield 4:07 into the second, his team-high eighth goal of the season and sixth in five games, batting in a rebound off a scramble in front of Rats goalie Justin Peters.
Just 90 seconds later, Viacheslav Trukhno was awarded a penalty shot after being hooked from behind on a partial breakaway by Albany rookie defenseman Jamie McBain (though Trukhno was able to get off a shot, and a good one, that Peters turned away). Trukhno made it a 2-0 game by snapping a wrist shot low past Peters' stick for his first goal of the year.
The Rats got on the board at 6:22, after first-year forward Matt Pistilli intercepted a pass from Falcons defenseman Chris Armstrong at center ice. Pistilli skated up the slot, deked a forehand and pulled the puck to his backhand as goalie Devan Dubnyk reached for the pokecheck and lifted a shot upstairs.
Albany rookie winger Zach Boychuk evened the score on a nifty individual effort with3:42 left in the period. Boychuk peeled off the right wing boards, head-faked past Springfield's Johan Motin in the right circle and roofed a wrist shot past Dubnyk's glove from between the faceoff circles.
Attendance for tonight's game has been announced at 2,422.
Ex-Rats winger Chris Minard opened the scoring for Springfield 4:07 into the second, his team-high eighth goal of the season and sixth in five games, batting in a rebound off a scramble in front of Rats goalie Justin Peters.
Just 90 seconds later, Viacheslav Trukhno was awarded a penalty shot after being hooked from behind on a partial breakaway by Albany rookie defenseman Jamie McBain (though Trukhno was able to get off a shot, and a good one, that Peters turned away). Trukhno made it a 2-0 game by snapping a wrist shot low past Peters' stick for his first goal of the year.
The Rats got on the board at 6:22, after first-year forward Matt Pistilli intercepted a pass from Falcons defenseman Chris Armstrong at center ice. Pistilli skated up the slot, deked a forehand and pulled the puck to his backhand as goalie Devan Dubnyk reached for the pokecheck and lifted a shot upstairs.
Albany rookie winger Zach Boychuk evened the score on a nifty individual effort with3:42 left in the period. Boychuk peeled off the right wing boards, head-faked past Springfield's Johan Motin in the right circle and roofed a wrist shot past Dubnyk's glove from between the faceoff circles.
Attendance for tonight's game has been announced at 2,422.
Springfield at River Rats
My apologies for my extended absence. Several issues have kept me away, but I plan to be around more regularly in the coming weeks, as events allow.
Pretty uneventful first period tonight at the former Knickerbocker Arena, with the Albany River Rats and Springfield Falcons in a scoreless tie. There was a total of 16 shots (Springfield, 9-7) and one penalty, on Albany defenseman Jon Paiement for hooking at 10:47.
The Falcons were outshot, 3-0, to that point, but directed three shots at Rats starting goalie Justin Peters during the two-minute advantage, and held a 9-4 edge in the last 8:22.
Albany (5-4) has dropped three of its last four games, outscored 13-8. Springfield (4-4-1-1) snapped a three-game losing streak by beating Lowell in its last game on Sunday, behind a hat trick from ex-Rats winger Chris Minard.
Minard and his wife are expecting their first child soon, as is Falcons alternate captain Jake Taylor, whose wife's due date is Saturday. As a precaution, Springfield athletic trainer Brandon Dionne drove Taylor's car to Albany (Taylor took the team bus) in case Taylor needed to get home quickly. Good thinking.
Here are tonight's lineups:
Albany line combinations: Drayson Bowman-Nick Dodge-Pat Dwyer (C); Zach Boychuk-Stefan Chaput-Jerome Samson; Chris Terry-Harrison Reed-Nicolas Blanchard (A); Brad Herauf-Jacob Micflikier-Matt Pistilli.
Defense pairings: Bryan Rodney (A)-Jonathan Paiement; Jamie McBain-Zack FitzGerald; Benn Olson-Brett Bellemore.
Scratches: D Brett Carson, C Mike Angelidis, RW Steve Goertzen.
Springfield line combinations: Viachelsav Trukhno-Ryan Potulny (A)-Colton Fretter; Charles Linglet-Chad Wiseman-Chris Minard; Liam Reddox-Ryan O'Marra-Colin McDonald; Kip Brennan-Geoff Paukovich-Ryan MacMurchy.
Defense pairings: Dean Arsene (C)-Jake Taylor (A); Chris Armstrong-Johan Motin; Cody Wild-Alex Plante.
Scratches: D Matt Nickerson, LW Bryan Lerg.
Pretty uneventful first period tonight at the former Knickerbocker Arena, with the Albany River Rats and Springfield Falcons in a scoreless tie. There was a total of 16 shots (Springfield, 9-7) and one penalty, on Albany defenseman Jon Paiement for hooking at 10:47.
The Falcons were outshot, 3-0, to that point, but directed three shots at Rats starting goalie Justin Peters during the two-minute advantage, and held a 9-4 edge in the last 8:22.
Albany (5-4) has dropped three of its last four games, outscored 13-8. Springfield (4-4-1-1) snapped a three-game losing streak by beating Lowell in its last game on Sunday, behind a hat trick from ex-Rats winger Chris Minard.
Minard and his wife are expecting their first child soon, as is Falcons alternate captain Jake Taylor, whose wife's due date is Saturday. As a precaution, Springfield athletic trainer Brandon Dionne drove Taylor's car to Albany (Taylor took the team bus) in case Taylor needed to get home quickly. Good thinking.
Here are tonight's lineups:
Albany line combinations: Drayson Bowman-Nick Dodge-Pat Dwyer (C); Zach Boychuk-Stefan Chaput-Jerome Samson; Chris Terry-Harrison Reed-Nicolas Blanchard (A); Brad Herauf-Jacob Micflikier-Matt Pistilli.
Defense pairings: Bryan Rodney (A)-Jonathan Paiement; Jamie McBain-Zack FitzGerald; Benn Olson-Brett Bellemore.
Scratches: D Brett Carson, C Mike Angelidis, RW Steve Goertzen.
Springfield line combinations: Viachelsav Trukhno-Ryan Potulny (A)-Colton Fretter; Charles Linglet-Chad Wiseman-Chris Minard; Liam Reddox-Ryan O'Marra-Colin McDonald; Kip Brennan-Geoff Paukovich-Ryan MacMurchy.
Defense pairings: Dean Arsene (C)-Jake Taylor (A); Chris Armstrong-Johan Motin; Cody Wild-Alex Plante.
Scratches: D Matt Nickerson, LW Bryan Lerg.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Benefit scheduled for injured local jockey
A benefit for jockey Michael Straight, an East Greenbush native who was seriously injured in a spill at Arlington Park outside Chicago on Aug. 26, will take place Sunday at Philly G's restaurant in Vernon Hills, Ill.
The event will take place from 6 to 11:30 p.m. Admission is $50 and includes hors d'oeuvres, live music and entertainment. In addition, a silent auction, raffles, games and cash bar will be offered, with all proceeds going to Straight's medical costs.
Straight, 23, is currently at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. He had surgery 24 hours after being involved in the one-horse spill, which left him with four fractured vertebrae.
He and his twin brother, Matthew, graduated a year apart from Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron's North American Riding Academy. An apprentice rider, Michael Straight won with the first mount of his career on March 6 at Tampa Bay Downs. In all, he has ridden 39 winners from 372 mounts, with 23 of his wins coming at Arlington.
Reservations can be made at slapshotracing@comcast.net, or are available at the door. Those unable to attend but looking to make a contribution can do so at by sending a check payable to the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund in care of Michael Straight, 547 Webford Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60016.
The event will take place from 6 to 11:30 p.m. Admission is $50 and includes hors d'oeuvres, live music and entertainment. In addition, a silent auction, raffles, games and cash bar will be offered, with all proceeds going to Straight's medical costs.
Straight, 23, is currently at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. He had surgery 24 hours after being involved in the one-horse spill, which left him with four fractured vertebrae.
He and his twin brother, Matthew, graduated a year apart from Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron's North American Riding Academy. An apprentice rider, Michael Straight won with the first mount of his career on March 6 at Tampa Bay Downs. In all, he has ridden 39 winners from 372 mounts, with 23 of his wins coming at Arlington.
Reservations can be made at slapshotracing@comcast.net, or are available at the door. Those unable to attend but looking to make a contribution can do so at by sending a check payable to the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund in care of Michael Straight, 547 Webford Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60016.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Flyers create room on Phantoms blueline
The Adirondack Phantoms' defense corps got a little less crowded with today's trade of Michael Ratchuk by the Philadelphia Flyers to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
In return, the Flyers received right wing Stefan Legein, who was immediately assigned to Adirondack. He is expected to be on the ice for practice on Wednesday.
Phantoms head coach Greg Gilbert had been juggling nine defensemen on the roster, often dressing seven with 11 forwards for games. Ratchuk, 21, had one assist and two penalty minutes in five games for Adirondack this season. He played 94 regular-season and playoff games for the Phantoms organization, and is best known for setting up Ryan Potulny's winner in the fifth overtime in Game 5 of the 2008 Calder Cup playoffs against Albany.
Legein, 20, played two seasons of junior hockey under Gilbert with the OHL's Mississauga Ice Dogs, from 2004-06, and was an alternate captain on Team Canada's gold-medal winning World Junior Championship team in 2008. He had three points (2g, 1a) in six AHL games for the Syracuse Crunch.
Adirondack hosts Hartford Friday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center before facing the Albany River Rats on Saturday at the former Knickerbocker Arena.
In return, the Flyers received right wing Stefan Legein, who was immediately assigned to Adirondack. He is expected to be on the ice for practice on Wednesday.
Phantoms head coach Greg Gilbert had been juggling nine defensemen on the roster, often dressing seven with 11 forwards for games. Ratchuk, 21, had one assist and two penalty minutes in five games for Adirondack this season. He played 94 regular-season and playoff games for the Phantoms organization, and is best known for setting up Ryan Potulny's winner in the fifth overtime in Game 5 of the 2008 Calder Cup playoffs against Albany.
Legein, 20, played two seasons of junior hockey under Gilbert with the OHL's Mississauga Ice Dogs, from 2004-06, and was an alternate captain on Team Canada's gold-medal winning World Junior Championship team in 2008. He had three points (2g, 1a) in six AHL games for the Syracuse Crunch.
Adirondack hosts Hartford Friday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center before facing the Albany River Rats on Saturday at the former Knickerbocker Arena.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Rats win streak ends in Worcester
A pair of goals by captain Pat Dwyer was not enough as the Albany River Rats saw their four-game win streak snapped today by the host Worcester Sharks.
Albany (4-2) faced deficits of 2-0 and 4-1 before rallying to within a goal on scores by Dwyer and rookie defenseman Jamie McBain, the latter with 1:11 left in the third period.
Center Andrew Desjardins, who opened the scoring midway through the first period for Worcester, ended it on an empty-net goal with two seconds remaining.
Dwyer scored once unassisted and once on a helper from rookie forward Drayson Bowman. McBain's first goal of the season was assisted by Jerome Samson and Brandon Sutter; Samson now has a point in each of Albany's six games this season (4g, 6a), his 10 points tied for third overall in the AHL.
Forward Nicolas Blanchard returned to action for Albany after missing Saturday's OT win at Adirondack serving a one-game AHL suspension for his hit on Norfolk's Matt Smaby.
Rats first-year goaltender Mike Murphy finished with 27 saves.
Former River Rats forward Dwight Helminen was scoreless with two shots for Worcester, while defenseman Nick Petrecki, a Clifton Park native, finished a plus-1.
Albany (4-2) faced deficits of 2-0 and 4-1 before rallying to within a goal on scores by Dwyer and rookie defenseman Jamie McBain, the latter with 1:11 left in the third period.
Center Andrew Desjardins, who opened the scoring midway through the first period for Worcester, ended it on an empty-net goal with two seconds remaining.
Dwyer scored once unassisted and once on a helper from rookie forward Drayson Bowman. McBain's first goal of the season was assisted by Jerome Samson and Brandon Sutter; Samson now has a point in each of Albany's six games this season (4g, 6a), his 10 points tied for third overall in the AHL.
Forward Nicolas Blanchard returned to action for Albany after missing Saturday's OT win at Adirondack serving a one-game AHL suspension for his hit on Norfolk's Matt Smaby.
Rats first-year goaltender Mike Murphy finished with 27 saves.
Former River Rats forward Dwight Helminen was scoreless with two shots for Worcester, while defenseman Nick Petrecki, a Clifton Park native, finished a plus-1.
Milestone win for Phantoms
The Adirondack Phantoms bounced back from Saturday's OT loss against arch-rival Albany to post their first road victory of the season this afternoon in Bridgeport.
Several milestones were reached in Adirondack's 4-2 win, which was the Sound Tigers' second in a row after four victories to open the season.
Goaltender Brian Boucher was reassigned by the parent Philadelphia Flyers prior to the game for conditioning, and he met the Phantoms in Bridgeport. Boucher stopped 29 of 31 shots for his 60th win with the AHL franchise.
Adirondack captain Jared Ross scored one goal and set up another, his 199th and 200th points in the AHL. He was named the game's first star. Alternate captain Jason Ward, who last week became a father for the third time, celebrated with an assist and his 100th career AHL goal, the winner with 7:04 left in the second period.
Playing his second straight game, veteran forward Krys Kolanos also chipped in with a goal and an assist for Adirondack, sealing the win on an empty-netter in the final minute.
The Phantoms play next at home on Friday night against Hartford, then head to Albany for Game 2 of 12 in the Time Warner Cable Cup series against the River Rats.
Several milestones were reached in Adirondack's 4-2 win, which was the Sound Tigers' second in a row after four victories to open the season.
Goaltender Brian Boucher was reassigned by the parent Philadelphia Flyers prior to the game for conditioning, and he met the Phantoms in Bridgeport. Boucher stopped 29 of 31 shots for his 60th win with the AHL franchise.
Adirondack captain Jared Ross scored one goal and set up another, his 199th and 200th points in the AHL. He was named the game's first star. Alternate captain Jason Ward, who last week became a father for the third time, celebrated with an assist and his 100th career AHL goal, the winner with 7:04 left in the second period.
Playing his second straight game, veteran forward Krys Kolanos also chipped in with a goal and an assist for Adirondack, sealing the win on an empty-netter in the final minute.
The Phantoms play next at home on Friday night against Hartford, then head to Albany for Game 2 of 12 in the Time Warner Cable Cup series against the River Rats.
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