Monday, December 1, 2008

Falcons Weekly Review, Week 8


It was fun while it lasted! After an offensive explosion last week, the Falcons scored all of 1 goal in their 2 weekend games against Philadelphia and Providence. Derek Bekar potted the lone goal with the assists going to Mathieu Roy and goalie Devan Dubnyk. Gilbert Brule and Slava Trukhno missed Sunday's game with the flu, their absence was very noticeable. It left Springfield with 1 scoring line and 3 checking lines.

While Rob Schremp was scoreless in the 2 games, he dished out 3 hits that saw the player that he hit meet the ice. Not very "Schremp like" for those that have taken the time to watch him. That's a good sign that his strength is improving. The Falcons played a physical game this weekend and Tim Sestito took it up a notch by boarding Providence's Matt Lashoff.

The 2 recent NHL callups paths crossed behind Providence's net, Sestito took a 2 minute boarding minor and was then taken to task by Bruins tough guy McQuaid. Sestito was holding his own against the bigger player until he got caught with a hellacious uppercut. Sestito dropped to a knee and stayed there for a bit to collect himself before skating straight to the dressing room. Sestito looked to be on wobbly legs and appeared to have suffered a concussion from the fight.

Positives this weekend were the play of Ryan O'Marra and Geoff Paukovich. Both players played a physical brand of hockey and seemed to develop some offensive chemistry as well.

It will be back to the drawing board for the Falcons this week. A change in the PP lines would be welcomed. Schremp and Brule should be on the same unit. How often do you see teams split their 2 best talents on the PP?

Brule-Potulny-Schremp
Trukhno-Chorney

On the bright side, Theo Peckham will be available for Springfield's next game after serving out his 3 game suspension.

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