Falcons Game Preview: Springfield Vs. Adirondack, Game #49
February 17, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
Springfield Falcons (29-12-4-3) vs. Adirondack Phantoms (20-25-2-1)
Sunday, February 17, 2013
3:00 p.m.
MassMutual Center
TICKETS: (413) 739-GOAL/MassMutual Center Box Office/Ticketmaster.com
RADIO: (presented by FalconsWireless.com) WHYN NewsTalk 560 AM/WHYN.com
WEBCAST: AHLLive.com
IN JUST A FEW HOURS...
The Springfield Falcons close out their home three-in-three when they take on the Adirondack Phantoms at the MassMutual Center, with the opening face-off for today's contest set for 3:00 p.m. The Falcons, who lead the Eastern Conference by two points over the Binghamton Senators, lost in regulation for the first time in six games on Saturday at the MassMutual Center, dropping a 3-1 decision to the Portland Pirates. Wade MacLeod collected Springfield's lone goal of the contest, while Curtis McElhinney made 35 saves. The Falcons' lead in the Northeast Division dropped to 11 points over the Connecticut Whale following Saturday's action. Springfield's .677 points percentage is the highest in the AHL.
The first 2,500 fans into the building today will receive the 2012-2013 Falcons team poster, courtesy of Friendly's. Fans are invited to stick around following the contest and participate in a postgame skate on the MassMutual Center ice, courtesy of Western New England University, before having their team posters signed by each Falcons player in the concourse.
Today's broadcast is presented by FalconsWireless.com and starts at 2:45 p.m. on WHYN 560 AM, WHYN.com, the iHeartRadio App, or AHLLive.com.
Single-game tickets to see the Falcons in 2012-2013 can be purchased at the MassMutual Center Box Office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. through game time on Saturday home dates, and starting four hours prior to Sunday home contests. Fans can also purchase tickets by logging onto Ticketmaster.com. For information about discounted group packages to Falcons home games, call (413) 739-GOAL (4625).
CRAIG, MACLEOD EXTEND STREAKS
Ryan Craig set up Wade MacLeod's goal late in the first period on Saturday, as the two lengthened their season-high point streaks. Craig became the fourth Falcon to compile a seven-game point streak (3g-6a) this season, tossing a slick no-look backhand to the left circle on MacLeod's conversion. He would move into fifth in the AHL with his 20th power-play point (9g-11a) on the Falcons' lone tally. MacLeod buried Craig's pass to up his point streak to six games (2g-5a), a career high for the second-year pro. Ryan Johansen had the second assist on the power-play strike, and now has points in five-straight AHL games (4g-3a) dating back to Jan. 6.
SUNDAY SUCCESS ON THE LINE
The Falcons have played their best hockey of the season in Sunday games this season, with a 10-1-0-0 record in the final day of the weekend. Springfield is 5-1-0-0 in the final game of a three-in-three this season, which have all fallen on a Sunday in 2012-2013. The Falcons' luck has been the opposite in the middle game of a three-in-three, as they fell to 1-3-1-2 in the sandwich contest this year. Springfield has won five-straight Sunday contests since last falling on Nov. 25 to Connecticut at The Nest, 3-2.
MILESTONE DAY
A pair of Falcons will reach milestones this afternoon, as Andrew Joudrey will play in his 400th professional contest while Wade MacLeod will skate in his 100th career game.
PENALTY KILL PERFECT AGAIN
After sparking the Falcons to a 3-1 win over Worcester on Friday with a seven-for-seven effort, Springfield's penalty kill succeeded in all five situations on Saturday. The Falcons have not allowed a power play goal in four of the last five games, going 21 of 22 during this stretch. Springfield is fourth in the league on the penalty kill at 85.7%.
POWER PLAY PRODUCES
The Falcons' power play contributed again on Saturday and has at least one goal in 36 of Springfield's 48 games this season.
A MINOR HIT
Springfield's league-leading goal differential dropped to +43 last night. The Falcons are third in the league in offense and defense, scoring 3.29 goals/game while allowing 2.40 goals/game.
ALMOST THERE
The Falcons, currently 17 games over .500, are nearing their all-time high water mark. Springfield's franchise record for games above .500 within one season is 21, set when the Falcons defeated the Rochester Americans on Apr. 13, 1996 to claim a record of 42-21-10-5.
PROPER CONDUCT
The Falcons are the only team in the AHL without a 10-minute misconduct this season, and are one of three clubs without a game misconduct or a match penalty.
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