Falcons Game Preview: Springfield At Worcester, Game #69
April 6, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 6, 2013
FALCONS GAME PREVIEW: SPRINGFIELD AT WORCESTER, GAME #69
Springfield Falcons (39-20-5-4) at Worcester Sharks (29-30-2-6) Saturday, April 6, 2013 7:00 p.m. DCU Center
RADIO: (presented by FalconsWireless.com) WHYN NewsTalk 560 AM/WHYN.com WEBCAST: AHLLive.com
IN JUST A FEW HOURS...
After clinching a spot in the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs on Friday night, the Springfield Falcons continue their four-game road stretch when they meet the Worcester Sharks at the DCU Center, with the opening face-off slated for 7 p.m. Springfield qualified for the AHL's postseason on Friday despite its 4-3 loss to Connecticut after both Albany and Manchester fell in the clubs' respective contests. The Falcons are in a tie for second place in the Eastern Conference standings with Binghamton and Syracuse. Springfield trails Providence by two points for the conference's top spot. With a victory tonight and a regulation loss by Connecticut, Springfield would win the F.G. (Teddy) Oke Trophy as the Northeast Division champion.
For more information on Falcons playoff ticket information, click here. Springfield's postseason schedule will be announced on FalconsAHL.com when available. The AHL's regular season ends on Sunday, Apr. 21.
Tonight's broadcast is presented by FalconsWireless.com and starts at 6:45 p.m. on WHYN 560 AM, WHYN.com, the iHeartRadio App, or AHLLive.com.
Springfield finishes its weekend in Portland on Sunday. After playing at Adirondack on Friday, Apr. 12, the Falcons return home for Fan Appreciation Weekend, hosting Providence on Saturday, Apr. 13, and Connecticut on Sunday, Apr. 14. For full details of Fan Appreciation Weekend, click here.
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).
GOLOUBEF RECALLED BY BLUE JACKETS
Cody Goloubef was recalled by the Columbus Blue Jackets on an emergency basis this morning after being assigned to the Falcons on Friday evening. Goloubef was also recalled on an emergency basis by Columbus late Thursday night.
BATTLE OF THE BAY STATE RESUMES
The Falcons head to the DCU Center for the third of four times this season tonight and for the second-to-last meeting with the Sharks in 2012-2013. Springfield is winless in its two road games against Worcester this year, but the Falcons have won three of the last four matchups in the season series. The Falcons' last win in Worcester came on Apr. 1, 2012, a 3-2 regulation verdict, behind two goals from Andrew Joudrey. The Sharks enter tonight's contest on a six-game winless skid and nine points behind Hershey for the eighth and final playoff spot. Springfield leads the season series with a 3-2-1-0 record.
DIVISION TITLE WITHIN REACH
The Falcons can win the F.G. (Teddy) Oke Trophy as the Northeast Division champions tonight. Springfield would wrap up the division title with a win over Worcester and a regulation loss by Connecticut to Bridgeport on Saturday evening. The Falcons are in search of their third division championship in team history, and first since 1997-1998.
A PAIR OF FIRSTS
Spencer Machacek scored his first goal as a Falcon last night in the opening period, while Blake Parlett registered an assist in his Springfield debut.
IN THE 'NICK' OF TIME
Nick Holden collected a pair of assists just 21 seconds apart last night and was +2 in the game. He took over the team lead in that category at +18.
'JAM' STAYS IN RANGE
Despite being held scoreless last night, Jonathan Audy-Marchessault continues to top the Falcons with 60 points (19g-41a) and trails Hershey's Jeff Taffe and Peoria's T.J. Hensick by two points for the league's scoring lead.
MILESTONE ON THE WAY
Ryan Craig will become the all-time leading goal scorer on the power play in Falcons history the next time he converts with Springfield up a man. Craig has 29 power-play goals, placing him in a tie with Danny Briere and Jean-Guy Trudel for the most all-time by a Falcon. His 12 power-play goals this season put him in a share of third place in the AHL.
SWEET SIXTEEN
The Falcons allowed just 16 shots to the Whale last night, the fewest by a Springfield opponent this season. Connecticut's one shot in the first period tied the club for the fewest in the opening frame in 2012-2013 in the AHL.
GETTING CLOSE
Springfield can reach the 40-win mark for the fourth time in franchise history tonight, and first since 1997-1998.
AWAY ACCOLADE
With a victory on Saturday, the Falcons would clinch a winning season on the road for the first time since 1997-1998.
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