Falcons Playoff Game Preview: Game 2, Eastern Conference Semifinals
Published on May 11, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
2. Springfield Falcons (3-2) vs. 3. Syracuse Crunch (4-0)
Game 2
Syracuse leads series, 1-0
Eastern Conference Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Saturday, May 11, 7 p.m.
MassMutual Center
TICKETS: Ticketmaster.com/MassMutual Center Box Office/(413) 739-GOAL (4625)
RADIO: (presented by FalconsWireless.com) WHYN NewsTalk 560 AM/WHYN.com
WEBCAST: AHLLive.com
IN JUST A FEW HOURS...
The Springfield Falcons and the Syracuse Crunch play Game 2 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Semifinals at the MassMutual Center, with the opening face-off scheduled for 7 p.m. The Falcons underwent a Game 1 loss to the Crunch on Friday night at the MassMutual Center by a score of 5-2. Syracuse struck four times in the first period on its way to collecting its fourth-straight victory to start the postseason. Nick Drazenovic and Ryan Craig scored Springfield's two goals, as the Falcons lost for the second time in the playoffs.
Fans can purchase tickets for the three remaining potential home games of the series, including tonight's contest, now at the MassMutual Center Box Office, or through Ticketmaster.com. 10-Flex Playoff Packs, which allow fans to purchase 10 vouchers that are redeemable at any home game during the postseason, remain on sale by calling (413) 739-GOAL (4625). Unused vouchers can be returned to the Falcons' front office until Jun. 30 for a credit toward any 2013-14 ticket package.
Postseason package holders should use "Round 2, Game E" tickets for tonight's game.
Following Game 2, the Falcons and Crunch will move to Syracuse's War Memorial Arena for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday, May 15 and Friday, May 17.
If necessary, Syracuse will host Game 5 on Saturday, May 18. Springfield would be at home for Games 6 and 7 on Tuesday, May 21 and Wednesday, May 22 should the series reach those points.
All games in the series will begin at 7 p.m.
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.
Below is the Falcons' Eastern Conference Semifinals schedule:
Game 1 - Friday, May 10, MassMutual Center, Syracuse 5, Springfield 2
Game 2 - Saturday, May 11, 7 p.m., MassMutual Center
Game 3 - Wednesday, May 15, 7 p.m., War Memorial Arena
Game 4 - Friday, May 17, 7 p.m., War Memorial Arena
Game 5 - Saturday, May 18, 7 p.m., War Memorial Arena (if necessary)
Game 6 - Tuesday, May 21, 7 p.m., MassMutual Center (if necessary)
Game 7 - Wednesday, May 22, 7 p.m., MassMutual Center (if necessary)
DRAZENOVIC DEPOSITS ANOTHER
Nick Drazenovic scored for the second-straight game on Friday night. Drazenovic, who posted the series-winning goal in overtime of Game 4 against Manchester in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, guided a puck in from the right circle in the first period for his third-career playoff tally. He was on the ice for both of Springfield's goals, but none of Syracuse's conversions. Drazenovic is tied with Cody Bass for the Falcons' postseason scoring lead at four points (2g-2a).
CRAIG COLLECTS FIRST GOAL
Ryan Craig, who is tied for first in Falcons history with 29 power-play goals in the regular season, notched his first postseason tally with Springfield on Friday night. Craig tipped in a Nick Holden shot with less than two seconds to go in the game. The goal was the fifth of his Calder Cup Playoff career. He led Springfield in the regular season with 12 power-play strikes.
HOLDEN HELPS OUT
Nick Holden had the primary assist on each of Springfield's two goals last night, accumulating his first two points of the playoffs. Holden is the lone former Crunch skater on Springfield's roster.
A RARE OCCURRENCE
Curtis McElhinney was pulled for only the second time this season on Friday, and first since a 6-5 overtime loss in Portland on Nov. 23. McElhinney allowed five goals on nine shots in 30:10 of game action. The Falcons have played in three games this season in which they have had to make a goaltender swap. In addition to last night's contest and the game on Nov. 23, Springfield exchanged netminders on Mar. 28 on the way to a 5-4 victory over Bridgeport.
YORK STRONG IN DEBUT
Despite coming in with the Falcons facing a four-goal deficit, Allen York was perfect on all 11 shots he saw in the second half of Game 1. York's appearance was his first since the last game of the regular season on Apr. 20, a 3-2 win over Adirondack. It marked his professional postseason debut.
HOME HICCUP
Friday's loss was just the sixth on home ice for the Falcons dating back to Dec. 30. Springfield is 20-6-0-0 at the MassMutual Center during that stretch.
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