Falcons Playoff Game Preview: Game 3, Eastern Conference Semifinals
Published on May 15, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
2. Springfield Falcons (3-3) at 3. Syracuse Crunch (5-0)
Game 3
Syracuse leads series, 2-0
Eastern Conference Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Wednesday, May 15, 7 p.m.
War Memorial Arena
RADIO: (presented by FalconsWireless.com) WHYN NewsTalk 560 AM/WHYN.com
WEBCAST: AHLLive.com
IN JUST A FEW HOURS...
The Springfield Falcons play Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals when they meet the Syracuse Crunch tonight at the War Memorial Arena. The Crunch lead the best-of-seven series, 2-0, heading into this evening's 7 p.m. contest. Syracuse won Games 1 and 2 at the MassMutual Center last weekend behind seven-combined points (4g-3a) from Les Cunningham Award winner Tyler Johnson. Springfield and Syracuse will play Game 4 of the series on Friday, and, if necessary, Game 5 on Saturday at the War Memorial Arena.
If the series shifts back to Springfield, the Falcons would host Game 6 on Tuesday, May 21 and Game 7 on Wednesday, May 22. Fans can purchase tickets for the two remaining potential home games of the series 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.
Tonight's broadcast is presented by FalconsWireless.com and starts at 6:58 p.m. on WHYN 560 AM, WHYN.com, the iHeartRadio App, or AHLLive.com.
All games in the series begin at 7 p.m.
Below is the Falcons' Eastern Conference Semifinals schedule:
Game 1 - Friday, May 10, MassMutual Center, Syracuse 5, Springfield 2
Game 2 - Saturday, May 11, MassMutual Center, Syracuse 5, Springfield 3
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)
ROAD TO RECOVERY
The Falcons hit the road in the Eastern Conference Semifinals looking to become the 24th team in AHL history to overcome a 2-0 deficit and win a best-of-seven series. The most recent comeback of that variety occurred when Ryan Craig captained Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to a 4-2 series win over Norfolk in the 2011 East Division Semifinals. The Penguins lost the first two games of that series at home to the Admirals, Tampa Bay's AHL affiliate at the time, before responding with four-straight victories. Greg Amadio, Bryan Helmer, and Andrew Joudrey helped Hershey bounce back from a 2-0 hole following a pair of home losses in the 2010 Calder Cup Final, as the Bears defeated Texas to win the AHL's championship, 4-2. The city of Springfield has seen one victory in a best-of-seven series after a club has trailed, 2-0. That happened in 1991, when the Indians overcame a 2-0 series gap to down the Rochester Americans in the Calder Cup Final, 4-2. The Falcons have won one series in their history after dropping the first two contests. Springfield prevailed past Portland, 3-2, in the 1997 Southern Conference Quarterfinals with victories in Games 3, 4, and 5. The Crunch have been a part of three losses when leading a best-of-seven series, 2-0. Syracuse fell in the 2008 North Division Final to Toronto, 4-3, the 2006 North Division Semifinals to Manitoba, 4-2, and the 2002 Western Conference Semifinals to Chicago, 4-3, after winning Games 1 and 2 of those series.
TRIO TIED UP
Cody Bass, Nick Drazenovic, and Ryan Russell are tied for the team postseason-scoring lead with four points. Bass and Drazenovic combined for three overtime-winning goals in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, while Russell scored for the first time in the postseason on Saturday.
BOONE GETS GOING
Boone Jenner struck for the second time in the postseason in Game 2 on Saturday. Jenner, who leads Springfield with a +3 rating, topped the Falcons with six shots in the Game 2 defeat.
PROVIDING ASSISTANCE
Jonathan Audy-Marchessault secured his first multi-point game of the playoffs on Saturday, assisting on Ryan Russell and Boone Jenner's goals in Game 2. Audy-Marchessault led Springfield in 2012-13 with 67 points, 20 goals, and 47 assists.
HELPING THE CAUSE
Nick Holden, who was scoreless in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, amassed three assists in the two games against Syracuse this past weekend. Holden, who turns 26 today, is the only former Crunch skater on Springfield's postseason roster.
American Hockey League Stories from May 15, 2013
- Griffins Take 2-1 Series Lead with 5-4 Win - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Shutout Gives Crunch 3-0 Series Lead - Syracuse Crunch
- Barons Rally with Big Third Period to Beat Texas 7-3 - Texas Stars
- Marlies Fall 5-4 in Game Three - Toronto Marlies
- Penguins Fall on Bruins' Quick Strike in OT - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Falcons Blanked by Crunch in Game 3 - Springfield Falcons
- P-Bruins Win in Overtime 2-1 - Providence Bruins
- Community Invited to Participate in "Dawgs Bite Hunger Walk-A-Thon" - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Bill's Carpet and Shaprio Motors Allow Employees to be #ALLin - Syracuse Crunch
- Falcons Playoff Game Preview: Game 3, Eastern Conference Semifinals - Springfield Falcons
- Stars Weekly (Week 32) - Texas Entrenched in Fierce Playoff Battle - Texas Stars
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
