Falcons Crush Sharks, Close In On Division Title

Published on April 6, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Worcester, Mass. - The Springfield Falcons (40-20-5-4) delivered one of their most decisive verdicts of the season at the DCU Center to close to within two points of clinching the Northeast Division title.

The Falcons dominated the Worcester Sharks (29-31-2-6) in every facet of Saturday night's game. Springfield won, 7-1, and outshot Worcester, 36-16. The Falcons allowed just two shots in the third, scored on two of their six power-play chances, and were shorthanded only once in the contest.

Springfield's magic number to win the F.G. (Teddy) Oke Trophy as the Northeast's champion decreased to two points.

The Falcons also reached a pair of milestones not seen since their 1997-1998 season, as Springfield ensured a 40-win campaign and also sealed a winning road record.

The Sharks jumped out to a quick lead, scoring on their first shot of the game. Peter Sivak took a puck from Matt Nieto at center ice, skated into the left circle, faked out Springfield goaltender Allen York with a leg pump, and lifted a shot in on the doorstep at 2:09 to make it 1-0.

York settled down after Sivak's early goal and was perfect the rest of the way. Sharks netminder Alex Stalock was unfazed by Springfield's 11 tries in the opening frame, though, as Worcester stayed in front through 20 minutes.

The Falcons continued to chip away at Stalock, outshooting the Sharks in the second, 13-6. In a span of 1:13 in the second period, Springfield took control of the contest.

Ryan Russell and Michael Chaput worked the puck toward the net just past the halfway point of the game. Chaput had a great look on a feed from Russell, but Stalock turned aside the shot to the right goal line. Russell spotted the rebound and beat Stalock glove side from a tight angle, evening the contest, 1-1, at 10:08.

The Falcons provided more pressure following the tying tally, and after Stalock deflected a Nick Holden blast, Ryan Craig blasted in the rebound from the right circle, as the Falcons went ahead, 2-1, at 11:21.

Springfield opened its cushion to 3-1 with a power-play conversion later in the stanza, as Sean Collins finished off a backdoor look from Spencer Machacek in the right circle. Collins snapped the puck past Stalock's glove at 18:08, and the Falcons took a two-goal edge into the second intermission.

Russell wasted no time capitalizing on the momentum generated by Springfield's second-period push. The fifth-year pro picked off a pass moments into the third, escaped on a breakaway, and flicked a shot off of Stalock's glove and into the cage 21 seconds in, upping Springfield's bubble to 4-1.

His goal was the first of four by Springfield in the period.

Machacek slammed in a rebound from the left circle off a Collins shot on the power play at 7:24, putting Springfield out of reach from Worcester, 5-1.

Chaput took an entry pass from Machacek at the Sharks blue line and used a forehand, backhand deke at 8:42 to give the Falcons additional padding, 6-1.

Collins pushed in a setup from Matthew Ford on a two-on-one rush under a minute later, as Springfield completed its surge at 9:34, earning a 7-1 victory.

York (10-6-0) set aside each of the final 15 shots he faced to close out the game following the Sharks' early, and lone, connection. Stalock (15-14-3) let in seven goals in 36 attempts.

The Falcons' division-clinching scenarios for Sunday are as follows:

- Springfield wins in Portland OR - Connecticut loses in regulation at home against Providence OR - Springfield and Connecticut each lose in overtime or a shootout

Springfield locked in a berth to the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs on Friday night. 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.

The Falcons finish their weekend in Portland on Sunday. After playing at Adirondack on Friday, Apr. 12, Springfield returns 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).

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