Falcons Game Preview: Springfield At Bridgeport, Game #64

March 23, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield Falcons (36-18-5-4) at Bridgeport Sound Tigers (26-26-6-4)

Saturday, March 23, 2013

7:00 p.m.

Webster Bank Arena

RADIO: (presented by FalconsWireless.com) WHYN NewsTalk 560 AM/WHYN.com

WEBCAST: AHLLive.com

IN JUST A FEW HOURS...

The Springfield Falcons play the 1,500th regular-season game in franchise history when they head to Bridgeport to close out the week against the Sound Tigers at 7 p.m. Springfield won its second game in as many tries this week on Friday night, taking the lead just 13 seconds in on a Sean Collins goal and never looking back on the way to a 2-1 victory over the Worcester Sharks. Nick Holden had the game-winning goal on the power play in the second period, while Curtis McElhinney made 25 saves for his 25th victory of the season. The Falcons maintained their 11-point lead on the Connecticut Whale for first place in the Northeast Division with a game in hand. Springfield ventures to Bridgeport for the final time this season, and has taken points in each of the first six meetings with the Sound Tigers in 2012-2013. The Falcons will become the 13th team to play in 1,500 regular-season games in AHL history, one night after Syracuse became the 12th club to reach that mark.

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 returns home on Thursday for its final meeting with Bridgeport this year. The Falcons host Connecticut next Saturday, presented by Z Airport Parking. Both games next week commence at 7 p.m.

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).

MCELHINNEY LEADS THE WAY

Curtis McElhinney earned his second "first star" honor in as many games this week, setting aside 25 shots for his 25th win of the year on Friday. McElhinney's 25 victories are the third most in a season by a Falcons goaltender. The record is 30, set by Scott Langkow in 1997-1998. His nine shutouts top the league, are the most in a season and a career by a Falcons goaltender, and are the most in one year by a netminder in the 70-year history of AHL hockey in Springfield. McElhinney has allowed one goal in two games this week, having set aside 50 of the 51 shots he has seen.

DEFENSIVE DELIVERS AGAIN

In having permitted only one goal in two games this week, Springfield has lowered its club goals-against average to 2.40, second best in the AHL to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's 2.33. The Falcons are on pace to allow 182 goals this season, 33 fewer than their franchise low of 215, set in 1995-1996.

PERFECT PENALTY KILL

Springfield fended off all five shorthanded situations on Friday night, and has been perfect on the penalty kill in three-straight games (15/15). The Falcons are third in the league on the penalty kill at 86.3%.

DEFENDING 'THE NEST'

Springfield has won 15 of its 18 home games since Dec. 30 and are 21-8-1-3 at the MassMutual Center this season.

EQUAL TO THE TASK

Springfield earned its 36th win of the season on Friday, matching its 2011-2012 victory total.

HOLDEN HAUNTS SHARKS

Nick Holden scored the game-winning goal on Friday, his first tally since he struck in a 3-1 win over Worcester at The Nest on Feb. 15. Holden's goal on Feb. 15 was also the game winner.

FRIDAY FUN RETURNS

Springfield improved to 13-3-2-2 in Friday competition, garnering its first win on that day of the week since Mar. 1.

PROVIDING THE POWER

Nick Drazenovic leads the AHL with 26 power-play points (9g-17a), while Ryan Craig is tied for fourth with 24 points on the man advantage (10g-24a).

CAPTAIN CRAIG CLIMBS THE CHARTS

With 56 goals as a Falcon, Ryan Craig is one shy of Eric Healey for sixth in team history in that category. He is two power-play goals away from tying Danny Briere and Jean-Guy Trudel for the most man-advantage tallies in team history. Craig has 27 power-play goals, while Briere and Trudel netted 29 with the Falcons.



American Hockey League Stories from March 23, 2013


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