Falcons Game Preview: Springfield At Portland, Game #70
Published on April 7, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
Springfield Falcons (40-20-5-4) at Portland Pirates (38-25-3-2)
Sunday, April 7, 2013
4:00 p.m.
Cumberland County Civic Center
RADIO: (presented by FalconsWireless.com) WHYN NewsTalk 560 AM/WHYN.com
WEBCAST: AHLLive.com
IN JUST A FEW HOURS...
Following a crushing victory in Worcester last night, the playoff-bound Springfield Falcons look to win the F.G. (Teddy) Oke Trophy as the Northeast Division champions today when they close out the weekend in Portland at 4 p.m. against the Pirates. Last night, Spencer Machacek (1g-3a) and Nick Holden (0g-4a) each tied a Springfield season high with four points while Sean Collins and Ryan Russell both scored twice, as the Falcons did away with the Sharks, 7-1. The Falcons scored all seven of their goals in the second half of the contest, allowed just two shots in the third period for a game total of 16, scored twice on six power-play chances, and were shorthanded just once.
With the win, Springfield moved to within two points of capturing the Northeast. The division title would be the Falcons' third in team history, and their first since 1997-1998. Below are Springfield's division-clinching scenarios for this afternoon's contest:
- Springfield wins in Portland OR
- Connecticut loses in regulation at home against Providence OR
- Springfield and Connecticut each lose in overtime or a shootout
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.
Today's broadcast is presented by FalconsWireless.com and starts at 3:45 p.m. on WHYN 560 AM, WHYN.com, the iHeartRadio App, or AHLLive.com.
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).
SEASON SERIES ENDS TODAY
The Falcons and Pirates play the rubber match of their six-game season series today at the Cumberland County Civic Center, as Springfield ends its three-in-three weekend. Springfield would take the 2012-2013 battle with Portland by earning a regulation victory this afternoon. Portland prevailed at the MassMutual Center, 3-1, in the most recent meeting on Feb. 16.
MILESTONES REACHED
The Falcons obtained a 40-win season for the fourth time in franchise history and guaranteed themselves a winning campaign on the road for the second time in team history on Saturday. Both accomplishments were last recorded by the club in 1997-1998.
LIMITING THEIR CHANCES
Springfield allowed a season-low 16 shots to an opponent for the second-straight game on Saturday. The Falcons gave up 19 shots to Albany on Tuesday, and have relinquished only 51 over the three games this week.
CLIMBING HIGHER
Ryan Craig struck for the 59th time as a Falcon on Saturday and is two shy of Rob Murray for fifth in team history in goals. Craig deposited the game-winning tally at 11:21 of the second period, his 10th in a Springfield sweater. He moved into a tie for fourth in club history in that category. With one more conversion on the man advantage, Craig would become the club's all-time leading power-play goal scorer. He is currently tied with Danny Briere and Jean-Guy Trudel at 29 power-play goals. Craig's goal was his 20th of the season, giving him sole possession of first place on the club.
BIG NIGHTS
Spencer Machacek and Nick Holden tied a Springfield season high on Saturday with four points each. Machacek, who had a goal and three assists on Saturday, has five points on the weekend (2g-3a). Nick Holden tied a Falcons season high with four assists as well and has six helpers over the last two contests.
TWO PAIR
Sean Collins and Ryan Russell each scored twice for the Falcons on Saturday.
HITTING BLACKJACK
Nick Holden raised his team-best plus-minus rating to +21 on Saturday. The club record for the highest rating in a season is shared by Danny Briere and John Stevens at +23.
'JAM' KEEPS PACE
Jonathan Audy-Marchessault recorded an assist in Saturday's win, staying two points shy of the league's scoring lead. "JAM" leads the Falcons with 61 points (19g-42a).
A BIG DIFFERENCE
Springfield's +47 goal differential is the highest in the AHL.
LOVING THE LEAD
The Falcons have a league-high 31 victories when leading after the second period (31-1-0-0).
American Hockey League Stories from April 7, 2013
- IceHogs Raise over $40,000 During 14th Annual Jersey Auction - Rockford IceHogs
- Hogs Win Fourth Straight, Down Rivs - Rockford IceHogs
- IceHogs Hand Rivermen 4-1 Loss - Peoria Rivermen
- Aeros Land Bulldogs a 2-0 Loss - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Aeros Shutout Bulldogs, Post 2-0 Win - Houston Aeros
- Sound Tigers Defeat Phantoms 4-1 - Bridgeport Islanders
- Akeson Scores Again as Sound Tigers Prevail - Adirondack Phantoms
- Admirals Top Checkers Again - Milwaukee Admirals
- Texas Stars Clinch Playoff Spot, Blast San Antonio 5-1 - Texas Stars
- Rampage Dropped by Texas Stars, 5-1 - San Antonio Rampage
- Wolves Let Two Points Slip Away against Barons - Chicago Wolves
- Monarchs Score Great One - Manchester Monarchs
- Falcons Win Northeast Division Championship - Springfield Falcons
- Falcons Drop Pirates, Clinch Northeast Division - Portland Pirates
- Devils Earn Point in Shootout Loss - Albany Devils
- Bears Come Back But Fall to Penguins - Hershey Bears
- Penguins Edge Bears to Win Fifth Straight - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Checkers Earn Point against Milwaukee - Charlotte Checkers
- Providence Nips Whale 1-0 - Connecticut Whale
- Freddie Ties It Late But Sharks Fall in OT 4-3 - Worcester Sharks
- Bruins Defeat Whale 1-0 - Providence Bruins
- Coyotes Assign Johnson to Portland - Portland Pirates
- Hogs, Rivs Rematch at BMO for Jersey Auction Night - Rockford IceHogs
- Flames Recall Sven Baertschi from Abbotsford - Abbotsford Heat
- Canadiens Recall Nathan Beaulieu from Bulldogs - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Rampage Sign Forward Alexander Delnov to ATO - San Antonio Rampage
- Minnesota Signs Erik Haula, Assigns Forward To Houston - Houston Aeros
- Falcons Game Preview: Springfield At Portland, Game #70 - Springfield Falcons
- Pirates, Falcons Fight for Playoff Position - Portland Pirates
- Heat Beat the Griffins 3-2 in Shootout - Abbotsford Heat
- Abbotsford Defeats Grand Rapids 3-2 in a Shootout - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Sound Tigers Fall to Whale 3-2 - Bridgeport Islanders
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