Falcons Game Preview: Springfield Vs. Albany, Game #38

January 19, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield Falcons (22-9-3-3) vs. Albany Devils (15-13-1-6)

Saturday, January 19, 2013

7:00 p.m.

MassMutual Center

TICKETS: (413) 739-GOAL/MassMutual Center Box Office/Ticketmaster.com

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

WEBCAST: AHLLive.com

IN JUST A FEW HOURS...

The Springfield Falcons battle the Albany Devils at 7:00 p.m. at the MassMutual Center on "Red Sox Night presented by AAA Travel." On Friday night, the Falcons won their third-straight game, defeating the Connecticut Whale at The Nest, 4-2. Tim Erixon and Nick Drazenovic scored for the Falcons in the opening period while Ryan Craig and Tomas Kubalik added second-period tallies. Allen York made 24 saves on 26 shots for his third win in as many tries.

During tonight's game, Boston Red Sox mascot Wally the Green Monster and Screech will pick the winner of the "AAA Spring Training Getaway" during the first intermission. Five finalists were selected from entries through the five AAA Pioneer Valley locations and through AAA.com/Promo to win a three-day, two-night trip to Fort Myers. The grand prize includes two round-trip airline tickets, a two-night hotel stay, and two tickets to two Red Sox spring training games. The Pawtucket Red Sox and their mascot, Paws, will be displaying their Governors' Cup in the concourse as part of their 2012 International League championship celebration. Fans can also win a free bicycle courtesy of Gus Coelho Auto Repair at 442 Holyoke St. in Ludlow as part of "Cycle Saturday" at the MassMutual Center (GusAutoRepair.net).

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).

LUCKY THIRTEEN?

Springfield embarks on its 13th attempt tonight to win four-straight games within the same season since last accomplishing the feat from Dec. 23 to 30, 2006. The Falcons have fallen in 12 tries at posting a fourth-consecutive victory over the last six years, including three times in 2012-2013 with a pair of losses to Providence and one to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Springfield was victorious in two-straight games to end 2011-2012 and three-consecutive outings to start 2012-2013 to earn five wins in a row over two seasons.

DEFENDING THE NEST

Springfield has won four-consecutive home games within the same season for the first time since ending the 2011-2012 campaign with victories in five-straight games at the MassMutual Center. The Falcons won eight-consecutive home games from the end of last season through the start of the current campaign.

HALFWAY HOME

After tonight's game, Springfield will be halfway through the 2012-2013 season. With a win tonight, the Falcons would seal the best first half in their 19-year history. Springfield went 23-9-8 in the first 40 contests of the 80-game 1995-1996 season for a points percentage of .675. A win tonight would lift the Falcons' points percentage to .684 after 38 of 76 contests. The Falcons have already clinched the second-best first half in franchise history.

ERIXON, "JAM" HAUNT FORMER CLUB

Tim Erixon had a goal and an assist while Jonathan Audy-Marchessault posted two helpers on Friday night, as the two former Whale skaters continued to dominate Connecticut in 2012-2013. In six games versus the Whale, Audy-Marchessault leads Springfield with 11 points (1g-10a) while Erixon is second with nine points (4g-5a). Four of Erixon's career-high five goals have come against Connecticut. Audy-Marchessault has points in five-straight games (7g-5a) and is third in the league with a Springfield-best 42 points.

CAPTAIN KEEPS IT UP

Ryan Craig has points in eight of the last nine games (6g-5a) and notched his 51st goal in a Springfield sweater on Friday. Craig will tie Scott Levins for eighth in Falcons history in goals scored with his next tally.

NICK NOTCHES TWO POINTS

Nick Drazneovic scored a goal and added an assist on Friday. Drazenovic has 23 assists on the season, trailing only Jonathan Audy-Marchessault's 25 for the team lead.

HELMER MAKES HISTORY

Bryan Helmer became the third player to skate in 19 AHL seasons when he made his Falcons debut on Friday.

EXTRA SPECIAL

Springfield has power-play goals in nine-straight games and is the only team in the league with a top five power play and penalty kill.

NUMBER ONE

The Falcons' +35 goal differential is tops in the AHL.

MURKY MIDDLE

Springfield is winless in the middle contest of a three-in-three stretch this season with a record of 0-2-1-2.



American Hockey League Stories from January 19, 2013


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