Falcons Game Preview: Springfield Vs. Connecticut, Game #66
April 1, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
Springfield Falcons (38-18-5-4) vs. Connecticut Whale (33-26-5-3)
Saturday, March 30, 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 rival Connecticut Whale at the MassMutual Center with the opening drop of the puck scheduled for 7 p.m., presented by Z Airport Parking. Springfield is on a four-game winning streak and kicked off its week on Thursday with a 5-4 come-from-behind victory at home over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Matthew Ford and Jonathan Audy-Marchessault each scored a goal and added two assists, while Alex Aleardi registered the game-winning tally in his first professional contest.
Springfield has an 11-point lead on Connecticut for first place in the Northeast Division with two games in hand on the Whale. The Falcons trail Syracuse and Providence by two points for the top spot in the Eastern Conference with games in hand on both clubs. Springfield's magic number to guarantee a playoff spot is five points. The Falcons' magic number to eliminate Connecticut from division contention and clinch the Northeast is eight points.
The first 250 people into the building tonight will receive a Falcons removable wall graphic, courtesy of Super Big Pics, while the first 500 fans will get an LED flashlight keychain from Z Airport Parking. All fans will be given a coupon for two free days of parking at Z Airport Parking. Fans can also participate in a raffle held by Z Airport Parking during the game.
During the second intermission of tonight's game, the Springfield Team Final for the 2013 Labatt Blue AHL Bubble Hockey Tournament of Champions will be held on the MassMutual Center ice. The Team Final champion will move onto the Tournament Finals at the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y. on Sunday, Apr. 21. Falcons players Jake Hansen and Allen York kicked off the Springfield 2013 tournament on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at Pasquale's Restaurant in East Longmeadow. The 2013 Labatt Blue AHL Bubble Hockey Tournament of Champions winner receives a Super Chexx Bubble Hockey game.
Fans will also have a chance to win a free bicycle tonight, courtesy of Gus Coelho Auto Repair at 442 Holyoke St. in Ludlow, as part of "Cycle Saturday." Additionally, characters from Six Flags New England in Agawam will be in attendance.
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 hosts Albany on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the MassMutual Center, presented by Mohawk Communications. The game was rescheduled from Feb. 8 due to the effects of Winter Storm Nemo.
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).
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
Alex Aleardi made his professional debut on Thursday nine days after signing an ATO with the Falcons. Aleardi scored the game-winning goal at 4:15 of the third period, giving Springfield its first and only lead of the evening and completing the comeback.
CRAIG CLOSES IN
Ryan Craig tipped in a Matthew Ford blast in the first period on Thursday night, netting his 28th power-play goal in a Falcons uniform to move to within one of equaling Danny Briere and Jean-Guy Trudel for the most in team history. Craig equaled Eric Healey on the play for sixth in franchise history with his 57th goal overall.
'JAM' GENERATES OFFENSE
Jonathan Audy-Marchessault recorded his first three-point game (1g-2a) on Thursday since he registered a hat trick in Manchester on Jan. 15. Audy-Marchessault, with a team-best 58 points (19g-39a), is four points shy of the league scoring lead.
'ZEN' MASTER ADDS POWER
Nick Drazenovic assisted on Ryan Craig's power-play tally on Thursday. He has a league-leading 27 points on the man advantage (9g-18a).
'WILL'ING THE PUCK IN
Will Weber notched his second-pro tally early in the third on Thursday. Both of Weber's two pro goals have come against Rick DiPietro, having also scored against him on Mar. 12.
OWNING 'THE NEST'
Springfield has won 16 of its last 19 games at the MassMutual Center since Dec. 30 and is tied for the second-most points at home in the league with 48.
BATTLING BACK
The Falcons' win on Thursday was their third this season when trailing after two periods (3-12-2-2), and first since the completion of the suspended Feb. 17 game on Mar. 1.
STICK A 'FOUR'K IN IT
After not winning four-straight games since Dec. 23 to 30, 2006, Springfield has accomplished that feat twice in 2012-2013. The Falcons' current four-game winning streak is two shy of their season high of six, set from Jan. 12 to 23.
20/20 VISION
Springfield tied a season high by moving to 20 games over .500, and is a win tonight of tying the all-time franchise record of 21 games above .500, set on Apr. 13, 1996.
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