Falcons Game Preview: Springfield Vs. Providence, Game #54
Published on March 2, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
Springfield Falcons (32-14-4-3) vs. Providence Bruins (32-18-0-4)
Saturday, March 2, 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 and the Providence Bruins square off at 7:00 p.m. on "Pink in the Right Night presented by TD Bank" at the MassMutual Center. The Falcons began their three-in-three weekend in style on Friday night, finishing off their suspended Feb. 17 game with a come-from-behind, 3-2 shootout win over Adirondack before throttling the Phantoms in the second contest of the doubleheader, 7-2. Jonathan Audy-Marchessault's highlight-reel goal won the shootout in the first game for the Falcons, while seven different Springfield skaters struck in the latter contest. Springfield extended its Northeast Division lead to 12 points over the Connecticut Whale, and moved to within three points of the Syracuse Crunch for the Eastern Conference's top spot.
The Falcons and the Bruins enter tonight's contest as two of the league's top teams. Providence is atop the East Division, and has won 12 of its last 15 games. Springfield is 3-2-0-0 against Providence this season, and has been victorious in each of the last two matchups.
The first 2,000 fans into the building tonight will receive pink thundersticks, and proceeds from a game-worn pink jersey auction will benefit the Mary Kay Foundation. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to tonight's game to support this evening's cause.
Springfield closes out its home three-in-three on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. against the Worcester Sharks. The first 1,000 fans into the building 12 and under will receive youth specialty Falcons jerseys from Dunkin Donuts. Following the game, fans can skate on the MassMutual Center ice with Falcons players. Fans are also encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the game to benefit the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
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.
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).
HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT
Jonathan Audy-Marchessault's shootout-winning goal in the first game on Friday was the #3 highlight of ESPN SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays of Mar. 1. In the second contest on Friday, Audy-Marchessault snapped a 14-game drought with his first goal since Jan. 15. He equaled Cam Atkinson and Ryan Johansen for the team lead at 17 goals. 'JAM' had an assist in the win as well, moving him into a tie for the league lead with 34 helpers. He is now in a share of third place in the AHL with 51 points. Click here to watch Audy-Marchessault's shootout goal.
'HOWES' WE'VE MISSED YOU
Scott Howes returned to game action for the first time since Feb. 1 in the doubleheader on Friday and made immediate contributions. Howes sent the first game into overtime with a power-play goal halfway through the third period, and then connected again in the first period of the latter contest for his fourth and fifth goals in a Springfield sweater.
COLLINS CLICKS IN RETURN
After making his NHL debut in two games with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Sean Collins returned to the Falcons lineup on Friday and contributed four points (1g-3a) in the two wins. Collins factored in on Howes' conversion in the first game, and then accumulated a career-high three points with a goal and two assists in the second contest.
BATTLING BACK
The Falcons' win in the first game on Friday was their first when trailing after two periods since Nov. 30 in Manchester.
WORTH THE WAIT
Springfield's five-goal win on Friday night was its largest since it beat Connecticut, 5-0, three months ago on Dec. 2. The Falcons' seven goals tied their second-largest output of the season, and was their biggest since their 7-5 win in Manchester on Jan. 15
A SEASON HIGH
Springfield's 44 shots in the completion of the Feb. 17 game were a season high.
THREE IN A ROW
Since dropping their first-three shootout decisions of the season, the Falcons have won each of their last three appearances in the skills competition.
STILL IN FIRST
Springfield moved into first place in the Northeast Division when play ended on Oct. 26, and has held that spot for four-straight months.
CAPTAIN CLOSES IN
Ryan Craig is two power-play goals shy of equaling Danny Briere and Jean-Guy Trudel for the most tallies on the man advantage in team history. Craig has 27 power-play goals, while Briere and Trudel each accumulated 29 while donning a Falcons sweater.
American Hockey League Stories from March 2, 2013
- Brock Nelson nets game-winner late in regulation, Rick DiPietro makes 22 saves to earn win - Bridgeport Islanders
- Rampage Defeat Chicago, 2-1, on Military Appreciation Night - San Antonio Rampage
- Hogs Come up Short in Loss to Ads - Rockford IceHogs
- Barons Slip by Stars 5-4 in Shootout - Texas Stars
- PINK IN THE RINK NIGHT A SUCCESS AS FALCONS WIN IN SHOOTOUT - Springfield Falcons
- Crunch Fall to Amerks in Overtime - Syracuse Crunch
- Rivermen Handle Griffins 4-1 - Peoria Rivermen
- Griffins Give up Four Consecutive Goals in Loss to Peoria - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Monsters Start Back-To-Back with Shutout Loss - Cleveland Monsters
- Johnson's Solid Start Spoiled in Shootout against Sharks - Portland Pirates
- Wolves Get Bulled over by Rampage, 2-1 - Chicago Wolves
- Admirals Defeat Rockford 3-2 - Milwaukee Admirals
- Penguins End Home Stand with Shootout Win over Devils - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- DiPietro Nips Munroe in Bridgeport - Adirondack Phantoms
- Tokarski, Bulldogs Spook Monsters 2-0 - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Albany Devils Fall Late in Shootout - Albany Devils
- Sateri Super with 37 Saves and Shuts Door in Shootout Win - Worcester Sharks
- Bruins Fall to Falcons in Shootout - Providence Bruins
- Admirals See Late Lead Vanish in Hershey - Norfolk Admirals
- IceCaps Set Back by Monarchs - St. John's IceCaps
- Bears Stun Admirals with Late Comeback - Hershey Bears
- Jones Ices Caps - Manchester Monarchs
- Toronto Falls 4-2 against Binghamton - Toronto Marlies
- B-Sens Defeat Marlies, 4-2 - Binghamton Senators
- Kings Announce Roster Moves - Manchester Monarchs
- Julseth-White Signed to PTO - Providence Bruins
- Hogs Seek Lucky Number Seven - Rockford IceHogs
- Falcons Game Preview: Springfield Vs. Providence, Game #54 - Springfield Falcons
- Pirates Assign Louis Domingue to Gwinnett - Portland Pirates
- Aeros Fall to Heat 4-2 - Houston Aeros
- Pirates Go Purple to Face Sharks in Portland - Portland Pirates
- Heat Rally in 4-2 Win over Aeros - Abbotsford Heat
- Rockford Extends Streak to Six, Downs Peoria 4-1 - Rockford IceHogs
- Admirals Drop 5-1 Decision to Grand Rapids - Milwaukee Admirals
- Montreal Canadiens Recall Gabriel Dumont - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Power Play Pushes 'Hogs Past Rivermen - Peoria Rivermen
- Holland, McMillan Lead Charge as Admirals Rout Checkers - Norfolk Admirals
- Nyquist's Three-Point Night Lifts Griffins Past Admirals - Grand Rapids Griffins
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