Falcons Game Preview: Springfield Vs. Providence, Game #72
April 13, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
Springfield Falcons (42-20-5-4) vs. Providence Bruins (45-21-0-5)
Saturday, April 13, 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 Northeast Division-champion Springfield Falcons return home to the MassMutual Center to kick off Fan Appreciation Weekend, hosting the Providence Bruins in a crucial Eastern Conference battle at 7 p.m. Springfield closed out its four-game road stretch with three-straight wins, the most recent coming against Adirondack on Friday by a score of 3-2. Spencer Machacek scored with 4:24 left in regulation to break a tie game and lift the Falcons by the Phantoms. The Falcons moved to 22 games over .500 for the first time in franchise history, breaking the previous mark of 21 games above .500, initially set 17-years ago today on Apr. 13, 1996. Springfield's 42 victories are tied for the second most in team history, three short of the record of 45, set in 1997-98.
The Falcons trail the Bruins by two points for first place in the conference and the AHL standings entering tonight's game. Springfield and Providence each have records of 4-3-0-1 and have both scored 21 goals in the first eight of 10 head-to-head meetings in 2012-13. The two clubs end the season series on Apr. 19 in Providence.
New England Patriots running back Stevan Ridley will appear at tonight's game, which is presented by Sherwin Williams. On Sunday, the Boston Bruins Alumni Team, featuring legends Ray Bourque and Terry O'Reilly, will play an exhibition game at the MassMutual Center at 12:30 p.m. prior to the Falcons' home regular-season finale versus the Connecticut Whale at 3 p.m. Following the game, the Falcons will sign autographs for fans in the MassMutual Center concourse. For full details of Fan Appreciation Weekend, click here.
Single-game tickets to watch the Falcons compete in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals are on sale now at the MassMutual Center Box Office, or online at Ticketmaster.com. For information on cost-saving ticket packages to watch the Falcons compete in the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs, click here. Springfield's postseason schedule will be announced on FalconsAHL.com when available. The AHL's regular season ends on Sunday, Apr. 21.
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.
HOME SLATE ENDS THIS WEEKEND
The Falcons play their final two home games of the regular season tonight and Sunday before taking to the road for the last three contests prior to the start of the Calder Cup Playoffs. Springfield would clinch its second-best season in terms of points percentage at the MassMutual Center with victories in both games this weekend. The Falcons' record for highest home points percentage is .725, set in 1996-97 (58 points in 40 games).
MACHACEK COMES UP BIG
Spencer Machacek deposited the go-ahead and game-winning goal with 4:24 left in regulation on Friday. Machacek added an assist as well and has seven points (3g-4a) over the last four games.
HOLDEN DELIVERS AGAIN
Nick Holden scored on the power play on Friday, increasing his point streak to four games (1g-7a). Holden is tied for sixth among AHL defensemen with a career-high 39 points (9g-30a). His +23 rating is the highest on the Falcons. The Falcons' record for the highest plus-minus mark in one season is +23, shared by Danny Briere and John Stevens.
SAVARD SETS IT UP
David Savard set up Trent Vogelhuber's goal on Friday night and now has assists in four-straight games (0g-4a). Savard has 75 assists in his career as a Falcon, placing him 10th in team history.
ANOTHER VICTORY
Curtis McElhinney won for the 28th time last Sunday, putting him two shy of equaling Scott Langkow's franchise record for victories in a season of 30, set in the 1997-98 campaign. McElhinney was named to the AHL Second All-Star Team for the second time in his career this past week.
AT THE TOP
Jonathan Audy-Marchessault leads the Falcons with 63 points (20g-43a) and was named to the AHL First All-Star Team.
CRAIG CLOSES IN
Ryan Craig is tied for the most goals in Falcons history on the power play with 29, matching Danny Briere and Jean-Guy Trudel.
BIG DIFFERENCE
The Falcons' +50 goal differential is the highest in the AHL.
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