Falcons Game Preview: Springfield Vs. Worcester, Game #63
March 22, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
Springfield Falcons (35-18-5-4) vs. Worcester Sharks (28-24-1-6)
Friday, March 22, 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 welcome the Worcester Sharks to the MassMutual Center, presented by Sargento, for the final time in the 2012-2013 season at 7 p.m. The Falcons returned to the win column on Wednesday night at the MassMutual Center, blanking the Manchester Monarchs, 2-0, behind 25 saves from Curtis McElhinney to increase their lead in the Northeast Division to 11 points with a game in hand on the Connecticut Whale. Thomas Larkin posted his first professional goal, while Andrew Joudrey also converted for the Falcons. The victory ended a six-game winless skid for Springfield, as the Falcons secured their first victory since they beat Worcester, 2-0, on Mar. 3. The Sharks are five points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference but are tied for the fewest games played in the league, still with 17 contests remaining this season.
Fans attending tonight's game will have the opportunity to win a new HDTV, courtesy of Manny's TV & Appliances, as part of "Flat-Screen Friday."
The Falcons venture to Bridgeport on Saturday, closing out their weekend against the Sound Tigers.
Tonight's broadcast is presented by FalconsWireless.com and starts at 6:58 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).
MCELHINNEY PILES UP THE RECORDS
Curtis McElhinney added to his extensive 2012-2013 resume on Wednesday by notching his ninth shutout of the season. McElhinney broke the Falcons career shutouts record in his 41st appearance with Springfield. Manny Legace set the original mark with eight shutouts in a club-high 153 outings. The 29-year-old also established a new standard for shutouts in a season by a goaltender in the 70-year history of AHL hockey in Springfield, previously held by Marcel Paille, who posted eight perfect outings with the Indians in 1960-1961. McElhinney is tied for fourth all-time for shutouts in a season by an AHL goaltender. Jason LaBarbera holds the record of 13, set with Hartford in the 2003-2004 season. With one more shutout, McElhinney would equal Maxime Ouellet (Portland, 2003-2004) and Frederic Cassivi (Cincinnati, 2004-2005) for the second most in an AHL season. McElhinney has 22-career AHL shutouts and 24 total as a pro, having also accomplished two at the NHL level. His nine shutouts lead the AHL, while his 24 wins place him in third in the league.
DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE CONTINUES
Springfield is on pace to set a franchise record for fewest goals against in a season. The Falcons are second in the AHL at 2.42 goals against/game and are on pace to give up 184 this season, 31 fewer than their record low of 215 in 1995-1996. Springfield has nine shutouts as a team, putting it one shy of equaling its club mark in that department. The Falcons registered 10 shutouts as a club in 1995-1996, which was an AHL record at the time.
PERFECT NIGHT FOR PENALTY KILL
Springfield's penalty kill on Wednesday night came up big in the early going, fighting off a 90 second Manchester five-on-three power play. The Falcons are fourth in the league while shorthanded at 86.1%.
FLYING BY
Springfield surpassed its 2011-2012 points total on Wednesday, reaching 79 in its 62nd contest. The Falcons accumulated 78 last season.
A CAREER FIRST
In just his second-professional contest, Thomas Larkin collected his first-career goal Wednesday night. Larkin's tally proved to be the game winner.
POWERED UP
Nick Drazenovic leads the AHL with 26 power-play points (9g-17a).
AT THE TOP
Nick Holden 's +18 rating is the highest among Falcon skaters.
CAPTAIN CRAIG CLIMBS THE CHARTS
Ryan Craig, with 56 goals as a Falcon, is one shy of Eric Healey for sixth in team history in that category. He is two power-play goals away from tying Danny Briere and Jean-Guy Trudel for the most man-advantage tallies in team history. Craig has 27 power-play goals, while Briere and Trudel netted 29 with the Falcons.
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