Falcons Playoff Game Preview: Game 3, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Published on May 2, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
2. Springfield Falcons (2-0) at 7. Manchester Monarchs (0-2)
Game 3, Springfield leads series, 2-0
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals (best-of-five)
Thursday, May 2, 2013, 7 p.m.
Verizon Wireless Arena
RADIO: (presented by FalconsWireless.com) WHYN NewsTalk 560 AM/WHYN.com
WEBCAST: AHLLive.com
IN JUST A FEW HOURS...
After winning the first two contests of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at home on overtime goals by Cody Bass this past Saturday and Sunday, the Springfield Falcons aim to take the best-of-five series and advance in the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs when they play Game 3 tonight at 7 p.m. against the Manchester Monarchs at the Verizon Wireless Arena.
Bass became the third player in league history to score in overtime in back-to-back games of a playoff series. His tip-in of a Ryan Russell shot 10:36 into the first overtime on Saturday gave Springfield its first postseason victory since Apr. 21, 2003, while his backhander on Sunday 18:44 into sudden death provided the Falcons with a 2-0 series lead.
The Falcons, trying to advance tonight to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, are seeking their second series sweep in franchise history, and first since they defeated Hartford, 2-0, in the Eastern Conference Qualifying Round before falling to Hamilton in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in 2003. Springfield is in search of its first conference semifinals appearance since 1997, and third in club history. The Falcons went 3-0-0-0 in Manchester this season, winning on Nov. 30, Dec. 16, and Jan. 15. Tonight's game marks Springfield's first meeting with May hockey since 1997.
The Falcons are guaranteed to play at least one more home game this year. If Manchester wins Games 3 and 4, a decisive Game 5 would be in Springfield on Sunday, May 5 at 4 p.m. The MassMutual Center Box Office would open on Sunday at 10 a.m. if Game 5 is necessary. Should the Falcons prevail in either Game 3 or 4, Springfield would play a minimum of two home games in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Semifinals. For information on cost-saving postseason ticket packages, call (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or click here.
Below is the Falcons' opening-round schedule:
Game 1 - Saturday, Apr. 27, MassMutual Center, Springfield 2, Manchester 1 (OT)
Game 2 - Sunday, Apr. 28, 4 p.m., MassMutual Center, Springfield 3, Manchester 2 (OT)
Game 3 - Thursday, May 2, 7 p.m., Verizon Wireless Arena
Game 4 - Saturday, May 4, 7 p.m., Verizon Wireless Arena (if necessary)
Game 5 - Sunday, May 5, 4 p.m., MassMutual Center (if necessary)
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.
STRONG BEGINNING FOR MCELHINNEY
Curtis McElhinney allowed three goals in nearly 150 minutes over two games last weekend and exited the first weekend of the Calder Cup Playoffs atop the AHL with a .959 save percentage and a 1.21 goals-against average. He maintains his league lead in save percentage, while checking in second now in goals-against average.
LENDING A HELPING HAND
Ryan Russell's three assists make him the Falcons' scoring leader through two games. The fifth-year pro registered assists on each of Cody Bass' game-winning goals last weekend. Russell celebrates his 26th birthday today.
REGULAR-SEASON FORM
Nick Holden, who set a Falcons single-season record with a +24 rating in 2012-13, leads Springfield with a +3 mark through two playoff games.
STARTING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT
The Falcons have won the first two games of a playoff series for the fourth time in franchise history.
SUDDEN-DEATH SUCCESS
In their postseason history, the Falcons are now 8-3 in sudden-death overtime. Game 2 was the longest contest in the club's history, lasting 78:44. Their prior longest game occurred on Apr. 13, 1997, when Springfield defeated Portland at home, 3-2, in Game 3 of the Northern Conference Quarterfinals, 74:05 into the action. Cody Bass' two overtime tallies are the most ever by a Falcon in a playoff career.
WINNING WAYS
Springfield won Game 1 when leading after two periods, and was victorious in Game 2 when facing a deficit after 40 minutes. The Falcons led the league with 35 victories in 2012-13 when leading after two (35-1-0-0) and have collected wins in 23-straight games when carrying the advantage into the third. Springfield won three times in the regular season when trailing after two, and now has four victories in playoff history in that situation.
American Hockey League Stories from May 2, 2013
- Pens Complete Sweep, Defeat B-Sens 3-2 in Game 3 - Binghamton Senators
- Meckler Springs Monarchs Back into Series - Manchester Monarchs
- Crunch Sweep Pirates with 4-3 OT Win - Syracuse Crunch
- Penguins Rally Past Sens to Sweep Series - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Jones, Monarchs Deny Falcons in Game 3 - Springfield Falcons
- Pirates Face Crunch in Must Win Game 3 - Portland Pirates
- Falcons Playoff Game Preview: Game 3, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals - Springfield Falcons
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