Falcons Playoff Game Preview: Game 4, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
May 4, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
Game 4, Springfield leads series, 2-1
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals (best-of-five)
Saturday, May 4, 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...
The Springfield Falcons play Game 4 of the best-of-five Eastern Conference Quarterfinals tonight against the Manchester Monarchs, with the first drop of the puck scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Arena. After winning the first two contests of the series last weekend in Springfield on a pair of Cody Bass overtime goals, the Falcons underwent a 2-1 loss in Game 3 to the Monarchs on Thursday night in Manchester. David Savard registered the Falcons' lone goal on the power play in the first period, while Curtis McElhinney made 26 saves on 28 shots in defeat. A victory in Game 4 would advance Springfield to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the third time in team history, and first since 1997.
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.
If the Falcons fall to the Monarchs tonight, Game 5 would be played in Springfield on Sunday at 4 p.m. Tickets for Game 5 are on sale now by clicking here, or by visiting the MassMutual Center Box Office until 4 p.m. on Saturday. The MassMutual Center Box Office will open at 10 a.m. on Sunday if Game 5 is necessary.
Should the Falcons win Game 4 and move on in the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs, tickets for Game 5 can be exchanged at the MassMutual Center Box Office for seats to Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the price difference of a dollar. The Eastern Conference Semifinals would open in Springfield on Friday, May 10 or Saturday, May 11 depending on the outcome of the Providence/Hershey Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series.
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, Manchester 2, Springfield 1
Game 4 - Saturday, May 4, 7 p.m., Verizon Wireless Arena
Game 5 - Sunday, May 5, 4 p.m., MassMutual Center (if necessary)
SAVARD SLAMS IN ANOTHER
David Savard connected on the power play for the second-straight game on Thursday. Savard is tied for the Falcons' scoring lead with Ryan Russell at three points. His two goals are even for the most on Springfield with Cody Bass, who scored in overtime in Games 1 and 2 of the series.
GOALTENDERS BATTLE IT OUT
Curtis McElhinney and Martin Jones have put together strong efforts in all three games of the series. McElhinney exited Thursday's game in second place in the Calder Cup Playoffs with a 1.44 goals-against average and third with a .950 save percentage. He has set aside 96 of 101 shots in the series. Jones came away from the game sixth with a 1.72 goals-against average and seventh with a .943 save percentage. He has turned aside 100 of 106 attempts. In eight-career Calder Cup Playoff contests, McElhinney is 4-4 with a .926 save percentage and a 1.85 goals-against average.
ANOTHER NAILBITER
Springfield and Manchester have played in three-straight one-goal games to open the series. The Falcons' loss by one goal on Thursday was their first since Apr. 5 in Connecticut, when Springfield fell, 4-3. Springfield had won six-straight one-goal decisions prior to Thursday. The Falcons are 13-10 in playoff history and were 18-9-5-4 in one-goal games during the 2012-13 regular season.
'HOLDEN' DOWN THE FORT
Nick Holden, who set a Falcons single-season record with a +24 rating in 2012-13, leads Springfield with a +3 mark through three playoff games.
MAY HOCKEY RETURNS
Game 3 marked Springfield's first meeting with May hockey since 1997, and the third in franchise history. The Falcons are 9-9 all-time in May action.
THIRSTY FOR A THURSDAY WIN
Despite being .500 or better in their postseason history in five of the seven days of the week, the Falcons fell to 0-6 in Thursday competition with their Game 3 loss.
MANCHESTER REIGN ENDS
The Falcons, who were 3-0-0-0 at the Verizon Wireless Arena this season, lost for the first time in Manchester on Thursday since Mar. 9, 2012. Jeff Zatkoff, that evening, shut out the Falcons with a 28-save performance.
American Hockey League Stories from May 4, 2013
- Falcons Do It Again In Overtime, Advance Past Monarchs - Springfield Falcons
- Griffins Tie AHL Record in 7-0 Series-Clinching Win - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Monarchs' Season Nick'd in OT - Manchester Monarchs
- Checkers' Season Ends with 6-2 Loss in Game 5 - Charlotte Checkers
- Bruins Power Past Bears to Force Fourth Game - Hershey Bears
- P-Bruins Stave off Elimination with 5-1 Win - Providence Bruins
- Barons Advance to Play Texas in 2nd Round of Calder Cup Playoffs - Oklahoma City Barons
- American Hockey League Announces Western Conference Semifinal Schedules - AHL
- Texas Stars to Face Oklahoma City Barons in Second Round - Texas Stars
- Griffins Take Game 5, Win Series - Houston Aeros
- Griffins to Battle Marlies in Round Two - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Marlies to Play Grand Rapids in Western Conference Semi Final - Toronto Marlies
- Falcons Playoff Game Preview: Game 4, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals - Springfield Falcons
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