Falcons Reach New Peak

April 12, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Glens Falls, N.Y. - The Springfield Falcons (42-20-5-4), 2012-13 Northeast Division champions, improved to 22 games over .500 for the first time in their 19-year history on Friday night, notching their new high with a 3-2 victory over the Adirondack Phantoms (28-36-3-4) at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

Spencer Machacek scored late in regulation to break a 2-2 tie and lift the Falcons by the Phantoms. Springfield maintained its hold on second place in the Eastern Conference standings and trails Providence by two points for the top spot heading into a battle with the Bruins at the MassMutual Center on Saturday night.

David Savard's slick puck movement allowed the Falcons to jump on the board early. Savard carried the puck from his zone into Adirondack's end, circled around the net, held along the left-wing boards as a passing lane opened up, and then whistled a pass to Trent Vogelhuber in front of the net. Vogelhuber snapped in Savard's feed at 2:50 past Adirondack netminder Brian Boucher, providing Springfield with a 1-0 lead.

Adirondack took just 11 seconds into its first power play of the contest to even the score as Jason Akeson wristed a puck past Springfield goaltender Allen York at 6:25, making it 1-1.

Springfield went on its initial man-advantage opportunity of the contest in the developing stages of the second and, after York made a pair of denials on two Adirondack shorthanded chances, reclaimed the upper hand. Nick Holden took a drop pass at the left point from Machacek and ripped a slap shot past Boucher at 2:09, as Springfield took a 2-1 edge.

The Falcons held their cushion entering the third, but the Phantoms came back to knot the contest up following the halfway point of the period. Moments after a Springfield minor penalty expired, Matt Konan guided a long drive over York's glove and in at 12:16, as the Falcons and Phantoms embarked into the final scenes of the game even, 2-2.

Springfield, which never trailed in the game, went ahead for good late in regulation. Cody Goloubef fired a puck off of Boucher from the left point, and Machacek slipped in the rebound with 4:24 remaining. Ryan Russell blocked a shot in the final minute of the contest, while York denied Tye McGinn's slot attempt in the last 10 seconds, as Springfield held on, 3-2.

York (11-6-0) stopped 27 of 29 shots. Boucher (5-7-1) allowed three goals on Springfield's 29 opportunities.

Prior to Friday, the Falcons' record for games above .500 had been 21, initially set on Apr. 13, 1996 and equaled for the first time in nearly 17 years earlier this season.

Springfield and Providence kick off Fan Appreciation Weekend at the MassMutual Center at 7 p.m. on Saturday. The Falcons play their final regular-season home game on Sunday against the Connecticut Whale, with the opening face-off set for 3 p.m. For full details of Fan Appreciation Weekend, click here.

Single-game tickets to watch the Falcons compete in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals go on sale on Saturday at 10 a.m. 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.

Notes:

Machacek, who led Springfield on Friday with a goal and an assist, has seven points (3g-4a) over the last four outings...Holden extended his point streak to four games (1g-7a), while Savard increased his assist streak to four contests (0g-4a)...Springfield upped its record to 33-1-0-0 when leading after two periods...The Falcons closed out their four-game road stretch with wins in three-straight contests



American Hockey League Stories from April 12, 2013


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