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Falcons Weekly Notes

November 18, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, Mass. - The Springfield Falcons (10-3-0-1) went 2-0-0-0 this past week, defeating the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 3-2 Friday night at the MassMutual Center and topping the Portland Pirates 2-1 in a shootout Saturday night at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.

The Falcons look to keep the current three-game winning streak going with two home games against division rivals this weekend - Friday, November 22 at 7:00 p.m. versus the Albany Devils and Saturday, November 23 versus the Hartford Wolf Pack. The team then travels to Providence to take on the Bruins Sunday, November 24 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.

Single-game tickets throughout the 2013-14 season can be purchased at the MassMutual Center box office from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to game time on Saturday home dates, and four hours prior to any Sunday home contests. Fans can also purchase tickets at Ticketmaster.com. For information about discounted group packages, call a Falcons' sales representative at (413) 739-GOAL (4625).

WEEK IN REVIEW

Springfield 3, Bridgeport 2

Friday, November 15

MassMutual Center

The Falcons defeated the Sound Tigers, due in large part to their success on special teams. Springfield went 2-for-6 on the power play, getting two scores with the man advantage from defenseman Blake Parlett. The team also denied Bridgeport on all seven of its power-play opportunities, setting a season high for most successful penalty kills in a game. Jack Skille added an even-strength goal and an assist and Tim Erixon chipped in with two assists.

Springfield 2, Portland 1 (SO)

Saturday, November 16

Androscoggin Bank Colisee

Springfield extended its winning streak to three games after Saturday night's 2-1 shootout win over Portland. The Falcons trailed late in the third period, but Darryl Boyce's power-play goal on a deflection of Cody Goloubef's shot from the point evened the score at 1-1 with only 3:46 remaining in regulation. After a scoreless overtime, the Falcons got shootout conversions from Goloubef and Sean Collins, while netminder Mike McKenna denied four of the five attempts he faced. McKenna made 35 saves on 36 shots through regulation and overtime. For Goloubef, the conversion was his second of the season, tied for the most by an AHL defenseman. Springfield again had success on special teams, going 1-for-5 on the power play and 7-for-7 on the penalty kill. The Falcons have had 17 consecutive successful penalty kills and now lead the entire AHL at 90.5 percent.

WEEK AHEAD

Friday, November 22 - Springfield vs. Albany, MassMutual Center, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 23 - Springfield vs. Hartford, MassMutual Center, 7:00 p.m.

- t-shirt giveaway presented by Country Hyundai, Country Nissan and Northampton Volkswagen

Sunday, November 24 - Springfield at Providence, Dunkin' Donuts Center, 3:05 p.m.

ERIXON, SKILLE RECALLED BY COLUMBUS

Defenseman Tim Erixon and forward Jack Skille were both recalled by the Columbus Blue Jackets Sunday. Erixon - who was loaned to Springfield October 11 - began the season with Columbus, but did not appear in a game. The 6-foot-3, 199-pound defenseman leads the Falcons with 13 points, 10 assists and five power-play points (two goals, three assists). Skille rejoins the Blue Jackets for the second time this season. The former first round draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks played one game with Columbus, recording one hit, one shot and one takeaway October 19 versus the Washington Capitals. Skille has posted three points (two goals, one assist) in six games with Springfield this season.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Falcons strong play on special teams has fueled the team's current three-game win streak and 5-1-0-0 record in the month of November. Over the last three games, Springfield is 5-for-19 on the power play, after converting on only 4-for-50 beforehand. The team is also 19-for-20 on the penalty kill over that span, raising its season rate to an AHL-best 90.5 percent (57-for-63).

DARRYL BOYCE

Falcons forward Darryl Boyce is riding a current three-game point streak alongside the team's three-game winning streak. Boyce scored a power-play goal Saturday night at Portland, evening the score with 3:46 remaining in regulation and forcing overtime. Springfield is 6-0-0-1 in games when Boyce records a point, with the only loss coming in a shootout at Providence October 25.

FIRST GOAL

The Falcons have scored the first of the game six times in 14 games so far this season. In those six games, Springfield is 6-0-0-0. The Falcons and the Chicago Wolves are the only two teams in the AHL that have not lost a game when scoring the first goal.

COLLINS RETURNED TO SPRINGFIELD

Forward Sean Collins was returned on loan to Springfield late Friday, November 15 after his second stint this season with the Columbus Blue Jackets. In his first game back with the team Saturday at Portland, Collins assisted on the equalizing goal late in the third period. The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native has posted six points (two goals, four assists) and a +3 rating in 10 games with the Falcons and one assist and a +2 rating in five games with the Blue Jackets this season.

FOOD DRIVE

The Falcons are partnering with the MassMutual Center to hold a food drive benefiting Open Pantry Community Services, located in Springfield. Open Pantry's mission is "to provide meaningful services and processes, with humanity and dignity, which can assist people who are hungry, homeless or disadvantaged to improve the quality of their lives." At the Falcons game versus the Hartford Wolf Pack Saturday, November 23, the MassMutual Center will accept donations of non-perishable food items at a table on the concourse behind section 2. Each donor will be eligible to win a MassMutual Center gift pack.

HOMETOWN HEROES JERSEY AUCTION

A number of the Falcons' Hometown Heroes jerseys - worn Friday, November 8 versus the Adirondack Phantoms - are up for bidding on the Falcons eBay page. Players whose jerseys are available include defensemen Cody Bass and Frederic St. Denis, forwards Dalton Smith, Cody Bass, Tim Miller, Jack Skille and Alex Aleardi, and goaltenders Mike McKenna and Jeremy Smith. The online auction ends Tuesday, November 19 at 8:00 p.m.

T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY SATURDAY NIGHT

Springfield Saturday night matchup against the Hartford Wolf Pack - set for 7:00 p.m. at the MassMutual Center - will feature a free t-shirt giveaway. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a Falcons 20th Anniversary t-shirt courtesy of Country Hyundai, Country Nissan and Northampton Volkswagen.

COME TO A FALCONS GAME

For information about available ticket packages or single-game tickets, fans can contact a Falcons' sale representative at (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visit the team website by clicking here. All the information is also available at Ticket Headquarters, located on the MassMutual Center concourse behind section 31 at all Falcons' home games.

The Falcons offer a number of affordable ticket packages to allow fans to enjoy the family entertainment for a low price. In addition to season-ticket plans, the team also offers flex packages for those who want to choose what games they want to attend and how many people they want to bring to each game. Flex packages are broken down into 44, 20 and 12-voucher plans, and the customer can use any number of those vouchers to any game, based on seat availability.

FALCONS NEST PRO SHOP

Fans can purchase their favorite team gear and apparel at the Falcons Nest Pro Shop, located inside the team office at 45 Falcons Way during normal business hours (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday) or online by clicking here. The shop is stocked with brand new merchandise for the 2013-14 season, including limited-edition apparel and novelty items featuring the new 20th anniversary logo. The Falcons Nest Pro Shop moves to the MassMutual Center concourse behind section 27 during all home games.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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