Sports stats



Falcons Weekly Notes

November 25, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, Mass. - The Springfield Falcons (13-3-0-1) went 3-0-0-0 this past week, defeating the Albany Devils 5-3 Friday night, the Hartford Wolf Pack 4-0 Saturday night and the Providence Bruins 5-2 Sunday afternoon. Winners of their last six games and eight of their last nine, the Falcons have the best points percentage in the American Hockey League (.794).

The Falcons look to keep the current six-game winning streak going with two games this weekend - Friday, November 29 at the Manchester Monarchs and Saturday, November 30 versus the Portland Pirates at the MassMutual Center. The puck drop for Saturday's game is set for 7:00 p.m.

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 5, Albany 3

Friday, November 22

MassMutual Center

The Falcons defeated the Devils by the final score of 5-3 in the first matchup between the two division rivals. Jonathan Marchessault scored two power-play goals, while Dalton Smith, Ryan Craig and Frederic St. Denis each added a tally of their own. Defenseman Blake Parlett chipped in with two assists - both coming on the power play - and netminder Jeremy Smith made 19 saves to earn the victory.

Springfield 4, Hartford 0

Saturday, November 23

MassMutual Center

Springfield extended its winning streak to five games with Saturday night's 4-0 win over Hartford. After a scoreless first period, defenseman Ilari Melart scored at 1:07 of the middle frame to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. Melart's first pro goal in North America served as the game-winner, as goaltender Mike McKenna recorded the team's first shutout of the season. McKenna stopped all 15 shots he faced, improving his record to 5-2-0. Frederic St. Denis, Andrew Joudrey and Patrick McNeill also added scores in the contest, as the Falcons went 2-for-10 on the power play in a game that featured 169 penalty minutes between the two teams. Springfield went 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.

Springfield 5, Providence 2

Sunday, November 24

Dunkin' Donuts Center

The Falcons won their sixth consecutive game Sunday afternoon, topping the Bruins by the final score of 5-2 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. Springfield never trailed in the contest, getting goals from five different players. Cody Goloubef's power-play tally at 17:51 of the second period served the game-winning goal, as the defenseman trailed an odd-man rush and fired a slap shot from the high slot past Providence netminder Niklas Svedberg. Goloubef became the ninth different Falcon to score a game-winning goal this season. Austin Madaisky scored his first AHL goal, firing a slap shot right off the face off by Svedberg at 10:34 of the second period. Sean Collins, Alex Aleardi and Jake Hansen added scores in the contest as well. The Falcons notched two power-play goals for the third straight game and for the fifth time in their last six games.

WEEK AHEAD

Friday, November 29 - Springfield at Manchester, Verizon Wireless Arena, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 30 - Springfield vs. Portland, MassMutual Center, 7:00 p.m.

- Small Business Saturday presented by Independent Insurance Agents

CRAIG REACHES MILESTONES, OTHERS IN SIGHT

Springfield captain Ryan Craig reached two milestones over the past weekend. Friday night, the Abbotsford, British Columbia native scored his 61st goal in a Falcons uniform, matching former Springfield captain Rob Murray for fifth on the franchise's all-time goal scoring list. Saturday, Craig added two assists, surpassing Scott Levins for 10th on the Falcons' all-time points list. The 6-foot-2, 213-pound winger has recorded 115 points in 193 games with Springfield. Looking forward, Craig is 11 games shy of tying Goran Bezina for 10th on the franchise's career games played list and one power-play goal short of surpassing Daniel Briere and Jean-Guy Trudel for the most in Falcons history.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Falcons strong play on special teams has fueled the team's current six-game winning streak and 8-1-0-0 record in the month of November. Over the last six games, Springfield is 11-for-43 (25.6 percent) on the power play and 27-for-29 (93.1 percent) on the penalty kill. The team was an AHL-worst 4-for-50 (8.0 percent) on the man advantage before the six-game stretch. The Falcons penalty kill has been strong all season, but has been near perfect in the month of November. In nine November games, the team is 33-for-35 (94.3 percent) on the PK, boosting its season mark to an AHL-leading 65-for-72 (90.3 percent).

LEAGUE-LEADING POINTS PERCENTAGE

At 13-3-0-1, the Falcons have earned 27 of a possible 34 points this season. The .794 points percentage is the best in the American Hockey League. Three AHL teams have more points than Springfield - Abbotsford (35), Manchester (30) and Grand Rapids (28) - but each team has played more games than the Falcons. Springfield has played 17 games, while Abbotsford has played 23, Manchester 20 and Grand Rapids 19.

STINGTY DEFENSE AND GOALTENDING

So far this season, the Falcons have allowed the fewest goals (37) in the American Hockey League as well as the fewest goals per game (2.18). Springfield's netminding duo has been outstanding, sporting a combined 2.07 goals against average and .923 save percentage. Mike McKenna leads the AHL with his 1.66 GAA and ranks tied for second with a .935 save percentage. Jeremy Smith has won eight of his first 10 starts this season, posting a 2.37 GAA and a .915 save percentage.

FIRST GOAL

The Falcons have scored the first of the game nine times in 17 games so far this season, including each of the team's three games last week. In those nine games, Springfield is 9-0-0-0. The Falcons are the only team in the AHL that have not lost a game in regulation, overtime or a shootout when scoring the first goal.

BLACK FRIDAY OFFER

Start your holiday shopping at the Falcons Nest Pro Shop! The Springfield Falcons are offering a special deal to shoppers on Black Friday. All those who spend $50 or more at the Falcons Nest Pro Shop - located inside the team's front office at 45 Falcons Way - Friday, November 29 will receive two free ticket vouchers (a $40 value) to the Falcons game Saturday, December 28 versus the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The offer is not available online, so make sure to stop by the Pro Shop between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to cash in on this great offer!

TOYS FOR TOTS TOY DRIVE

The Springfield Falcons are holding a toy drive at the team's home game Saturday, December 7 to benefit Toys for Tots. All fans who donate a new toy will receive a free ticket voucher to an upcoming Falcons home game. The offer is limited to one voucher per donor.

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.

• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...

American Hockey League Stories from November 25, 2013


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.

Other Recent Springfield Falcons Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central