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Falcons Weekly Notes

January 28, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, Mass. - The Springfield Falcons (28-10-1-4) earned three of a possible eight points last week, defeating the Adirondack Phantoms 4-1 Monday night, and then proceeding to lose their next three games, two in regulation and one in a shootout. It is the third time this season Springfield has lost three games in a row. After the last occurrence, the Falcons won their next three contests.

The team maintains the best points percentage (.709) and second highest point total (61) in the American Hockey League, only two points behind the Manchester Monarchs with four games in hand on the Eastern Conference opponent. The Falcons are the only team in the AHL with a points percentage over .700 and remain on pace to set the best record in franchise history, previously held by the 2012-13 club that finished with 45 wins and a .651 points percentage to lead the Northeast Division.

Springfield looks to bounce back with two games this weekend, both on the road. The Falcons travel to Worcester to take on the Sharks Friday night and then continue their road trip at the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Saturday night. Springfield is 1-1-0-0 versus Worcester and 3-1-0-0 against Bridgeport this season.

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 4, Adirondack 1

Monday, January 20

MassMutual Center

The Falcons defeated the Phantoms Monday afternoon, scoring the game's first four goals all in the second period. Jean-Francois Jacques, Lukas Sedlak, Cody Goloubef and Michael Chaput all found the back of the net in the middle frame, while Mike McKenna finished the day with 30 saves on 31 shots to earn the victory between the posts. Sedlak's tally was the first game-winning goal of his pro career.

Springfield 2, Hartford 5

Friday, January 24

XL Center

Springfield's 5-2 loss to Hartford Friday night was the team's first to the Wolf Pack this season. The Falcons had won the previous six meetings to begin the 2013-14 campaign, four in regulation and two in a shootout. Jesper Fast got the scoring started early for Hartford, finding the back of the net just 7 seconds into the first period. After Danny Kristo gave the Wolf Pack a 2-0 lead, Michael Chaput and Tim Erixon scored for Springfield to even the score. Oscar Lindberg's goal at 18:55 of the first period regained the lead for the Wolf Pack, and the team held that lead for the remainder of the contest.

Springfield 1, Bridgeport 3

Saturday, January 25

MassMutual Center

Despite taking the first lead of the game behind Jack Skille's tally at 11:00 of the first period, the Falcons could not get the victory Saturday versus Bridgeport. The Sound Tigers scored three unanswered goals, including an empty-netter with 1:03 remaining in regulation, to defeat the Falcons for the first time this season. The loss was only Springfield's second in regulation this season in games when scoring the first goal.

Springfield 3, Portland 4 (SO)

Sunday, January 26

MassMutual Center

The Falcons lost their third consecutive game Sunday, as Portland outlasted the team in a shootout by the final score of 4-3. The Falcons held a 3-2 lead after 20 minutes behind goals from Sean Collins, Michael Chaput and Jack Skille, but allowed the equalizer midway through the second period and could not find the back of the net the rest of the game. Andy Miele's conversion in the bottom of the fifth round in the shootout gave Portland the 4-3 victory.

WEEK AHEAD

Friday, January 31 - Springfield at Worcester, DCU Center, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 1 - Springfield at Bridgeport, Webster Bank Arena, 7:00 p.m.

ATOP THE AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE

The Falcons occupy first place in the AHL's Northeast Division with a 28-10-1-4 record, having earned 61 of a possible 86 points. Springfield's .709 points percentage leads the entire American Hockey League and has the team on pace for the best record in the franchise's 20-year history. The 2012-13 Falcons posted 45 wins, 99 points and a .651 points percentage, while this year's club is on pace for 49 wins, 107 points and a .709 points percentage.

THREE-GAME SKID

Over the weekend, the Falcons lost three consecutive games for the third time this season. Over the three-game skid, the team scored only six goals (an average of two per game) and allowed 12 (an average of four per game), well worse than its season averages. Despite the poor weekend, Springfield is still outscoring its opponents 134-111 this season.

GOLOUBEF, ERIXON RECALLED BY COLUMBUS

The Falcons have two defensemen currently on recall with the Columbus Blue Jackets, the team's NHL affiliate. Cody Goloubef was recalled Saturday and played in the team's game versus Carolina Monday night. The Oakville Ontario native played a total of 11:59 and blocked a team-high three shots in a 3-2 loss. Tim Erixon was recalled Sunday night after the Falcons' shootout loss to Portland. Erixon has appeared in two games with the Blue Jackets, totaling one shot, two penalty minutes and a +2 rating.

POWER PLAY STRUGGLES AT HOME, SUCCESS ON THE ROAD

The Falcons have struggled on the power play at home of late. In its last seven home games, Springfield has gone only 2-for-24 (8.3 percent) with the man advantage. This season, the Falcons rank 27th in the American Hockey League, converting on only 15 of 110 power-play opportunities, a rate of only 13.6 percent. The team does rank tied for fifth in the AHL in power-play efficiency on the road, going 18-for-84 (21.4 percent) away from the MassMutual Center.

McKENNA LEADING THE AHL

Falcons netminder Mike McKenna leads all American Hockey League goaltender in goals-against average (1.68), save percentage (.939) and shootout wins (4). In 15 appearances (14 starts) this season, the St. Louis native has posted a 10-4-0 record with two shutouts, which came back-to-back November 23 versus Hartford and November 30 versus Portland.

JEROD MAYO APPEARANCE

New England linebacker Jerod Mayo will sign autographs at the Falcons home game February 7 versus the Syracuse Crunch, presented by Sherwin Williams. Mayo, who was named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2008, is a veteran 81 NFL games. For tickets to the game, visit the MassMutual Center box office or click here to purchase tickets online. For a discounted group rate, please contact a Falcons sales representative at (413) 739-GOAL (4625).

HOCKEY "˜N' HEELS

The Springfield Falcons are hosting its Inaugural Hockey "˜N' Heels event, presented by Health New England, Saturday, February 15 from 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., before the team takes on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at 7:00 p.m. The exclusive event for women will feature a fun and interactive Hockey 101, a vendor showcase and a speaker series with Falcons legend and Stanley Cup champion Manny Legace, Falcons Vice President Sarah Pompea, a current Falcons player and an American Hockey League official. An event ticket costs only $20 and includes a ticket to the Falcons game that night. For the flyer and order form, click here.

GREGORY CAMPBELL APPEARANCE

Stanley Cup champion Gregory Campbell will sign autographs at the Falcons home game February 23 versus the Norfolk Admirals, presented by Dunkin' Donuts. Campbell, who won the Stanley Cup with Boston in 2010-11, is a veteran of over 500 NHL games. For tickets to the game, visit the MassMutual Center box office or click here to purchase tickets online. For a discounted group rate, please contact a Falcons sales representative at (413) 739-GOAL (4625).

HEATHER O'REILLY APPEARANCE

Heather O'Reilly, a three-time Olympic Gold Medalist with the United States Women's National soccer team, will sign autographs at the Falcons game March 22 versus the Manchester Monarchs. In addition to her Olympic success, O'Reilly also won two NCAA National Championships at the University of North Carolina, a WPS championship with SKY Blue FC, and a Bronze (2007) and Silver Medal (2011) at the World Cup. For tickets to the game, visit the MassMutual Center box office or click here to purchase tickets online. For a discounted group rate, please contact a Falcons sales representative at (413) 739-GOAL (4625).

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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