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Falcons Weekly Notes

February 17, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, Mass. - The Springfield Falcons (32-15-1-4) salvaged the weekend with a convincing win over the Worcester Sharks Sunday. The team earned two of a possible six points last week, winning one of three games. Springfield fell to the Hartford Wolf Pack Friday night and to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Saturday night before defeating Worcester by a 4-1 count.

Through 52 games, the Falcons currently rank second in the American Hockey League in wins (32), point total (69) and points percentage (.663). Springfield trails the Manchester Monarchs by six points for the most in the league but has played three fewer games than its nearby opponent. The Falcons 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. This year's team, currently leading the division by nine points over the second-place Albany Devils, is on pace for 47 wins and 101 points.

The Falcons visit the Manchester Monarchs Friday, February 21 at 7:00 p.m. before hosting back-to-back home games - Saturday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m. versus the Hartford Wolf Pack and Sunday, February 23 at 3:00 p.m. versus the Norfolk Admirals.

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 2, Hartford 5

Friday, February 14

MassMutual Center

The Falcons were defeated by the Wolf Pack Friday night, as J.T. Miller had four points (two goals, two assists) to lead Hartford. The Falcons outshot the Wolf Pack, 32-23, and scored two power-play goals but to no avail. Michael Chaput scored a goal and assisted on the team's only other tally, a Jean-Francois Jacques score 11:18 into the first period.

Springfield 2, Bridgeport 5

Saturday, February 15

MassMutual Center

Bridgeport defeated the Falcons, 5-2, Saturday night, outshooting Springfield, 30-17, and notching two power-play goals on five opportunities with the man advantage. For the second consecutive night, the Falcons opened the scoring with a power-play goal - Tim Erixon at 3:31 of the first period - but the team allowed three unanswered scores for the Sound Tigers before the end of the opening frame. Andrew Joudrey's redirection in front made it a 3-2 game with 16:13 to play in the second period, but Bridgeport scored twice more to seal the victory.

Springfield 4, Worcester 1

Sunday, February 16

MassMutual Center

Michael Chaput registered his first professional hat trick to lead the Falcons to a 4-1 victory over the Sharks Sunday afternoon. For Chaput, the goals were his 13th, 14th and 15th of the season. The Montreal, Quebec native's three-goal performance was the team's first in the regular season since Jonathan Marchessault accomplished the feat January 15, 2013 at the Manchester Monarchs. It was also the first time a Falcon has recorded a hat trick at home during the regular season since Kyle Wilson did it February 19, 2011 versus Worcester. Marchessault added a break-away goal, and Mike McKenna stopped 29 of 30 shots to stunt the team's three-game losing streak.

WEEK AHEAD

Friday, February 21 - Springfield at Manchester, Verizon Wireless Arena, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 22 - Springfield vs. Hartford, MassMutual Center, 7:00 p.m.

Big Y Box Office Discount (until 5:00 p.m. day of game)

Sunday, February 23 - Springfield vs. Norfolk, MassMutual Center, 3:00 p.m.

Appearance and Autograph Session with Stanley Cup champion Gregory Campbell

(presented by Dunkin' Donuts)

CHAPUT'S HAT TRICK

Falcons forward Michael Chaput recorded his first professional hat trick in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Worcester Sharks. Chaput now leads the club with 15 goals and has posted 29 points in 33 AHL games this season. The 6-foot-2, 194-pound centerman's hat trick was the team's first since Jonathan Marchessault accomplished the feat January 15, 2013 at the Manchester Monarchs. It was also the first time a Falcon has recorded a hat trick at home during the regular season since Kyle Wilson did it February 19, 2011 versus Worcester. Over his current three-game point streak, Chaput has registered six points (four goals, two assists).

NEW FACES

After a scoring change from last weekend's 6-5 overtime victory at Syracuse, Paul Thompson got credit for his first goal in a Falcons uniform. Thompson, who totaled 64 points (35 goals, 29 assists) in 170 career AHL games before joining the Falcons, redirected a Dalton Prout point shot past Crunch netminder Allen York for the game's first score. In six games so far with Springfield, the Derry, new Hampshire native has amassed three points (one goal, two assists), 18 penalty minutes and a +1 rating.

Carter Camper, Springfield's other new addition, has yet to play for the Falcons after being acquired in a trade for defenseman Blake Parlett. Camper registered 31 points (eight goals, 23 assists) in 41 games with the Providence Bruins this year.

ATOP THE NORTHEAST DIVISION

At 32-15-1-4, the Falcons lead the Northeast Division by nine points over the second-place Albany Devils. Springfield's .663 points percentage has the team on pace to better the franchise's most successful regular season, which came in 2012-13 with 45 wins and a .651 points percentage. This year's club is slated to win 47 games.

McKENNA AMONG THE AHL LEADERS

Mike McKenna ranks second among all American Hockey League goaltenders in goals-against average (2.03) and save percentage (.929). In 22 appearances (20 starts) this season, the St. Louis native has posted a 14-6-0 record with three shutouts. McKenna is tied or the AHL lead with four shootout wins.

2014 AHL ALL-STAR CLASSIC

Defensemen Cody Goloubef and Frederic St. Denis represented the Falcons at the 2014 AHL All-Star Classic last week in St. John's, Newfoundland. In the AHL All-Stars 7-2 victory over the Swedish Hockey League's Farjestad BK, Goloubef registered an assist and a +2 rating, and St. Denis posted a game-high +3 rating. It was Goloubef's first AHL All-Star appearance and St. Denis' second.

INTERACTIVE HOCKEY CLINIC AT TOWER SQUARE

While schools are on vacation this week, the Springfield Falcons will hold a free, interactive hockey clinic Wednesday, February 19 from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. in the second-floor meeting rooms of Tower Square, located at 1500 Main Street in Springfield. The event will include an interactive Hockey 101 and autograph session with Falcons players, as well as a raffle and face painting. Each child will also receive a coupon for a free Friendly's ice cream cone.

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).

PINK IN THE RINK

The Springfield Falcons will have Pink in the Rink at their home game Saturday, March 1 versus the Providence Bruins, presented by Noble Hospital. The team will wear specialty jerseys to raise money and awareness on behalf of breast cancer research. 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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