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Falcons Weekly Notes

March 10, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 10, 2014

FALCONS WEEKLY NOTES: MARCH 10

Springfield, Mass. - The Springfield Falcons (36-18-1-5) earned four of a possible six points last week, falling to the Wolf Pack in Hartford Friday night before rounding out the road trip with wins over the Adirondack Phantoms and the Portland Pirates Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Through 60 games, the Falcons currently rank second in the Eastern Conference in wins (36), point total (78) and points percentage (.650), and remain atop the Northeast Division, leading the second-place Albany Devils by eight points.

The Falcons return to Springfield for two homes at the MassMutual Center this weekend - Friday, March 14 versus the Albany Devils and Saturday, March 15 versus the Providence Bruins. Both games begin at 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 2, Hartford 6

Friday, March 7

XL Center

The Falcons were defeated Friday in Hartford as the Wolf Pack scored four unanswered goals over the final two periods to win by the final score of 6-2. Jesper Fast was credited with the game-winning goal, beating Springfield netminder Jeremy Smith at the 7:35 mark of the middle frame. Ryan Craig scored twice in the first period for the Falcons, his 10th and 11th goals of the season.

Springfield 5, Adirondack 3

Saturday, March 8

Glens Falls Civic Center

Springfield bounced back Saturday night with a convincing 5-3 victory over the Adirondack Phantoms. Ryan Craig scored his third goal in two nights to get the Falcons on the board at 13:06 of the first period, while Cody Bass added two goals and an assist to lift the Falcons to victory. Bass finished the night with the game-winning goal and a +3 rating.

Springfield 9, Portland 3

Sunday, March 9

Androscoggin Bank Colisee

The Falcons exploded for nine goals against the Portland Pirates Sunday afternoon at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine, scoring four goals in the first period, three in the second and two in the third. Jack Skille registered a four-point night, notching two goals in a 26-second span in the third period and adding two assists earlier in the contest. In the second period, Andrew Joudrey notched his fifth shorthanded goal as a member of the Falcons, breaking a six-way tie for the most and supplanting the Bedford, Nova Scotia native atop the franchise's all-time list. The Falcons went 3-for-3 on the power play, while holding the Pirates scoreless on five attempts with the man advantage.

WEEK AHEAD

Friday, March 14 - Springfield vs. Albany, MassMutual Center, 7:00 p.m.

Exit Sampling by Carando Classic Italian

Saturday, March 15 - Springfield vs. Providence, MassMutual Center, 7:00 p.m.

Irish Night, presented by Center for Diagnostic Imaging

OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION

The Falcons erupted for nine goals against the Portland Pirates Sunday afternoon. Before Sunday's contest, the team had not scored more than six goals in a game and only accomplished that twice this season - December 28 versus the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and February 8 at the Syracuse Crunch. Six players produced with multi-point efforts, including Jack Skille who registered four points (two goals, two assists) and a +2 rating. Sean Collins (goals, two assists), Matt Taormina (three assists) and Denny Urban (three assists) all netted three-point games, while Michael Chaput and Dana Tyrell each added a goal and an assist. The nine-goal outburst was the highest single-game total by the Falcons since the team defeated the Connecticut Whale by the final score of 10-2 November 4, 2012.

CRAIG'S POINT STREAK

Falcons captain Ryan Craig is currently riding a five-game point streak, totaling six points (four goals, two assists) over that span. The team is 3-1-0-1 over the stretch, and Craig now has 22 points (12 goals, 10 assists) in 40 games this season. The Abbotsford, British Columbia native ranks eighth in points (132), fifth in goals (71), eighth in games played (223), tied for second in game-winning goals (11) and first in power-play goals (32).

ATOP THE NORTHEAST DIVISION

At 36-18-1-5, the Falcons lead the Northeast Division by eight points over the second-place Albany Devils. Springfield's .650 points percentage, 36 wins and 78 points are all good for second-best in the American Hockey League's Eastern Conference.

SKILLE ON FIRE

First-year Falcon Jack Skille has been red hot of late. The Madison, Wisconsin native has notched 12 points (seven goals, five assists) over his last eight games, including a four-point eruption versus the Pirates Sunday that tied a Falcons individual season high (Tim Erixon, October 18, 2013 at Providence). Skille has registered 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in 19 games with Springfield this season.

NEW ADDITIONS

Dana Tyrell and Matt Taormina have made an immediate impact in their first week with the Springfield Falcons after being acquired by the Columbus Blue Jackets in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning Wednesday afternoon. Tyrell recorded an assist in his first game with the team Friday at Hartford and added his first goal and another assist in the team's 9-3 rout of Portland Sunday afternoon. Taormina went scoreless in his first two contests with the Falcons but chipped in with three helpers from the blue line Sunday. Both players have totaled three points in their first three games with the Falcons, and the team is 2-1-0-0 since their acquisition.

LABATT BLUE AHL BUBBLE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

There is one more Labbat Blue AHL Bubble Hockey Tournament of Champions date left on the schedule before the Team Final at the Falcons home game versus the Manchester Monarchs Saturday, March 22 at 7:00 p.m. The last chance to qualify for the final round is Saturday, March 15 at J.T.'s Sports Pub in downtown Springfield, beginning at 9:30 p.m.

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).

IRISH NIGHT T-SHIRTS

In honor of Irish Night at the Falcons home game Saturday, March 15 versus the Providence Bruins, the team will have Irish t-shirts available at the merchandise stand for $20 each. The shirts will also be available for purchase at the team's online store later this week.

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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