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Falcons Weekly Notes

April 7, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, Mass. - The Springfield Falcons (44-21-1-5) earned four of six possible points last week, defeating the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Tuesday and splitting a weekend series with the St. John's IceCaps. The Falcons clinched a playoff berth with Friday's win and sealed their second consecutive division championship Sunday with the Albany Devils' 4-3 loss to the Adirondack Phantoms.

Through 71 games, the Falcons currently rank second in the Eastern Conference in wins (44), point total (94) and points percentage (.662), just one win, two points and .019 behind the first-place Manchester Monarchs with one game in hand.

The Falcons host two home games this weekend - Friday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m. versus the Portland Pirates and Saturday, April 12 at 7:00 p.m. versus the Hershey Bears - before visiting the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Sunday, April 13 at 3:00 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 3, Bridgeport 1

Tuesday, April 1

Webster Bank Arena

The Falcons defeated the Bridgeport Sound Tigers by the final score of 3-1 at Webster Bank Arena. Rookie goaltender Anton Forsberg earned his first pro victory in North America, making 25 saves on 26 shots. Marko Dano, in only his third game with the Falcons, scored his first pro goal in North America on a wrist shot from the high slot. Jake Hansen and Cody Bass also found the back of the net for Springfield.

Springfield 8, St. John's 7 (OT)

Friday, April 4

Mile One Centre

In a wild, high-scoring affair, the Falcons defeated the St. John's IceCaps by the final score of 8-7 in overtime Friday night, clinching the team's second consecutive playoff berth. Sean Collins netted the game-winning goal 2:50 into the extra frame, while forward Jack Skille registered five points and four goals, including an extra-attacker score that tied the game at 7-7 with 17 seconds left in regulation. Skille became only the fourth player in franchise history to score four goals in a single regular-season game, joining the company of Daniel Briere, Grant Potulny and Chad Wiseman.

Springfield 1, St. John's 3

Saturday, April 5

Mile One Centre

Springfield's five-game win streak was snapped Saturday in St. John's, as the IceCaps defeated the Falcons, 3-1. John Albert scored twice to lead St. John's, while Patrick McNeill scored the lone Springfield tally with a slap shot from the right-wing point at 15:27 of the third period.

WEEK AHEAD

Friday, April 11 - Springfield vs. Portland, MassMutual Center, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 12 - Springfield vs. Hershey, MassMutual Center, 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 13 - Springfield at Bridgeport, Webster Bank Arena, 3:00 p.m.

NORTHEAST DIVISION CHAMPS

With the Albany Devils' 4-3 loss to the Adirondack Phantoms Sunday afternoon, the Falcons clinched the Northeast Division championship for the second consecutive season. Springfield is the first team in the Eastern Conference to do so, solidifying a top-three seed in the postseason and home-ice advantage in the first round. It is the fourth division championship in the team's 20-year history and the first time the club has won two division titles consecutively.

SKILLE RECALLED BY COLUMBUS

Forward Jack Skille was recalled by the Columbus Blue Jackets, Springfield's NHL affiliate, Monday morning. The former first-round selection of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2005 NHL Draft has appeared in 12 games for Columbus this season, totaling four goals, four penalty minutes and a +2 rating. In 190 career NHL games, the Madison, Wisconsin native has amassed 53 points (24 goals, 29 assists) and 77 penalty minutes between Columbus, Chicago and the Florida Panthers. In 22 games with the Falcons this season, Skille has registered 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists), nine penalty minutes and a +3 rating.

T.J. TYNAN SIGNED TO ATO

T.J. Tynan, a third-round (66th overall) selection of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2011 NHL Draft, signed an amateur tryout agreement (ATO) with the Springfield Falcons Monday morning. Tynan recently finished a four-year career at the University of Notre Dame, where he led the team in scoring three times. Over 164 games, the 5-foot-8, 165-pound centerman totaled 161 points (54 goals, 107 assists) and 132 penalty minutes. Tynan, who led Notre Dame to CCHA Conference title and was named tournament MVP, signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Blue Jackets Tuesday, April 1.

RECORD-SETTING PACE

The Falcons are on pace to break franchise records for most wins (45), most points (100) and best points percentage (.651) in a single season. The record for most points in a season was accomplished by the 1995-96 Falcons team that played a total of 80 regular-season games. The most points in a 76-game regular season was done by the 2012-13 Falcons, recording 99 points. The most wins in a single season in the team's 20-year history is 45, done in 1997-08 and 2012-13. This year's club is slated to record 100 points, 47 wins and a .662 points percentage.

ROAD WINS

The Falcons set a new franchise record for the most consecutive road wins, winning seven straight tilts away from the MassMutual Center, spanning from March 8 to April 4. Previously, the Falcons had never won more than five straight road games, done from November 19 to December 7, 2005. The Falcons matched another franchise record with an eight-game road point streak earlier this season, spanning from December 8, 2013 to January 7, 2014. The team had not accomplished that feat since the 2004-05 campaign. Springfield is 23-9-1-2 away from the MassMutual Center this season.

FALCONS NEST PRO SHOP CLEARANCE SALE

The Falcons Nest Pro Shop is currently featuring a clearance sale, offering discounts on a number of merchandise and novelty items. To see what is on sale, click here.

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.



American Hockey League Stories from April 7, 2014


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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