Sports stats



Falcons' Winning Streak Doused By Devils

April 2, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, Mass. - The Springfield Falcons (39-19-5-4) had their five-game winning streak halted by the Albany Devils (29-26-1-11), undergoing a 3-1 loss on Tuesday night at the MassMutual Center for their first defeat in over two weeks.

Click herefor the box score. Click here for the highlights and postgame interviews.

The Falcons were bidding to become the first AHL team to clinch a spot in the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs. Springfield can earn a postseason berth and win the F.G. (Teddy) Oke Trophy as the Northeast Division champion by beating Connecticut in regulation this Friday at the XL Center.

The loss was Springfield's first since Mar. 17.

Albany netminder Keith Kinkaid made a sprawling kick save on a rebound chance by Cody Goloubef just past the halfway point of the first period, keeping the Falcons off the board and leaving the door open for his club to strike first.

The Devils did just that, netting a pair of tallies within 31 seconds of each other.

With Albany working on a power play, Springfield goaltender Allen York made a pad stop on a blast by Jon Merrill from the blue line. Reid Boucher swatted at the carom in the slot and slid the puck past York at 15:50, as the Devils went up, 1-0.

Moments later, Harri Pesonen corralled an up-ice feed from Mattias Tedenby, escaped on a breakaway, and wristed a puck through York's pads, extending Albany's lead to 2-0 at 16:21.

During a scoreless second period, the clubs traded good scoring chances, as Jacob Josefson fanned on an open look in the right circle while Jake Hansen's ensuing bid at the other end of the ice was foiled by Kinkaid.

The Falcons chiseled into the deficit early in the third by converting on a five-on-three power play. Nick Drazenovic centered the puck to Jonathan Audy-Marchessault, whose first chance was stopped by Kinkaid. Audy-Marchessault flicked the follow-up attempt off of Kinkaid's glove, and Ryan Craig deposited the rebound in the crease just 49 seconds into the stanza, making it 2-1. The goal was Craig's 29th on the power play as a Falcon, tying Danny Briere and Jean-Guy Trudel for the most in team history.

The Devils reclaimed the game's momentum upon the expiration of Springfield's power play, as Josefson took a pass from Merrill, broke into the Falcons' zone on a three-on-one rush, and snapped a wrister over York's stick and in at 2:33. The counter strike upped Albany's advantage back to two goals, 3-1.

The Falcons pelted Kinkaid with 14 shots in the third period, but could draw no closer, as Albany came away with the 3-1 victory.

York (9-6-0) allowed three goals on 19 shots. Kinkaid (19-16-5) set aside 35 of the Falcons' 36 tries.

Springfield's magic number to clinch a playoff spot is two points. In addition to being able to wrap up a postseason berth with a regulation win on Friday in Connecticut, the Falcons would also lock in a playoff spot Friday if Albany loses in regulation to Providence and Manchester suffers any form of a defeat to Portland.

The Falcons' game in Connecticut on Friday begins a four-game road stretch. Springfield then heads to Worcester on Saturday and Portland on Sunday. After playing at Adirondack on Friday, Apr. 12, the Faclons return home for Fan Appreciation Weekend, hosting Providence on Saturday, Apr. 13, and Connecticut on Sunday, Apr. 14. For full details of Fan Appreciation Weekend, click here .

Single-game tickets to see the Falcons in 2012-2013 can be purchased at the MassMutual Center Box Office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. through game time on Saturday home dates, and starting four hours prior to Sunday home contests. Fans can also purchase tickets by logging onto Ticketmaster.com. For information about discounted group packages to Falcons home games, call (413) 739-GOAL (4625).

Notes:

In addition to tying Briere and Trudel for the most power-play tallies in franchise history, Craig moved into sole possession of sixth place with his 58th goal as a Falcon. He equaled Audy-Marchessault for the team lead this season with 19 goals...Audy-Marchessault had an assist on Craig's tally. He now has a team-best 60 points (19g-41a), putting him two shy of the AHL's scoring lead...Drazenovic's assist marked his league-best 28th power-play point (9g-19a)...Springfield dropped to 20 games above .500. The Falcons were trying to reach the 22-games over .500 mark for the first time in franchise history...Springfield's five-game winning streak was its second longest of the season...The loss was only Springfield's fourth at home in the last 21 games, dating back to Dec. 30

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

American Hockey League Stories from April 2, 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