McElhinney's Ninth Shutout Pads Falcons' Division Lead

March 20, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, Mass. - Goaltender Curtis McElhinney notched a record ninth shutout of the 2012-2013 season on Wednesday night at the MassMutual Center, backstopping the Springfield Falcons (35-18-5-4) to a 2-0 victory over the Manchester Monarchs (29-27-3-4) and helping the club increase its Northeast Division lead to 11 points.

McElhinney set a new standard for the most shutouts in a career by a Falcons goaltender of nine, breaking Manny Legace's previous record of eight. The 29-year-old's nine shutouts are also the most in a season by a goaltender in the 70-year history of AHL hockey in Springfield, breaking Marcel Paille's previous mark of eight, accomplished with the Indians in 1960-1961.

The Falcons are 11 points clear of the Connecticut Whale for the division's top spot with a game in hand. Springfield snapped its six-game losing streak, winning for the first time since McElhinney garnered his eighth shutout in a 2-0 victory over Worcester on Mar. 3.

Nick Holden, Andrew Joudrey, and Ryan Russell teamed up in the early going to fend off a near two-minute five-on-three Monarchs power play.

In just his second professional game, Thomas Larkin collected the winning tally. Following a draw in Manchester's end, Larkin wristed a puck from the top of the right circle past Manchester goaltender Martin Jones at 12:59 of the first, putting Springfield up, 1-0.

The Falcons capitalized on a turnover by Jones later in the frame to take a 2-0 lead. Jones controlled the puck behind the net off a dump in by Holden and tried to move it ahead, but instead gave it right to Joudrey, who easily tapped it in for the two-goal edge at 17:48.

Springfield dominated the second period, compiling a 16-6 shots advantage on Manchester, but could not extend its cushion largely because of Jones' netminding. At the other end, McElhinney made 15 saves through 40 minutes, his toughest coming near the midway point of the frame on an open chance in the right circle by Jordean Weal. McElhinney deflected the shot with his stick, and Springfield led 2-0 after two.

In the third, McElhinney (24-13-3) saw 10 more shots. He ended with 25 saves on the evening. Jones (19-21-4) stopped 29 of Springfield's 31 tries.

Springfield welcomes Worcester to the MassMutual Center on Friday, presented by Sargento. Fans attending Friday's game will have the opportunity to win a new HDTV, courtesy of Manny's TV & Appliances, as part of "Flat-Screen Friday."

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:

The AHL single-season record for shutouts is 13, set by Jason LaBarbera with Hartford in 2003-2004...McElhinney broke the Falcons single-season record for shutouts with his sixth on Dec. 22 in Hershey. He notched his ninth-career Springfield shutout in his 41st appearance. Legace posted the previous mark of eight in 153 games...The Falcons went 4-1-0-1 on the season against Manchester. Springfield's win on Wednesday was the only one by the home team in the season series...Springfield was perfect on each of its four penalty kills...Ryan Russell's point streak ended at three games (2g-1a)



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