Strong First Period Fuels Falcons Fourth Straight Win
January 7, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
Springfield, Mass. - Three first-period goals lifted the Springfield Falcons (25-5-1-3) over the Albany Devils by the final score of 3-2 Tuesday night at the Times Union Center, matching a franchise-best eight-game road point streak.
In his return to the Springfield lineup after missing the team's last six games, forward Michael Chaput scored twice in the contest. The 6-foot-2, 194-pound centerman put the Falcons ahead 1-0 at 2:56 of the opening frame, beating Albany netminder Keith Kinkaid with a toe drag in front of the net to free up the score on the doorstep. Chaput then scored a shorthanded goal, his second of the game, at the 12:53 mark, as he tipped in a Tim Miller centering feed to put Springfield ahead 2-1.
Miller finished with one assist in the contest, extending his point streak to six games. He has recorded seven assists over that span, which dates back to December 28.
Darryl Boyce extended the Falcons lead to 3-1 with 4:16 remaining in the first period, deflecting a Spencer Machacek drive from the high slot past Kinkaid. Boyce's seventh tally of the season served as the eventual game-winning goal, his third of the season and second straight versus Albany. The Summerside, Prince Edward Island native also notched the game-winner in overtime of the team's 4-3 victory over the Devils Friday, January 3.
Mattias Tedenby scored both Albany goals, his fourth and fifth in only four games this season.
Mike McKenna earned his eighth win of the season, making 25 saves on 27 shots between the posts for Springfield. The veteran goaltender is now 8-2-2 with a 1.46 goals-against average and .943 save percentage this season.
Kinkaid stopped 18 of 21 shots, falling to 13-6-1 overall and 1-3-0 versus the Falcons this season.
With the victory, Springfield matched a franchise record, earning at least a point in eight consecutive road games. The mark was originally set during the 1995-96 season and equaled in 2005, from the end of the 2004-05 season and into the beginning of the 2005-06 campaign.
34 games into the season, the Falcons lead the American Hockey League with 54 points, 25 wins and a .794 points percentage. Springfield is currently on pace to better the best record in the 78-year history of the AHL - a .775 points percentage earned by the 1992-93 Binghamton Rangers.
The Falcons and Devils will face off again Friday, January 10 at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield at 7:00 p.m.
Fans are invited to the MassMutual Center in 2013-14 to watch the reigning Northeast Division-champion Falcons compete in their 20th anniversary season. Adult season-ticket packages start as low as $13 per game. To reserve your seats for the 2013-14 season, call (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visit the team office inside the MassMutual Center from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Support the Falcons throughout the 2013-14 season by wearing red, white and blue at all the home games.
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