FALCONS GAME PREVIEW: SPRINGFIELD AT CONNECTICUT, GAME #9

Springfield Falcons (5-1-0-2) at Connecticut Whale (4-3-1-0)
Sunday, November 4, 2012
7:00 p.m.
XL Center

RADIO: WHYN NewsTalk 560/WHYN.com
WEBCAST: AHLLive.com

Falcons Game Notes (PDF)

IN JUST A FEW HOURS...

Springfield renews its rivalry with division-foe Connecticut, as the Falcons travel south on I-91 to Hartford to meet the Whale for the first of 12 times in 2012-2013 at the XL Center at 7:00 p.m. The Falcons enter today's action tied for first place in the Eastern Conference and have taken points in seven of their first eight games for the second time in franchise history. Springfield began the weekend on Friday night, dropping a shootout to the Hershey Bears, 3-2. After losing their first four games in 2012-2013, the Whale have captured two points in each of their last four outings.

NOTABLE RETURNS

The Falcons bring two Whale players back to their 2011-2012 home tonight. Jonathan Audy-Marchessault led Connecticut last season with 64 points and 40 assists, and currently paces the Falcons with eight points and five assists. The Quebec City native collected 19 points (6g-13a) in 12 games with Connecticut against Springfield during his rookie campaign. Tim Erixon tied for the Connecticut blue-line lead with 33 points and topped all Whale defensemen with 30 assists last year.

PENALTY KILL EXCELS

Although having to kill off at least six short-handed situations in six of their first eight games, Springfield has responded this season by allowing just six power-play goals on 52 opposition chances. The Falcons were six-for-six on the penalty kill on Friday night against Hershey, and are 88.5% while short handed this season, good for fifth in the AHL.

RETURNING HOME

The Falcons are back at home next weekend to host Connecticut on Friday, Nov. 9 on Hometown Heroes Night presented by MGM Springfield at the MassMutual Center at 7:00 p.m. Springfield closes out the week by welcoming the reigning Calder Cup champion Norfolk Admirals to The Nest on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 5:00 p.m. 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.