FALCONS GAME PREVIEW: SPRINGFIELD VS. NORFOLK, GAME #30
Springfield Falcons (16-8-2-3) vs. Norfolk Admirals (14-14-1-0)
Sunday, December 30, 2012
5:00 p.m.
MassMutual Center
TICKETS: (413) 739-GOAL/MassMutual Center Box Office/Ticketmaster.com
RADIO: WHYN NewsTalk 560 AM/WHYN.com/Sirius 207/XM 92 (presented by FalconsWireless.com)
WEBCAST: AHLLive.com
Falcons Game Notes (PDF)
IN JUST A FEW HOURS...
The Springfield Falcons close out the 2012 calendar year when they welcome the Norfolk Admirals to the MassMutual Center at 5:00 p.m. The Falcons suffered a 4-2 defeat at the hands of the Connecticut Whale on Saturday night in Springfield. Former Falcon Chad Kolarik scored twice for the Whale. Ryan Craig and Ryan Russell contributed with third-period goals for Springfield. With the loss, the Falcons lead in the Northeast Division dwindled to two points, as Bridgeport defeated Manchester on Saturday night. Springfield will try to complete the season sweep of Norfolk today, as the Falcons have taken each of the first three meetings this year.
The Falcons will hold a white sock drive today to benefit Friends of the Homeless, the largest adult emergency shelter in Western Mass. Fans are asked to bring new and packaged white socks to this event to donate to the shelter's male guests. Friends of the Homeless will accept the donations at a table in the concourse behind section 1 during the game. Started in 1988, Friends of the Homeless provides shelter for approximately 1,200 non-violent people annually and works to find permanent housing solutions for its guests. For more information visit FOHSpringfield.org.
Immediately following the contest, the Falcons will hold a free postgame skate on the MassMutual Center ice. Fans are encouraged to register to participate during the game at the F.L. Roberts Golden Nozzle Fan Relations Center and must bring their own skates.
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).
HOPING FOR A HOME WIN
Exactly seven weeks ago today, the Falcons shut out the Admirals at the MassMutual Center, 5-0, as Springfield improved to 6-1-0-2 on home ice at the time. Since that game on Nov. 11, however, the Falcons have been unable to register a victory at The Nest, going 0-4-1-1 over the last six contests to drop to 6-5-1-3 in Springfield this season. The longest winless streak at home in Falcons history is 10 games, set from Nov. 25 to Dec. 29, 2009 (0-5-4-1).
POWER-PLAY DROUGHT SNAPPED
The Falcons generated their first power-play goal in four games on Saturday when Ryan Craig scored to get Springfield on the board in the third period. The Falcons had failed on 24-straight man-advantage opportunities dating back to Dec. 16 prior to Craig's goal. Springfield had been 1/35 on the man advantage since Dec. 14.
BATTLING LATE
Springfield has a 32-19 goals advantage in the third period, including a 4-1 edge this week.
SUNDAY SUCCESS
The Falcons are 6-1-0-0 in Sunday contests this season.
ANOTHER YEAR IN THE BOOKS
Springfield is 38-26-4-5 in the 2012 calendar year.
