FALCONS GAME PREVIEW: SPRINGFIELD AT ALBANY, GAME #40
Springfield Falcons (24-9-3-3) at Albany Devils (15-13-1-8)
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
7:00 p.m.
Times Union Center
RADIO: (presented by FalconsWireless.com) WHYN NewsTalk 560 AM/WHYN.com
WEBCAST: AHLLive.com
Falcons Game Notes (PDF)
IN JUST A FEW HOURS...
The Springfield Falcons seek their third six-game winning streak in franchise history when they head to Albany to battle the Devils at 7 p.m. Springfield completed a perfect four-win week on Sunday with a 4-1 victory over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The Falcons won their first game against the Devils this season on Saturday at the MassMutual Center, prevailing in a shootout, 2-1. Springfield has not beaten Albany in regulation since Oct. 8, 2011, dating back seven games. The Falcons enter tonight's contest tied for first place in the Eastern Conference and for the best record in the AHL with the Binghamton Senators. Springfield can take sole possession of first place in the conference by earning a point tonight. The Falcons lead the Sound Tigers by 12 points for the Northeast Division's top spot.
Tonight's broadcast, presented by FalconsWireless.com, begins at 6:58 p.m. on WHYN 560 AM, WHYN.com, the iHeartRadio App, or AHLLive.com.
Springfield returns home on Friday to host the Worcester Sharks at 7:00 p.m. at the MassMutual Center. The first 1,000 fans into the building 12 and under will receive a youth specialty Falcons jersey, courtesy of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts. Fans in attendance on Friday will also have the opportunity to win a brand new, high-definition television courtesy of Manny's TV & Appliances as part of "Flat-Screen Friday."
The Falcons end their weekend in Connecticut on Saturday against the Whale at the XL Center.
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).
A LONG TIME COMING
Springfield had not won four-straight games in over six years and had not put together victories in five-consecutive contests in almost 15 years entering last weekend, but the Falcons achieved the two seemingly-unattainable goals in back-to-back outings on Saturday and Sunday. The Falcons’ last four-game winning streak occurred from Dec. 23 to 30, 2006. Springfield last posted victories in five-straight games during its franchise-record nine-game winning from Mar. 6 to 28, 1998.
FOUR OF A KIND
The Falcons’ four-win week was their first since they went 4-1-0-0 in five contests from Nov. 11 to 17, 2002.
RACKING UP THE POINTS
The Falcons have posted points in each of their last seven games (6-0-1-0), tying their 2012-2013 season high. The seven-game points streak is Springfield’s 10th of that length in franchise history. The record for the longest points streak in Falcons history is nine, set twice (Oct. 19 to Nov. 16, 1996, 7-0-2-0; Mar. 6 to 28, 1998; 9-0-0-0). Springfield searches for its fourth eight-game point streak in club history tonight.
FULL POWER
Springfield has scored power-play goals in each of the last 11 contests, striking twice more on the man advantage Sunday to extend its streak. The Falcons have climbed to fourth in the league on the power play at 21.2% after entering the first game of the streak on Dec. 29 ninth in the AHL at 18.1%. Springfield is clicking at 30.6% (15/49) on the man advantage during this stretch.
“JAM” STAYS HOT
Jonathan Audy-Marchessault is on a seven-game streak (7g-7a). Audy-Marchessault leads the Falcons with 44 points, putting him third in the league in that category.
“DRAZ” DAZZLES
Nick Drazenovic scored goals in all three games on the weekend and has points in five-consecutive contests (3g-8a).
GOLDEN HOLDEN
Nick Holden doubled his 2012-2013 goal production on Sunday with a pair of tallies. The two-goal game was the second of his career, and first since he scored twice with the Falcons on Feb. 27, 2011.
SUNDAY STRUT
Springfield improved to 9-1-0-0 in Sunday games this season with its win over Bridgeport, including 5-0-0-0 on the road. The Falcons are now 5-1-0-0 in the final game of a three-in-three stretch, with a 4-0-0-0 mark in away competition.
PLAYING AT BOTH ENDS
Springfield is third in the AHL in offense and second in defense, scoring 3.41 goals/game and allowing 2.41 goals/game. The Falcons’ +39 goals differential is the highest in the AHL.
