FALCONS ADD TWO PLAYERS TODAY
December 9, 2011 – The Springfield Falcons have a rare Friday night with no game, but there were still a pair of transactions to announce. Cody Bass was assigned to the Falcons by the Blue Jackets. The Falcons also added defenseman Darcy Campbell from the ECHL's Chicago Express.
The team will look to build a winning streak this weekend as they take on the Manchester Monarchs on Saturday night and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Sunday afternoon at the MassMutual Center.
The Falcons are coming off a 2-1 victory last Sunday against the Portland Pirates. Prior to the victory against Portland, Springfield had dropped five straight games - four of which were decided by one goal. Falcons’ forward Matt Calvert says it’s great to be back on the win column.
“Were a real good hockey team, it’s just a matter of learning how to win,” said Calvert.
Calvert has spent portions of this season with the Falcons’ affiliate Columbus Blue Jackets, but has called Springfield home since November 11. The Brandon, Manitoba native has been a Falcon since last year, tallying 25 points for Springfield in the 2010-2011 campaign.
“I’m happy to come down here, there are a lot of great guys here and it’s a really close team,” said Calvert.
As the team looks to move up the competitive division standings, Calvert is optimistic about the rest of the season. “If we really learn how to keep our leads I think we will be a real dangerous team,” said Calvert. “I know if we start to get things going here we’re going to be really successful.”
In the thick of the Northeast Division standings are the Bridgeport Sound Tigers who are just three points ahead of the 11-11-1 Falcons. The Falcons and Sound Tigers have become a season rival, splitting their previous two heated meetings 1-1. Springfield and Bridgeport drop the puck this Sunday afternoon at 3 pm.
The Falcons begin the weekend with a 7 pm game against the Manchester Monarchs on Saturday. Manchester has fallen twice to Springfield in their three matchups this season.
Dane Byers rounded out last weekend with three goals and looks to continue his streak this weekend. Cam Atkinson remains the team’s leading goal scorer with 10, and Martin St. Pierre leads the team in points with 25. Manny Legace backs the birds with a .913 save percentage in 11 games played.
With only a few games remaining before Christmas break, Calvert says it’s a great opportunity to set the tone for the rest of the season.
“Come December you want to be going full gear. Were a .500 hockey team, and if we can get a few wins going into Christmas I think we can really move up in the standings,” said Calvert. “The break is a great time to refresh your mind, get away from hockey for a few days and come back ready to go.”
