FALCONS DONATE TO OPEN PANTRY
December 19, 2011 - The Springfield Falcons, led by assistant captain #24 Andrew Joudrey, dropped off food to the local Springfield Open Pantry on Main Street on Monday afternoon. The donation was part of a food drive led by the Falcons players who donated items to the pantry's holiday meal program. Players and fans attending home games in December helped contribute to this special donation.
During the Falcons' first five home games in December before the holiday break, Springfield fans were encouraged to donate non-perishable food items at the team's community table behind section 31. Joudrey and defenseman Nick Holden helped lead the players in donating items for this program. The players want to thank all fans who donated at the home games and they wanted to make sure fans know their help was very much appreciated.
Candace Larger, program director for the Springfield Open Pantry, helped with Monday's presentation and accepted the donations. The Falcons thank Larger and the Springfield Open Pantry for all they do in helping the local community.
PRACTICE REPORT...........
Before the holiday food delivery, the Falcons practiced at the MassMutual Center on Monday as they get ready for the Worcester Sharks on Wednesday night at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA. This will be the team's final game before the league-wide holiday break, which begins on Thursday and will conclude on Monday.
The Falcons have moved into fourth place in the Northeast Division, two points behind third place Albany and only five points behind second place Adirondack. Springfield played in their longest shootout in franchise history on Saturday in Albany beating the Devils 2-1 in 11 rounds. Cam Atkinson, Maksim Mayorov, Ryan Garlock and Brett Lebda all scored in the extra session for the Falcons.
With his goal Saturday night, Cam Atkinson extended his scoring streak to five straight games and he has also moved into 5th in the AHL in rookie scoring. Atkinson has 14 goals and eight assists for 22 points in 26 games and he continues to lead the Falcons in goals. He has scored a goal in four of his last five contests.
Manny Legace has started the last six straight games for the Falcons posting a .940 save percentage stopping 157 of 167 shots on goal in that stretch. Legace has moved into 11th in the league with a 2.26 goals against average and for the season he has a .922 save percentage. Legace also stopped eight of 11 shooters in the shootout on Saturday night in Albany.
Martin St. Pierre is 10th in the league in scoring with six goals and 23 assists for 29 points in 26 games.
Nine of Springfield's last 10 games have been decided by one goal. To go one step further, 12 of Springfield's last 17 games have been one goal games.
