FALCONS GAME PREVIEW: SPRINGFIELD VS. CONNECTICUT, GAME #10
Springfield Falcons (6-1-0-2) vs. Connecticut Whale (4-4-1-0)
Friday, November 9, 2012
7:00 p.m.
MassMutual Center
TICKETS: Ticketmaster.com/MassMutual Center Box Office
RADIO: WHYN NewsTalk 560/WHYN.com/Sirius 207/XM 92
WEBCAST: AHLLive.com
Falcons Game Notes (PDF)
IN JUST A FEW HOURS...
The Springfield Falcons welcome the Connecticut Whale to the MassMutual Center on "Hometown Heroes Night" presented by MGM Springfield, with the opening face-off scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The Falcons routed the Whale on the road on Sunday, defeating Connecticut 10-2 at the XL Center in the first of 12 games between the two clubs in 2012-2013. The 10 goals scored by the Falcons tied for the second most by the club in a game in franchise history, as Springfield reached double digits for the first time since Dec. 30, 1999 (14-2 vs. Providence). The Falcons enter tonight's game tied for first place in the Eastern Conference with the Syracuse Crunch at 14 points. Springfield's .778 standings points percentage is even with Syracuse and the Abbotsford Heat for the best in the AHL.
This evening's Hometown Heroes Night will commence with a special opening video honoring local servicemen and women, police officers, firefighters, and emergency personnel who give their lives to helping others. More than 400 tickets to the game have been donated to a "Seats for Soldiers" program by local businesses and individuals, and have been distributed to local military bases. The Falcons will wear specialty jerseys with a patriotic theme that will be unveiled when the club takes the ice. Throughout the evening, select game-worn jerseys from Hometown Heroes Night will be available within the concourse through a silent auction. Additionally, the first 2,000 fans to enter The Nest on Friday will receive patriotic thundersticks. Fire trucks and Humvees will be stationed outside of the MassMutual Center as part of the ceremonies.
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).
STRONG DEFENSE, GOALTENDING
The Falcons have allowed two goals or fewer in regulation and overtime in eight of their nine games this season, and enter Friday's action second in the league with a 1.89 team goals-against average. Curtis McElhinney is tied for the AHL lead with six wins and two shutouts, and is fifth with a .945 save percentage and a 1.61 goals-against average.
FALCONS TAKE TO SATELLITE RADIO
In addition to being heard on WHYN NewsTalk 560 AM, WHYN.com, and on the iHeartRadio App, "Voice of the Falcons" Mike Kelly's broadcast is available tonight on NHL Network Radio on Sirius 207, XM 92.
ENDING THE HOME STRETCH
The Falcons host the Norfolk Admirals on Sunday at 5:00 p.m., closing out Springfield's stretch of nine of 11 home games to begin 2012-2013. Springfield has captured points in six of its first seven games on home ice (4-1-0-2).
