Working hard for jobs and wins

As our Falcons approach April, they are working hard for jobs and wins. Our job as a coaching staff is to remain positive and keep emphasizing hard work and heart as we play for a win each time out.

Our guys kicked off their last road trip of the season in Hershey, PA. Perfect place to spend some time with the sweet smell of chocolate. Although, we lost 4-2, I saw positive signs in the way we competed against one of the top teams in the AHL. Hershey also had a sell-out building of more than 10,000 fans, so for us to go out and compete well against the defending Calder Cup Champions was a positive.

We spent the next morning in Hershey for practice and then off to Philadelphia. The Phantoms have improved greatly over the last month or so and have played a spoiler role with great pleasure. The game against Philadelphia was very exciting and once again, we competed hard. Once again, we had a chance to tie the score in the third period, but just fell short.

I would like to thank a couple of loyal fans who have followed us this season. Everett and Thelma Miller from Ludlow drive to each game and if the guys don't see them in the visiting building we have issues. I would like to personally thank them for their support. The are truly what Springfield Falcons fans are all about. Love for this great game of hockey and a special connection with our players. Springfield is very lucky to have fans like this.

A rare Sunday game due to that snowstorm v. Manchester rounded out the week. The first eight minutes of the contest, I don't know where we were, but it wasn't at the NEST. Boutin had an early exit and Kevin Beech, recently signed from the OHL's Erie Otters, stepped up to the plate and brought some momentum to the team. However, Manchester is a very strong team and despite some fight at the midway point of the game by our Falcons, we couldn't "seal the deal."

You will notice a couple of new additions to the roster as the college and junior teams complete their season. Dustin Collins (Northern Michigan), Justin Fletcher (St. Cloud State), Jacob Micflikier (UNH), and Beech have all been added to the roster. Most teams will have large rosters for the last couple of weeks of the season for evaluation purposes.

The week of March 26th, brings Lowell to the NEST on Wednesday, off to Providence on Friday, home v. Portland on Saturday, and off to Portland for a day game Sunday afternoon. Busy Birds still working to make impressions. The final week of March, also brings to a close our community relations appearances for the season. I would be remiss to not mention how much the organization the players appreciate the support you have given them this season. I know it will continue in future. Until next week, Coach Stirling