Falcons Generating Playoff Support With Home Ice Advantage SPRINGFIELD, Mass (WGGB) — Leading 1-0 in the opening round of the Calder Cup Playoffs, the Springfield Falcons kicked off their home playoff schedule Friday night. Many fans say it’s more important now, than ever, for the community to support the team. From face paint to homemade signs to noise makers, playoff hockey was in the air at the MassMutual Center. “My kids have been brought up on Falcons hockey,” Bill Joy of Hampden said. “It’s a great hockey club no matter what, and this year is one of the best year’s we’ve ever had.” Joy is correct, the team enjoyed success from start to finish this season and won their division. Their average home attendance this year was just short of 4,000. That’s good for 25th in a league of 30 teams. With the NBA D-League team, the Springfield Armor, not returning next season, fans say support for the Falcons is critical. “The problem is if they lose the Falcons they have nothing left,” Joe Cristoforo of Agawam said. “The Armor already left. This is the last sports franchise in the city.” Team President Sarah Pompea says the Falcons do have a solid base of fans, they need to grow it. “It’s just reaching out to new fans and having them taste our product, and want to come back time and time again so we really put a focus on family entertainment,” Pompea said. “The Falcons are committed to Springfield, as long as Springfield is committed to the Falcons.” A community campaign to drum up playoff support has included a stand out near the Basketball Hall of Fame, lawn signs, and anything else that will give fans loudly cheering on Friday more fans to cheer with Saturday and beyond. “It’ll be dynamite. We were here years ago, we had sell outs,” Joy said. “The place is really cool for the kids.” “This is where you want to be because we got a great team this year,” Al Arment of Springfield said. “We really want to get the fans out here to see this team because this is the team that’s going to bring home the cup this year.” The first round of the playoffs are hard games for all American Hockey League teams because game dates are set with very little notice for group sales to be completed, plus there is often new spring time weather that distracts fans. Fans at the game on Friday are optimistic that with more wins, the team’s playoff success will be contagious in the Springfield community, starting Saturday night. For tickets, head to falconsahl.
Posted on: Sat, 26 Apr 2014 01:23:39 +0000
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