THIRD PERIOD RALLY TOO LATE FOR FALCONS
December 4, 2009 - The Springfield Falcons found themselves in a hole they could not dig themselves out of on Friday night losing to the Worcester Sharks 4-2 in front of an energetic 3,373 at the MassMutual Center. The Falcons fell behind 3-0 through two periods of play and despite a third period rally, they lost their fourth straight game going 0-3-1-0 in that span.
LIVE BOX SCORE
Worcester came out fast and furious in the first period and took a 1-0 lead at the 11:34 mark when Benn Ferriero's one-timer beat Falcons starting goaltender Andrew Perugini. With the Falcons trailing by one, Springfield's Theo Peckham and Worcester's Nick Petrecki dropped the gloves with Peckham scoring the knockdown and getting some life back in the home crowd.
The Sharks expanded their lead in the second period when Dwight Helminen scored at 3:46 of the middle period, followed by Logan Couture converting on the power play at 9:51 of the second period giving Worcester a three-goal cushion. Following Couture's goal, Perugini was relieved by Aaron Sorochan between the Springfield pipes after Perugini allowed three goals on 18 shots.
"Those first two periods were just embarrassing," said Falcons head coach Rob Daum. "You don't get points for just showing up in pro hockey, I don't even want to discuss the third period because the first 40 minutes was just not acceptable."
Trailing by three entering the third period, the Falcons quickly cut their deficit to two when Colton Fretter scored his team-leading 11th marker of the year just-53-seconds into the final frame. Newly acquired Adam Henrich converted on a Fretter pass at 3:33 of the final stanza cutting the Falcons' deficit to 3-2 with plenty of time remaining in regulation.
With Springfield applying continues pressure, Geoff Paukovich was whistled for a roughing penalty midway through the third period, and the Sharks took advantage as Couture added his second power play marker of the contest regaining Worcester's two-goal lead at 4-2.
"We were able to get within one in the third, but again, we can't expect to play just one period of hockey and expect to win a hockey game," said Daum. "We get back at it again on Saturday and we are going through a tough test right now. We have to come out Saturday and play with some passion and do all the things you need to do to win a game."
FALCONS NOTES
- Adam Henrich returned to the Falcons after being signed to a PTO on Thursday. Henrich started the season with the Falcons before being released on October 13.
- Jason Morgan was released from his PTO prior to Friday's game and he is expected to sign with a team in Europe.
- Colin McDonald was assigned back to the Falcons by Edmonton following the Oilers game Thursday night.
- The Falcons hosted their annual Teddy Bear Toss on Friday night with fans throwing hundreds of teddy bears on the ice after the Falcons first goal. The bears were sponsored by the US Army and will be donated to the United Way.
- Goaltender Aaron Sorochan stopped 18 of 19 shots in 28-minutes of action in relief of the starter Andrew Perugini.
THREE STARS
1. Couture - Worcester - 2 goals
2. Fretter - Springfield - 1 goal, 1 assist
3. Ferriero - Worcester - 1 goal
FALCONS LINEUP
Chalres Linglet - Chad Wiseman - Colton Fretter
Kip Brennan - Bryan Lerg - Ryan MacMurchy
Slava Trukhno - Adam Henrich - Bill Thomas
Liam Reddox - Geoff Paukovich - Colin McDonald
Theo Peckham - Alex Plante
Bryan Young - Cody Wild
Chris Armstrong - Johan Motin
Andrew Perugini
Aaron Sorochan
FALCONS SCRATCHES - Matt Nickerson (Healthy), Chris Minard (Injured), Jamie Bates (Healthy), Jake Taylor (Injured)
PRE-GAME STORY
By Andrew Tressler:
December 4, 2009- The Springfield Falcons come into this week with a 10-9-3-2 record in the Atlantic Division. This is despite losing key players to injuries or NHL call ups to Edmonton. Players like Chris Minard, Ryan Potulny, Devan Dubnyk, Dean Arsene, Ryan O’Marra, and Colin McDonald to name a few. This signifies the need of other players to step up and play a larger role on the team. One player who has played consistently outstanding this season is Left Wing Charles Linglet.
This season Linglet has tallied a team leading 19 assists to go along with seven goals. Linglet previously played for the Peoria Rivermen for 3-plus seasons. In his first two full seasons with the Rivermen (2006-08), Linglet played in 153 games, recording 126 points (55 G, 71 A). Linglet injured his hand during the 2008-09 season with Peoria as he struggled in his 37 games producing only one goal and eight assist. Linglet joined the Falcons later that year with an immediate impact on the team playing in 21 games recording 16 points (7 G, 9 A), which he has already surpassed this season.
“I’ve worked hard in the summer to get ready for camp,” Linglet credits on his solid season thus far, “I try to go out there and work hard and help my teammates to help the team win.”
Linglet has enjoyed his fresh start in Springfield with the Falcons. Linglet is in a new environment with a new coach and new system to play under. Coming to a different team and city provides the player the prospect to start over and get another opportunity, which Linglet has taken advantage of in his first 45 games with the Falcons.
“I think a fresh start was key,” said Falcons Head Coach Rob Daum on Linglet, “I think when he came here last year he played very well for us down the stretch. I just think he was in a rut in Peoria for whatever reason, those things happen. I just think a fresh start here was a positive for him.”
This season is Linglet’s first full season under Coach Daum and his system. Under Daum, Linglet has a better opportunity to use his hockey skills to their highest potential. Linglet appreciates Coach Daum and his coaching philosophy, crediting him for much of his success this year.
“I think he puts us accountable for our mistakes,” Linglet said on Coach Daum, “He’s good at letting us do a better job when we do make a mistake. He’s not all over you when you turn the puck over, but if you do three times he’ll say something, but he’ll trust you not to make the mistake. For me that’s something that I like…That’s the freedom that I have here.”
Linglet and Daum and developed a solid coach and player relationship and understanding. One that is shared among many Falcons players with the coaching staff. Of course, it takes more than just listening to Coach to be a successful player. It means putting in the effort and going that extra mile in order to achieve greatness.
“His skills are evident and obvious,” said Coach Daum on Linglet, “But his work ethic has been very solid. And it’s one thing to be skilled and not compete, but Charles is skilled and he wants to compete. When he has the puck he wants to keep it. When he loses the puck he wants to get it back.”
That type of mentality that Linglet possesses can not be taught, but rather it is a sign of a mature player who understands what needs to be done for his team to win. Linglet tributes his maturity level to those 37 games in the 2008-09 season with Peoria where he learned how to overcome the struggles of being an AHL hockey player. This is another characteristic that one can not teach a player, but rather it is one a player must learn on his own. Linglet has now played in over 275 AHL games understanding what it truly means to be a professional hockey player.
“You see a different game,” said Linglet on his AHL career experience, “So far I’ve seen lots of different styles. You play so many games…I know how to handle myself on the ice against certain teams and certain systems now.”
Linglet has also been fortunate to be playing with some of the more productive lines the Falcons have had this season. Whether it be with Chris Minard, Colton Fretter, or Chad Wiseman, Linglet has done exceptionally well in his time with Springfield up until now.
The Falcons would not be where they are today without #7 Charles Linglet. Here is hoping Linglet can maintain his brilliant play for the rest of the season.
