MELE AND MACLEOD SCORE FOR FALCONS

FALCONS AUDIO - ROB RILEY RECAPS THE NIGHT

FALCONS AUDIO - ADAM PINEAULT TALKS ABOUT THE NIGHT

CLICK HERE FOR TONIGHT'S GAME ROSTERS

By:  Sean Seifert

September 28, 2011 - The Falcons dropped their first preseason game against the Connecticut Whale by a score of 4-2 on Wednesday at the MassMutual Center. Despite a third period rally, the Falcons couldn’t overcome a pair of early first period Connecticut goals.

The Whale netted the first goal just 26-seconds into the night with a Kelsey Tessier deflection assisted by a Tommy Grant centering pass. Grant notched his second assist of the night with a similar pass to Scott Tanski in front at 11:44, putting the Falcons in an early 2-goal hole. Despite a late burst by Falcons forward Oliver Gabriel the Falcons headed to the locker room down 0-2.

In the second period, the Whale’s scoring continued when Jordan Owens put one past Falcons’ goaltender Mike Spillane 6 minutes and 24 seconds into the period. Brian Mahoney-Wilson replaced Spillane between the pipes for the Falcons shortly after. With only 1:24 left on the clock Tanski potted his second goal for the Whale putting the Falcons in a 4-goal deficit after two.

The Falcons started the third period on the attack with their first goal of the preseason coming from Tom Mele at 19:19. Wade MacLeod made it a two-goal game with a power play blast for the Falcons with 10:16 left on the clock. The Falcons couldn’t complete the comeback and finished the game with a 4-2 loss to the Whale.

Falcons starting goaltender Spillane saw 33 minutes of ice time stopping 18 of 21 shots. Mahoney-Wilson finished the game with 13 saves on 12 shots for the Falcons.

Falcons head coach Rob Riley says the preseason is a great chance for players to make a statement.  “It’s a good opportunity for guys to make an impression on us,” said Riley. “When it comes time to call guys up, which well have to do this year, tonight’s game and Friday’s are good opportunities for them to show us.”

The Falcons next preseason matchup is at the Providence Bruins on Friday Sept. 30, at 7:00 p.m.

Connecticut Whale 4 at Springfield Falcons 2 - Status: Final
Wednesday, September 28, 2011 - MassMutual Center

Connecticut 2 2 0 - 4
Springfield 0 0 2 - 2

1st Period-1, Connecticut, Tessier 3 (Grant), 0:26. 2, Connecticut, Tanski 1 (Grant), 8:16. Penalties-Grimaldi Spr (high-sticking), 4:09; Chappell Ct (holding), 16:45; Grant Ct (roughing), 20:00; Mele Spr (roughing), 20:00.

2nd Period-3, Connecticut, Owens 1 (Kerbashian), 6:08. 4, Connecticut, Tanski 2 (Grant, Tessier), 18:36. Penalties-Wilson Ct (unsportsmanlike conduct, fighting), 2:46; Bogosian Spr (fighting), 2:46; Kearney Spr (hooking), 6:35; Grimaldi Spr (clipping), 9:13.

3rd Period-5, Springfield, Mele 1 (Ginand, Aduba), 0:41. 6, Springfield, MacLeod 1 (Prout, Ginand), 9:44 (PP). Penalties-Bogosian Spr (high-sticking), 0:44; Chappell Ct (hooking), 9:31; Kundratek Ct (delay of game), 19:27.

Shots on Goal-Connecticut 13-14-7-34. Springfield 9-8-13-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Connecticut 0 / 3; Springfield 1 / 4.
Goalies-Connecticut, Talbot 1-1-0 (11 shots-11 saves); Kuhn 0-0-0 (19 shots-17 saves). Springfield, Spillane 0-1-0 (21 shots-18 saves); Mahoney-Wilson 0-0-0 (13 shots-12 saves).
Referees-Ryan Hersey (46).
Linesmen-Jim Briggs (83), Chris Millea (33).

FALCONS LINEUP

Denny Kearney - Adam Pineault - Wade MacLeod
Oliver Gabriel - Aaron Bogosian - Matt Lombardi
Tom Mele - Phil Ginand - Obi Aduba
Chaz Johnson - Mike Thomas

Anton Blomqvist - Steven Delisle
Wade Poplawski - Joe Grimaldi
Tristin Llewellyn - Ryan Palmer
Dalton Prout

Mike Spillane
Brian Mahoney-Wilson

Not dressing - Brent Regner, Dane Byers, Cody Goloubef, Cody Bass, Allen York, Nick Drazenovic, Andrew Joudrey, Paul Dainton.

FALCONS TRAINING CAMP ROSTER

Forwards – Dane Byers, Cody Bass, Nick Drazenovic, Andrew Joudrey, Tom Mele, Matt Lombardi, Mike Thomas, Wade MacLeod, Phil Ginand, Aaron Bogosian, Denny Kearney, Obi Aduba, Chaz Johnson, Adam Pineault, Oliver Gabriel

Defense – Cody Goloubef, Steven Delisle, Dalton Prout, Joe Grimaldi, Tristin Llewellyn, Ryan Palmer, Brent Regner, Anton Blomqvist, Wade Poplawski

Goaltenders – Allen York, Paul Dainton, Brian Mahoney-Wilson, Mike Spillane

FALCONS TRAINING CAMP ICE SCHEDULE:

Thursday, September 29    Ice Time – 10:00 am @ MassMutual Center
Friday, September 30        Ice Time – 10:00 am @ Cyr Arena in Forest Park
                Preseason Game @ Marlborough Vs. Providence – 7:00 pm
Saturday, October 1        Ice Time – 10:00 am @ MassMutual Center
                Preseason Game @ MassMutual Center Vs. Providence – 7:00 pm

Single game tickets for both the 2011-12 preseason and regular season are on sale at the MassMutual Center Box Office and online at ticketmaster.com.