FALCONS ONE SHORT AGAINST DEVILS
By: Sean Seifert
November 27, 2011 – The Springfield Falcons fell to the Albany Devils on Sunday afternoon by a 3-2 decision at the MassMutual Center. A third period burst brought them close, but with the loss the Falcons ended the weekend with three straight losses.
Falcons head coach Rob Riley says he is still looking for consistency out of his team. “You can’t win three and then lose three. We’ve done that twice and that’s what we need to avoid,” said Riley.
The Falcons opened the scoring at 5:25 of the first frame. Ryan Garlock carried a pass from Wade MacLeod to the right post and slotted home his first goal of the season to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead over the Devils. Albany recovered with a power play goal coming from Steve Zalewski at 8:51 to even the scoring at one apiece. At the end of the period, the Devils converted a 2-on-1 break to take the lead. Steve Bernier set up Stephane Veilleux at 17:42 to put the Devils up 2-1 over the Falcons after the first period.
Riley says the first period has been a soft spot lately. “One brutal thing for us this weekend has been the first period. We haven’t done anything right,” said Riley.
The second period remained scoreless, but the Falcons threw 15 shots on net looking for the tying goal. Manny Legace shut down an Albany breakaway with the right pad to keep Springfield within a goal at 2-1 after two periods of play.
Despite a string of third period efforts, the Falcons let up an empty net goal to Stephen Gionta at 18:39 to make it a 3-1 game. In a last minute push with the extra skater, Matt Calvert knocked home a rebound to bring the Falcons within a goal at 19:09.
The Falcons couldn’t complete the comeback and dropped the game to the Devils 3-2.
“I think the effort is there, but the execution needs to improve,” said Coach Riley.
Springfield gets back to work on December 2nd for a Friday night matchup against the Worcester Sharks on the road. The Falcons beat the Sharks 3-2 in overtime on November 16th at home.
Sunday's Lines
Alexandre Giroux - Nick Drazenovic - Cam Atkinson
Matt Calvert - Ryan Russell - Tomas Kubalik
Dane Byers - Andrew Joudrey - Adam Mair
Aaron Bogosian - Ryan Garlock - Wade MacLeod
David Savard - Nick Holden
Dalton Prout - Brent Regner
Cody Goloubef - Brett Lebda
Manny Legace
Danny Taylor
Not dressed: Anton Blomqvist, Maksim Mayorov (Injured), Oliver Gabriel, Theo Ruth, Martin St. Pierre (Injured), Mike Thomas, Tim Spencer (Injured)
GAME NOTES
Nick Drazenovic didn't return for the third period due to injury with Ryan Garlock moving up between Cam Atkinson and Alexandre Giroux.
Dane Byers returned to the lineup after serving a two-game AHL suspension.
Albany Devils 3 at Springfield Falcons 2 - Status: Final
Sunday, November 27, 2011 - MassMutual Center
Albany 2 0 1 - 3
Springfield 1 0 1 - 2
1st Period-1, Springfield, Garlock 1 (MacLeod, Lebda), 5:25. 2, Albany, Zalewski 4 (Wiseman, Whitney), 8:58 (PP). 3, Albany, Veilleux 2 (Bernier, Anderson), 17:43. Penalties-Veilleux Alb (hooking), 3:21; Prout Spr (holding), 8:51; Whitney Alb (goaltender interference), 18:23.
2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Kubalik Spr (tripping), 1:38; Zalewski Alb (checking to the head), 10:23.
3rd Period-4, Albany, Gionta 3 18:39. 5, Springfield, Calvert 2 (Atkinson, Holden), 19:09. Penalties-Garlock Spr (interference), 5:30; Mair Spr (cross-checking), 11:59; Gelinas Alb (hooking), 12:27.
Shots on Goal-Albany 14-7-6-27. Springfield 9-15-14-38.
Power Play Opportunities-Albany 1 / 4; Springfield 0 / 4.
Goalies-Albany, Kinkaid 6-4-0 (38 shots-36 saves). Springfield, Legace 3-5-0 (27 shots-24 saves).
A-2,232
Referees-Jarrod Ragusin (42).
Linesmen-Frank Murphy (29), Robert St. Lawrence (10).
