The Springfield Falcons were able to get a 6-2 home win against the Albany River Rates in a Sunday matinee. Springfield played aggressive on the ice and scored a season high six goals against Albany. The Falcons were able to get three out of a possible four points over the weekend and they have earned at least one point in all eight of their home games (5-0-2-1, 13 points)."That's what you need when you have a lineup that's depleted for a variety of different reasons," said Falcons Head Coach Rob Daum on other players stepping up, "And other people, they get an opportunity and they have to take advantage of it and our expectations is that if your in the lineup, you have to contribute...and some guys did that tonight."
The game started out with a bang, as Springfield's Jake Taylor and Albany's Nicolas Blanchard dropped gloves immediately in a center ice showdown. It was an even match until Taylor took Blanchard down to the ice. The physical play continued later in the first when Falcons forward Charles Linglet and River Rats forward Brad Herauf got into it a scuffle.
In an intense first period, the Falcons were able to get the early lead as they scored two first period goals. Scoring the first goal was Chad Wiseman on a Falcons power play. Wiseman extended his scoring streak to four consecutive games with his fifth overall goal of the season. Falcons Bryan Lerg was able to score his first goal of the season with 52 seconds left in the period to give the Falcons a 2-0 heading into the first intermission. Earning the assist on Lerg's goal were Theo Peckham and Bill Thomas. This was Thomas's first point as a member of the Springfield Falcons.
"I feel good," said Lerg on his two goal performance, "I sort of felt like I didn't have as much confidence the past couple weeks, I didn't think I was burying my chances. I was getting opportunities, but couldn't bury the chances. Tonight it finally felt good to put a couple in."
The River Rats had their chances with four early shots on goal, but were unable to connect. At the end of the first period, Springfield outshot the River Rats 7-5. In the second period, Linglet was able to continue his solid season with his seventh goal of the season as the Falcons converted on a power play, their second power play goal of the game for Springfield. Geoff Paukovich made it a 4-0 Falcons lead with his third goal of the season at the 17:55 mark in the second stanza.
The Falcons Matt Nickerson and Albany's Herauf took part of the third fight of the game during the second stanza, with Nickerson getting the better of Herauf. Both teams played a physical style of play from start to finish.
In the third period, Lerg was able to score his second goal of the game and season thanks to a nice drop pass by Bill Thomas, making it 5-0 Springfield.
"I was screaming down the ice," Lerg said about on his second goal of the game, "I was sort of just following it up and I didn't know if he heard me. He cut through the middle and both guys fell to him and a nice little backhand drop pass by him. And I got about ten strides into it and wound up and swang for the sky. It was a very good pass, it was all him I just came and ripped it."
Albany avoided the shutout as Brett Carson found the net from his own blue line as Devan Dubnyk let one slip by. The Falcons got that goal back with a third power play goal of the game by Slava Trukhno. Later in the period, Albany scored with a two-man advantage Pat Dwyer goal, making it a 6-2 game.
The difference in the game was the Falcons ability to take advantage of their power plays, as well as playing stellar in the penalty kill, stopping six of Albany's seven power plays. Springfield was perfect on their power play, converting on all of their three chances.
"Special teams are always important," said Coach Daum, "And especially the penalty kill today cause if you noticed in the second period they gained some momentum from their power play even though they didn't score. We had to kill off 2 or 3 in a row and gave them a chance had they been able to put on in there it would have been a different hockey game. Fortunately, they didn't and we were able to get the momentum back."
Falcons' goalie Devan Dubnyk played well in goal, making 32 of 34, including some key saves on the penalty kill. The River Rats outshot the Falcons 34-26. Without many of the regular players playing for the Falcons, Springfield needed other guys to step up.
"A lot of guys stepped up tonight huge," said Dubnyk, "Bryan Lerg obviously had a great night. Our checkers were flying with [Colin] McDonald and [Ryan] O'Marra and [Geoff] Paukovich, all those guys really stepped up for us. That's what you need when guys go down and I thought our D played well tonight and we needed that."
Springfield is now 8-5-3-1 on the season with 20 points. The Falcons next game is this Wednesday, November 18 against the Lowell Devils at 7pm at the MassMutual Center.
Game Notes The official attendance at tonight's game was 3,003... Julia Bussell sang the game's national anthem beautifully...Making his Falcons debut in the game was Jamie Bates...Following the game, fans were able to attend a post game autograph session with the Falcons players and coaches. Everyone in attendance received a team poster before the game.
Three Stars of Game
1st Star- Bryan Lerg (2 G) - SPR
2nd Star- Chad Wiseman (1 G, 1 A) - SPR
3rd Star- Slava Trukhno (1 G, 1 A) - SPR
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