Falcons Bitten By Crunch In Game 1
Published on May 10, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
Springfield, Mass. - The Springfield Falcons (3-2) allowed four first-period goals en route to a 5-2 setback at the hands of the Syracuse Crunch (4-0) in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Friday night at the MassMutual Center.
Tyler Johnson, the Les Cunningham Award winner as the AHL's most valuable player in 2012-13, scored once and added two assists, as the Crunch built a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 2 will be played on Saturday night at the MassMutual Center.
Mark Barberio ignited Syracuse's productive opening frame by wristing a rebound off a Richard Panik shot past Springfield goaltender Curtis McElhinney at 8:40. On the ensuing shift, Panik backhanded a loose puck past McElhinney from the top of the crease off a chance created by Johnson at 9:00, as the Crunch established an early 2-0 edge.
Ondrej Palat took a slashing penalty after Panik scored, putting Springfield on a power play. The Falcons converted at 10:06, as Nick Drazenovic's right-circle shot deflected off of a Crunch defenseman's skate and in. Springfield drew to within a goal, 2-1.
Syracuse countered moments later, taking back momentum by reclaiming its two-goal advantage, 3-1, when J.T. Brown snapped a pass from J.T. Wyman past McElhinney from the slot at 11:26.
Brett Connolly batted a puck to Dan Sexton late in the initial stanza and charged the net in search of a rebound. After Sexton threw the puck on net, Connolly fired the ricochet from McElhinney's pad into the net at 18:13, as Syracuse went up, 4-1.
Johnson zipped a right-circle attempt on a rush in the second period by McElhinney's stick, as Syracuse scored for the fifth time on nine shots at 10:10 for a 5-1 cushion. Allen York replaced McElhinney in goal for the final half of the contest.
Ryan Craig redirected a Nick Holden drive past Syracuse netminder Cedrick Desjardins on the power play with under two seconds to go in the contest. The Crunch won, 5-2.
McElhinney (3-2) made four saves on nine shots and was removed from a game for the first time since a 6-5 overtime loss to Portland on Nov. 23. York, making his Calder Cup Playoff debut, was perfect on all 11 attempts.
Desjardins (4-0) allowed two goals on 24 bids.
Springfield and Syracuse play Game 2 of the series on Saturday at the MassMutual Center. The clubs then move to Syracuse's War Memorial Arena for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday, May 15 and Friday, May 17.
If necessary, Syracuse will host Game 5 on Saturday, May 18. Springfield would be at home for Games 6 and 7 on Tuesday, May 21 and Wednesday, May 22 should the series reach those points.
All games in the series will begin at 7 p.m.
Fans can purchase tickets for the three potential remaining home games of the series now at the MassMutual Center Box Office, or through Ticketmaster.com. 10-Flex Playoff Packs, which allow fans to purchase 10 vouchers that are redeemable at any home game during the postseason, remain on sale by calling (413) 739-GOAL (4625). Unused vouchers can be returned to the Falcons' front office until Jun. 30 for a credit toward any 2013-14 ticket package.
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