Falcons Edged By Monarchs

December 1, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, Mass. - The Springfield Falcons (11-4-1-3) took an early lead but could not hold off the Manchester Monarchs (10-7-2-1) on Saturday night at the MassMutual Center, dropping a 2-1 decision. Cam Atkinson scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season while Paul Dainton made 27 saves, but the Falcons fell to the Monarchs one night after pulling off a stunning comeback victory in Manchester.

The Falcons, who on Friday night shocked the Monarchs by scoring five times in the third period to overcome a 3-0 deficit and prevail 5-4, picked up where they left off early in Saturday's game. With Springfield on its first power play, Atkinson on the doorstep batted a rebound from a Ryan Craig shot past Manchester goaltender Peter Mannino at 11:13, putting the Falcons up, 1-0.

The Monarchs battled right back with a pair of quick goals to grab a 2-1 edge through the first 20 minutes. Dwight King fired home a rebound in the slot set up by a long Thomas Hickey drive to even the contest at 13:40. Linden Vey then took a centering feed from Tanner Pearson at 15:50 and snapped the puck by Dainton at 15:50, as Manchester assumed the lead.

Dainton kept it a one-goal game late in the second, reaching back to make a difficult glove save on Slava Voynov with Manchester on a five-on-three power play.

The Falcons appeared to have tied the game 11 minutes into the final stanza, as Atkinson drove a puck from the left circle by Mannino. Referee Tim Mayer ruled that Manchester had possessed the puck on a delayed penalty, negating the goal and putting the Falcons on the power play instead. Springfield could not cash in on any of its late opportunities, as Manchester emerged with the 2-1 win.

Dainton (1-3-1) turned aside 27 of 29 shots in defeat. Mannino (3-1-0) beat the Falcons for the second time in one week, allowing one goal on 21 bids.

The Falcons close out the weekend at the XL Center in Hartford on Sunday, taking on the Connecticut Whale at 5:00 p.m. to kick off a four-game road trip.

Springfield returns home on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m., battling the St. John's IceCaps at the MassMutual Center.

Single-game tickets to see the Falcons in 2012-2013 can be purchased at the MassMutual Center Box Office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. through game time on Saturday home dates, and starting four hours prior to Sunday home contests. Fans can also purchase tickets by logging onto Ticketmaster.com. For information about discounted group packages to Falcons home games, call (413) 739-GOAL (4625).

Notes:

The Falcons, who entered the night second in the league in offense at 3.56 goals scored/game, were limited to fewer than two goals for the third time in 19 contests...David Savard's point streak ended at eight games (2g-8a)...The Falcons' home game against St. John's on Dec. 15 is their only contest at the MassMutual Center in the next seven appearances...Springfield limited an opponent to two goals or less for the 12th time this season...The Falcons are 1-1-0-1 against the Monarchs this season, as the teams are halfway through the season series



American Hockey League Stories from December 1, 2012


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