Falcons Fall To Bruins In Home Opener
Published on October 15, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
The Springfield Falcons couldn't solve Anton Khudobin in their Saturday night home opener as they fell to the Providence Bruins 4-1 bringing their season record to 2 wins and 2 losses. 6,433 fans filled the Mass Mutual Center to support the Falcons on a special night for the team. It was Hockey Heritage Night for the Falcons and a pregame ceremony opened the season by honoring members of the 1989-1990 and 1990-1991 Calder Cup champion Springfield Indians.
The Falcons put up a fight against the Bruins and they'll be ready for their game tomorrow against Manchester says head coach Rob Riley. "We've got a tough group of guys and I think they're giving us real good effort," said Riley. "We'll come in tomorrow morning and it's a new day, well pump the guys up."
The Falcons' power play began action in the first period when a high stick drew a penalty at 17:46. Despite the Falcons 29.4% success rate on the power play, they were unable to get one past Bruins goalie Khudobin. Khudobin made key stops on the Falcons eight first period shots including a glove save that robbed a wide open Cam Atkinson at 9:20 of the first.
With 3:10 remaining in the period, Adam Mair was sent to the box for boarding. The Bruins opened the games scoring 16 seconds into the power play when a redirected puck from Jamie Tardif found its way through Springfield starting goalie Paul Dainton's pads. The Falcons left the ice with a one-goal deficit after a hard fought first period.
The second stanza opened with another Falcons power play at 13:59. Khudobin denied a peppering of shots in the power play keeping the Falcons off the board yet again. Cody Bass received a roughing penalty with 45 seconds remaining in the period putting the Bruins on their fifth man advantage of the night. Providence managed to score its second power play goal of the game when a puck deflected off Tardif into the back of the net with 2.5 second left on the clock. The late goal sent the Falcons to the locker room down by two after 40 minutes of play.
The Falcons cut their deficit in half 9:07 into the third period with a power play goal. Dane Byers put a Nick Drazenovic pass top shelf for his second goal of the season bringing the building to a roar. The Bruins answered at 14:48 after a neutral zone turnover lead to a breakaway goal by Zach Hamill giving Providence a 3-1 cushion. An empty net goal sealed the win for Providence by a score of 4-1. The Falcons outshot the Bruins 27-20 on the night.
The Falcons look to claim their first home win on Sunday. Manchester comes to town for a 3 p.m. matinee matchup at the Mass Mutual Center.
American Hockey League Stories from October 15, 2011
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