Falcons Game 9: Taylor Made

The second period started with a bang when Martin St. Pierre notched his fourth of the season on assists from Wade MacLeod and Cody Goloubef at the 48 second mark of the period.

Back in the Falcon lineup tonight, for one night only (at this time), was David Savard. The blueliner started the season with the Blue Jackets, but has been a healthy scratch two of the last three games. With a tough test coming up Thursday night in Buffalo, Columbus General Manager Scott Howson commented during the first period intermission that Savard would be rejoining the Jackets for the Thursday night game.

Other lineup notes - Dane Byers was named Captain of the Falcons before the game. Byers was captain of the Hartford Wolfpack for two seasons before being traded to the Jackets just about a year ago.

Adam Mair is suspended for four games got the hit he put on Mats Zuccarello at the game Saturday night in Springfield. In addition to tonight, he'll miss weekend games against Hershey and St. John's as well as a week from Friday (Nov. 4) against Adirondack.

Another defenseman is in town. Darcy Campbell signed a PTO with the Falcons on Tuesday. Campbell started the season playing three games with the Chicago Express of the ECHL. Prior to that, he played one NHL game - for the Blue Jackets back in 2007. He split the '07-'08 season between Syracuse and Lake Erie in the AHL. After spending a season in Europe, he played for Rio Grande of the CHL last season. In 60 games, he registered 16 goals and 46 assist for 62 points.

The third period was really interesting. Now, you could look at the shots on goal in the period (Manchester 18, Springfield 1) and think that it was a complete failure and disaster.

I didn't see it that way. At least for most of the second half of the period. The Monarchs quality scoring chances were quite limited in the first 18 minutes. The Falcons did a terrific job of clock management, using a lot of puck control and the occasional dump-and-chase to run the clock from about 10 minutes down to under one minute with no whistles.

The last 37 seconds though were all Manchester and Danny Taylor was the story. Taylor stopped everything sent his way, and in every way imaginable. The clock stoppage at 19:23 was to send Wade MacLeod off for a tripping minor. Manchester pulled goaltender Jones giving them a two man power play for those torturous 37 seconds.

With about two seconds remaining, Manchester hit the post, but that was as close as they would come on this occasion. This was a real nailbiter and a nice road win for the Falcons.

The Falcons return to action Friday night when the Hershey Bears come to town. Faceoff time is 7:30PM.