Falcons Weekly Recap: Week 13

Week 13 of the AHL season wasn't kind to the Springfield Falcons. The Birds, after the Christmas break, played three games this week, yet only took one point in the standings as they went 0-2-1 for the week.

Last Wednesday, the Falcons visited Syracuse. After a forgettable first period in which the Falcons dug themselves into a two goal hole, they battled back and gave up two empty netters to fall by a score of 5-2.

Friday night it was back on home ice. Home ice hasn't been kind to the Falcons this season or last. Not just that, but there was a big crowd on hand, something else that hasn't worked out well for the team. It didn't help that hot and cold Anton Khudobin was red hot for the visiting Providence Bruins. The game ended up going to a shootout, with the B's prevailing for the 2-1 win.

Week 13 and calendar 2011 drew to a close on New Year's Eve in Hartford with a game against the Connecticut Whale. The Falcons got off to a good start, taking a 2-1 lead into the locker room after one period. The Whale came storming back, with four unanswered goals in the second and third periods, claiming a 5-2 win over Springfield for their fifth win in as many attempts against the Falcons this season.

This week, the standings look like this:

Even with the recent struggles, the defensive play of rookie Dalton Prout has been good. The Blue Jackets sixth rounder in the 2010 Entry Draft has been able to transition nicely from the junior ranks to the AHL. Prout's play has improved steadily through the first half of the season. Playing on the second pair with Brent Regner has afforded him the ability to sharpen his skills while making positive contributions to the team.

Anton Blomqvist returned to the lineup this week for the first time since October 16th when he got injured against the Manchester Monarchs. Similar to when Maksim Mayorov recently returned to the lineup, it may take a few games to get up to full speed, but his return was timely for the Falcons. Speaking of Maks, in his last four games he has notched two goals and added two assists.

Tomas Kubalik is another player who missed some time due to injury. Kubie is regaining his rookie form, when he led the Falcons in scoring. He has registered four goals in his last four games.