Falcons Game 40: Birds Drop 3rd Straight

The Albany Devils extended the Springfield Falcons losing skid to three games on Saturday night at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. The Devils prevailed in this one by a final of 5-2, but for all intents and purposes this was over by the end of the first period.

Mark Dekanich drew the start in goal for the Falcons. After relieving Manny Legace on Friday night in Portland and stopping all 14 shots he faced, Dekanich struggled mightily back at The Nest, surrendering 4 goals on only 9 shots. He was lifted in favor of Legace to start the second period.

The clubs skated scorelessly through the middle period in the penalty filled contest. The Devils collected 29 PIM on the night, while the Falcons piled up 47 minutes. Through it all, the Devils had 9 power play opportunities, cashing in just once. The Falcons went 2 for 7 with the man advantage.

Both Falcons goals were statistically meaningful, albeit irrelevant in the big picture. Cam Atkinson tallied his 23rd of the season on assists from Martin St. Pierre and Maksim Mayorov. The goal briefly tied Atkinson for the league lead, with Cory Conacher of the Norfolk Admirals. Conacher lit the lamp later in the Norfolk game to regain the league lead with 24 markers on the season. Atkinson's goal gives him 11 on the power play, tied for the league lead in PPG with Graham Mink and Jacob Micflikier, both of the Hershey Bears.

The Falcons second goal, also on the power play was scored by Alexandre Giroux. Setting up Giroux were Nick Drazenovic and Brent Regner. The goal was Giroux's 13th on the season and 353rd of his AHL career, tying him for 9th all time with Tim Tookey. Next up for Alex is Jim Bartlett in 8th with 360 career goals.

Albany's offense was provided by Joe Whitney (first pro hat trick; goals 9, 10 and 11) and Kory Nagy (goals 1 and 2). Keith Kinkaid was in goal for the Devils, stopping 28 of 30 shots.

The Falcons finish up the weekend Sunday afternoon in Providence when they take on the Bruins at 4PM.