The Springfield Falcons got back to work on Friday night in Glens Falls, NY as they dropped a 5-1 decision to the host Adirondack Phantoms.
This game was not as bad as the score might indicate. The Falcons controlled play for most of the night. The quality of scoring chances wasn’t great however, and Michael Leighton played tough as usual against Springfield.
The Falcons outshot the Phantoms 44-25.
Play in the first period was dominated by the Falcons, as they fired 18 shots at Adirondack netminder Michael Leighton. Meanwhile, the Phantoms only were able to muster 8 shots on Manny Legace, starting his fifth consecutive game.
The only goal of the stanza was registered on a blast from the point by defenseman Matt Walker. Walker’s blue line cannon was his first goal of the season, and he was assisted by captain Ben Holmstrom.
Cam Atkinson, who has been playing just fine, changed his uniform number from 13 to 38.
The Phantoms notched the second goal of the game to go up 2-0 at 2:12 of the second period when Shane Harper converted for his second of the season, assisted by former Falcon and Jacket, Tom Sestito and Blake Kessel. Yes, that’s Phil’s brother.
Just over a minute later, the play came to a halt when Nick Holden was checked into the boards by the tunnel where the Falcons enter and exit the ice at the Glens Falls Civic Center.
After nearly a 20 minute delay, it was the Phantoms who struck again, opening up a 3-0 lead when Shane Harper picked up his second of the night.
The first view of the Falcons power play didn’t bring a goal, but was in the Phantoms zone for the duration. With Jonathon Kalinski off for holding, the Falcons penetrated the Phantoms zone. The best chance being a Brett Lebda drive from the high slot that just went wide.
Six seconds after Kalinski’s penalty expired, Ben Holmstrom went off for a hook of Matt Calvert near the Adirondack goal crease. The Falcons, despite having the territorial advantage, failed to cash in with the extra man.
Scoring in the second closed out with a goal by Braydon Schenn, extending the Phantoms lead to 4-0.
Danny Taylor came out to start the third period for the Falcons. Unfortunately, it was more of the same when Sestito scored his seventh goal of the season at 3:03 of the third period.
The shutout was broken by Matt Calvert at 16:39, when he was left all alone on the right side of the cage, and went top shelf over the fully extended Leighton.
Assisting Calvert were Brent Regner and Nick Drazenovic.
The game marked the end of Martin St. Pierre’s 10 game scoring streak, as well as Alexandre Giroux’s 4 game goal scoring streak.
The Falcons return home to The Nest Saturday night at 7PM when the Connecticut Whale come to town. It’s Schedule Poster night, with the first 3000 fans receiving the Falcons schedule poster.
The Falcons conclude the weekend with a Sunday afternoon game against the Albany Devils. Faceoff time on Sunday is 3PM.