Albany started the scoring parade with Darcy “Don’t Call Me Travis” Zajac at 4:23 of the opening period.
Three minutes later, Aaron Bogosian brought the Falcons even on an assist from Ryan Garlock. Bogo’s goal was a laser from the top of the faceoff circle. Albany goaltender Jeff Frazee was completely defenseless on the cannon blast.
On the Falcons second power play opportunity of the night, Nick Holden converted as he moved in from the point for his first goal of the season. Assisting on Nick’s tally were some pretty fair company, Martin St. Pierre and Alexandre Giroux.
The Falcons opened up a two goal lead when Brent Regner netted his first marker of the season. Regner’s wrister from the high slot cleanly beat Frazee on the glove side. Mike Thomas with one assist and Ryan Garlock picked up his second assist of the night on the play.
Cody Goloubef continued his confident play on defense. Cody was on the fast track to maturing as a defender in the second half of last season and his play is showing that his development continues.
The Falcons took a 3-1 lead into the first intermission.
Nick Drazenovic notched his first goal of the campaign at 1:27 of the second period. Dane Byers and Adam Mair set up the goal as the Birds took a 4-1 lead. Draz was left completely alone in front of Frazee, who once again was completely deserted by his defense.
The Devils, feeling this one slipping away quickly, pulled back within two when Matt Anderson scored at 4:49 of the second period.
Cody Bass continued his on his pace for 76 goals this season when he shoveled in a rebound for his second in as many nights on helpers from Brent Regner and Nick Drazenovic.
After two periods, the Falcons held a 5-2 lead. The Birds also held a slight advantage in shots on goal, 19-17.
Early in the final stanza, the Falcons dug themselves a quick hole when Steven Delisle was called for a holding minor. Just over a minute later, Adam Mair went off for tripping, giving the Devils a 5 on 3 power play.
The Falcons turned in a great effort on the PK. However less than a minute after the big kill, Matthew Corrente brought the Devils back within two goals at 5-3.
Dane Byers gave the Falcons their three goal cushion back on helpers from Nick Drazenovic and Cody Bass at 10:46 of the third period. Frazee made the initial stop on the point blast by Draz, but couldn’t control the rebound as Byers banged it home.
Play got chippy around the midway point of the third period. Penalties to Tim Sestito for interference, Matt Taormina for goaltender interference, Springfield’s Cody Bass for roughing and Darcy Zajac for slashing all came in the last half of the third period.
TALON TRAPPINGS (courtesy of Damon Markiewicz)
The Falcons had 11 of their 18 skaters record at least a point in the game…Nick Drazenovic led the way with one goal and two assists…Ryan Garlock (2 assists), Dane Byers (1goal, 1 assist), Brent Regner (1 goal, 1 assist) and Cody Bass (1 goal, 1 assist) all had multi-point games…Steven Delisle made his AHL debut…Mike Thomas earned his first pro point with an assist…Columbus assistant GM Chris MacFarland was in attendance…Allen York, who played his college hockey at nearby R.P.I. had a large media gathering at his locker after the game…The post-game movie on the bus was “Animal House.”
The Falcons (1-1-0-0) return to action Friday night when the Birds travel to Wilkes Barre/Scranton to take on the Penguins. Action continues next Saturday when the Falcons open their home season when they entertain the Providence Bruins.