The difference was Paul Dainton in net for the Falcons. Dainton surrendered three goals on eight shots in the first period, leaving the Birds in a 3-0 hole. When he gave up goal number four on the first shot of the second period, out came weekend sensation Mike Clemente, but the four goal deficit was too much to overcome. More after the jump:
Not for a lack of effort, the Falcons doubled up the
in shots on goal, 44-22 for the game.
kept the B’s in the game, making 43 saves in the winning effort, as well as skating away as the game’s top star.
Despite the 44 shots, the only goal was scored by Nick Drazenovic who scored his ninth of the season on the power play at 9:51 of the second period. Assisted by
and
, I thought this could have been the momentum changer that the Falcons needed.
But just over three minutes later, Clemente made a nice save, then proceeded to lose the puck. Literally, he had no idea where it was, although it was only a couple of feet to his left. The way the puck laid there, I thought maybe I had missed a whistle. Kirk MacDonald of the Bruins skated in for the easiest tap in goal that he’ll ever get. More important, it gave the Bruins their four goal cushion back which is where the game finished after a scoreless third period.
Although registering four points in the standings this weekend, the Birds lost ground with the loss today.
Manchester 3 at St. John’s 0
Portland 4 at Connecticut 5 SO
Bridgeport 2 at Worcester 5
Hershey 4 at Albany 1
Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention and offer congratulations to the Norfolk Admirals. The Admirals blanked the Charlotte Checkers 5-0 this afternoon and in the process set an AHL record (76 years!), by winning their 18th consecutive game.
Eastern Conference standings after today’s action:
7. Manchester 69 points, 11 games remaining
8. Worcester 67 points, 13 games remaining
9. Syracuse 66 points, 12 games remaining
10. Springfield 66 points, 11 games remaining
11. Albany 65 points, 12 games remaining
12. Portland 65 points, 12 games remaining
13. Adirondack 63 points, 12 games remaining
14. Providence 63 points, 11 games remaining
The Falcons return to action next Friday night at 7:30 when they host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.