The on ice performance this week was limited to two games. First on Friday night, the Portland Pirates made their first visit of the season to The Nest. Three third period goals by the Falcons provided the difference, as Springfield took a 4-1 victory from the visitors.
Saturday night, the Falcons suffered through some uneven play in the first two periods, before putting up a furious comeback in the third, only to fall to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers by a 4-3 count.
In the Northeast Division, the standings look quite a bit different than they did last Monday.
Riding a current streak of 5-0-1-1, the Albany Devils have vaulted into first place in the division. While, from the “things happen quickly” department, the Connecticut Whale, last week’s division leader, having lost two in a row, have fallen into third place.
AHL NORTHEAST DIVISION STANDINGS (as of 11/14/11):
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | PTS | GF | GA |
| Albany (NJD) | 16 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 37 | 46 |
| Adirondack (PHI) | 13 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 41 | 34 |
| Connecticut (NYR) | 14 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 44 | 44 |
| Bridgeport (NYI) | 15 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 47 | 51 |
| Springfield (CBJ) | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 41 | 42 |
Currently, the Falcons, despite being last in their division, are only four points out of first place, and just three points off the pace for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The week was active as usual for the Falcons! Details, stats and videos are after the jump…
Things got started last Monday, when
was sent back to Springfield by Columbus. Then, in a PTO signing that was orchestrated by Columbus Assistant GM, Chris MacFarland, former Detroit Red Wing defensemen
was signed to help the Falcons blueline. It then came out later in the week, that Lebda may be on a short list to aid the Jackets blueline.
On Wednesday, two more players were assigned to the Falcons. First,
came back to The Nest after spending the previous weekend with the big club.
Then, the much heralded
was sent to Springfield. Originally planned as a one game rehab stint, things got Twilight Zone weird in a hurry. Dex suffered a groin pull during a pre-game warmup, came off the ice and did not return.
It’s been since updated by Columbus GM Scott Howson, that Dekanich will remain on the Falcons roster until he heals up and is ready for some game play. According to Howson, it could take anywhere between one and four weeks until he’s ready.
Sunday brought some stability to the netminding picture for the Blue Jackets, when
was taken off of IR, and returned to the active roster. His reinstatement allowed the Jackets to return
to the Falcons.
Nick Drazenovic sat out both games this weekend after turning up a lower body injury at practice on Wednesday. His absence has allowed red hot
to move into a tie for the team lead in points, with 14.
St. Pierre, with points in both weekend games, has extended his scoring streak to seven consecutive games.
Friday night’s goals (Atkinson, St. Pierre, Russell, Joudrey):
Friday night’s fight (Cody Goloubef):
Saturday night’s goals (Giroux, Russell, Giroux):
Saturday night’s fights (Dane Byers, Aaron Bogosian):
Falcons Individual Stats:
| Player | Pos. | GP | G | A | Pts. | +/- | PIM |
| Martin St. Pierre | C | 14 | 5 | 9 | 14 | +3 | 8 |
| Nick Drazenovic | LW | 11 | 3 | 11 | 14 | -2 | 8 |
| Cam Atkinson | RW | 12 | 5 | 2 | 7 | +2 | 8 |
| Dane Byers | LW | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | -7 | 58 |
| Wade MacLeod | LW | 13 | 1 | 6 | 7 | -2 | 8 |
| Ryan Russell | C | 12 | 6 | 0 | 6 | +2 | 7 |
| Cody Goloubef | D | 13 | 0 | 6 | 6 | -6 | 21 |
| Alexandre Giroux | LW | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 | +1 | 2 |
| Nick Holden | D | 14 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -4 | 6 |
| Brent Regner | D | 13 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 2 |
| David Savard | D | 6 | 0 | 5 | 5 | +3 | 8 |
| Ryan Garlock | C | 14 | 0 | 5 | 5 | -4 | 2 |
| Cody Bass X | C | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -1 | 13 |
| Andrew Joudrey | C | 14 | 2 | 2 | 4 | +1 | 2 |
| Ray Macias X | D | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | +3 | 0 |
| Tomas Kubalik | RW | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Mike Thomas | RW | 13 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -2 | 4 |
| Adam Mair | C | 10 | 0 | 3 | 3 | +1 | 20 |
| John Moore X | D | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 2 |
| Aaron Bogosian | LW | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 14 |
| Oliver Gabriel | LW | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -5 | 0 |
| Dalton Prout | D | 14 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 12 |
| Brett Lebda | D | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +2 | 0 |
| Teddy Ruth | D | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| Chaz Johnson X | RW | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Maksim Mayorov | LW | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 0 |
| Allen York | G | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Anton Blomqvist | D | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 7 |
| Paul Dainton X | G | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Matt Calvert X | LW | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -4 | 2 |
| Manny Legace (SPR only) | G | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steven Delisle X | D | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 8 |
| Danny Taylor | G | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
GOALTENDING:
Danny Taylor is ranked 23rd, with a 2.50 GAA and a .921 save percentage.
Elsewhere in the media, the weekend’s Connecticut Post featured a piece on Cam Atkinson. According to Cam, “Wherever I am, it’s fun.”
I’ll bet it is.
The Falcons return to action this Wednesday night as they conclude their season high, six game homestand when they host the Worcester Sharks at 7PM.
The Birds close out the week with two road games. Friday night they head to Providence, RI to take on the Bruins. Saturday night, the Falcons take on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in Bridgeport, CT.
The Bridgeport game could be interesting. The Falcons dominated the third period here on Saturday. Also, the Dane Byers meltdown and the Trevor Gillies cheap shot could be issues that are seeking resolution.