MANCHESTER MONARCHS (10-7-3) 2, SPRINGFIELD FALCONS (11-4-4) 1
MassMutual Center | Springfield, MA
Attendance: 3,722

THE RUNDOWN
After overcoming a three-goal deficit in the third period the night before, the Falcons seemingly had the momentum heading into tonight’s re-match at home against the Manchester Monarchs. 

Yet, the Monarchs dictated the pace of the game almost from the drop of the puck, out-shooting the Falcons 29-21 and stealing a 2-1 victory in Springfield at the MassMutual Center.

Paul Dainton started in net tonight for the Falcons, facing off against Peter Mannino of the Manchester Monarchs.  It was Dainton’s sixth start in goal for the Falcons, and Mannino’s fifth start for the Monarchs.

Things started out smoothly for the Falcons as Cam Atkinson put the Falcons ahead with a power play goal at 11:13 of the first period.  Atkinson batted home a rebound from the side of the cage after Mannino made two saves at point-blank range.  Nick Drazenovic and Ryan Craig earned the assists on the goal, which was Atkinson’s ninth of the season.

Less than two minutes later, the Monarchs came storming back with a goal by Dwight King at 13:40.  Linden Vey scored the game-winning goal (and final goal of the game) for the Monarchs at 15:50 of the opening period.

While the final score seems a bit tame after last night’s back-and-forth thriller, special teams played a pivotal role for both teams tonight.  The Falcons couldn’t seem to stay out of the penalty box and had to rely on their aggressive penalty-killing to keep the score at 2-1.  The Monarchs even enjoyed over a minute with a two-man advantage at the end of the second period and heading into the third period.

Paul Dainton was solid in net, making 27 saves, including a beautiful glove save on Slava Voynov’s wrist shot from the point late in the second period to keep the Falcons within a goal going into the final period.

Still, the magic from the previous night’s comeback did not resurface for the Falcons, who have lost four of their last five games. 

PIVOTAL MOMENT
Atkinson scored again in the third period to tie the game – or so it seemed before the referee waived it off and instead, called a hooking penalty on Brandon Kozun of the Manchester Monarchs.  The Falcons did not score on the ensuing power play and went one-for-six with the man advantage tonight.

THREE STARS

1. Linden Vey (MCH) - 1 goal

2. Cam Atkinson (SPR) - 1 goal

3. Peter Mannino (MCH) - 20 saves


UP NEXT
vs. Connecticut Whale
XL Center | Hartford, CT
Sunday, 5 p.m.