Falcons Soar to #1 Sinking Portland 3-2
Mar 17, 2011; Ottawa, ON, Canada. Ottawa Senators goalie Curtis McElhinney (31)during warmup prior to game against the New Jersey Devils at ScotiaBank Place. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-US PRESSWIRE
2,187 fans piled into the MassMutual Center in Springfield this afternoon to watch the Falcons take on the Portland Pirates. The Falcons soared out of the locker room to start the first period and quickly hopped on the board as Matt Calvert tipped in a feed from Nick Drazenovic that went over Visentin for a power-play goal at 4:27. Unfortunately for Portland this was only the beginning of a variety of goals for Springfield as Joudrey tallied one shorthanded and Johansson scored on even-strength providing a 3-0 deficit through the first twenty minutes and a 19-4 edge in shots on goal. Joudrey’s goal is the sixth shorthanded goal allowed by the Pirates this season.
As the second period began the Pirates seemed to regain some control as they found themselves with a 5-on-3 advantage. At 5:20 Michael Stone would fire a shot from the left circle that sailed past net minder Curtis McElhinney and put Portland on the board. Through much of the second the two went back and forth, it wouldn’t be until 15:11 that captain Alexandre Bolduc and Ethan Werek would convert a Falcon turnover into a goal bringing the Pirates within one. Through forty minutes of play the shots on goal evened out with the Pirates holding a slight edge (14-10).
For the last twenty minutes of play the two teams traded chances back and forth, but neither were able to capitalize. Portland goaltender Mark Visentin practically stood on his head to keep the game at a one-goal deficit. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough and Springfield improved to 5-1-0 on the season, securing first place in the conference by one point over the Manchester Monarchs.
The Portland Pirates next game is Friday, November 2 against the St. John’s Ice Caps at the Cumberland County Civic Center. They will be donning their throwback jerseys from their inaugural ’93-’94 Calder Cup Championship season.
Game Notes…
Shots on Goal: Portland; 4-14-10 (28) Springfield;19-10-12 (41)
Power Play Opportunities: Portland; 1/7 Springfield; 1/4
Goalies: Visentin(POR) 1-1-0 (38 saves, 41 shots) McElhinney(SPR) 5-1-0 (26 saves, 28 shots)
Three Stars of the Game:
1. Cody Bass; 1A (Springfield)
2. Andrew Joudrey; 1G (Springfield)
3. Matt Calvert; 1G (Springfield)