Springfield Falcons late flurry can’t solve the Manchester Monarchs

David LeNevue's 28 saves was not enough as the Springfield Falcons lost to the Manchester Monarchs 3-1. Justin Felisko/A Bird's Eye View

The Springfield Falcons sent a relentless flurry in the third period, out shooting the Manchester Monarchs 12-3, but it was not enough to overcome a 2-0 deficit and the Monarchs held on to win 2-1 at the MassMutual Center on Saturday night.

Trailing 2-1, the Falcons nearly scored with goaltender David LeNevue off the ice for the extra attacker when Tomas Kana hit the post with just under a minute remaining. Yet, Jeff Zatkoff held his own in the final flurry finishing with 29 saves in the victory. The Miami of Ohio product was named the first star of the game in front of 2,775.

Springfield coach Rob Riley told Fran Sypek of the Springfield Republican that he wants to see the urgency the Falcons showed in the third period for an entire game.

You can’t come back every night, especially against good teams. We had some great chances, but you want to be able to play six good periods a weekend and we’re not quite there yet.”

It was the second night that the Falcons had to overcome third period deficits. On Friday, Springfield scored six unanswered goals to defeat the Pirates 6-2 for the Falcons (1-3) only home win.

Bud Hollaway added an empty-net goal with 7.6 seconds remaining. The Falcons and Monarchs have split the seasons series with both teams gaining wins on the road.

Manchester coach Mark Morris called it “pandemonium” in the final five minutes according to a Monarchs press release.

It was pandemonium in the last five minutes.(Jeff) Zatkoff played really well and their goalie (David LeNeveu) played really well.  We were relieved when Bud (Holloway) finally put it out of reach for us.”

Late in the first period, David LeNevue knocked in a puck into his own net on a point shot from Thomas Hickey to give the Monarchs an early 1-0 lead. Justin Azevedo made it 2-0 within a minute of the second period when he scooped up a bad pass in the neutral zone, went in alone and scored for an unassisted short-handed goal.

Other than those two goals, LeNevue played well for most of the game racking up 28 saves in the loss. LeNevue made some great saves early in the first period on the penalty kill when he made a nice save in front and snatched the puck out of the air.

Chad Kolarik got the Falcons within one when he scored a power play goal from his knees on a rebound shot. Kolarik received a nice pass from Mike Blunden after Blunden used his skate to kick the puck across the crease to Kolarik. Blunden had recovered the original rebound from Tom Sestito’s point shot.

“We know we’ve got to stay focused for 60 minutes,” said center Chad Kolarik, who scored the lone Falcons goal. “We’re going to be good. We just need to get a little streak going.”

Springfield Falcons can’t over come ex-Hartford Whaler Kevin Dineen’s Portland Pirates

 

David LeNevue could not slow down the hot Portland Pirates on Saturday night. LeNevue is 1-1 with a 2.41 GAA on the current three-game road trip. (Photo courtesy of falconsahl.com)

 

Springfield goaltender David LeNevue had no answer for two of of the hottest players in the American Hockey League Saturday night, as Mark Mancari and Luke Adam led the Portland Pirates past the Falcons 4-2 at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

LeNevue made 22 saves but Mancari notched his fourth and fifth goals of the season and chipped in an assist while Adam had a four-point night with a goal and three assists to give the Falcons their first road loss of the year.

Former Hartford Whaler and current Pirates coach Kevin Dineen told Paul Betit of the Maine Sunday Telegram that Mancari’s “special start” is one of the main reasons that the Pirates (4-0) are off to their best start in franchise history.

We’re getting it done. We’re getting contributions from throughout the lineup and everybody’s playing extremely well. In saying that, you’ve got to give some nods to the way Mark Mancari is going right now. He’s playing some special hockey.

Mancari broke a 1-1 tie with less than eight minutes left in the period when he scored from below the hash marks while cutting across the slot. The Pirates then got goals from Dennis McCauley and Mancari again to open up a 4-1 lead on Springfield.

Springfield coach Rob Riley told Dan Hickling of the Springfield Republican that the Falcons are still in search of an idenity after the first four games of the season.

I think we’re still looking for that. It’s early in the season. We’ve played Providence (three times) so it’s hard to say where we are with some of these other teams.

Tom Sestito put the Falcons on the board first with a goal from Cody Goloubef and Chad Kolarik. Nick Holden added his first goal of the season with 4:03 remaining in the game for the Falcon’s final score, assisted by Matt Calvert and

Mancari’s performance now puts him in sole possession for goals scored in the AHL after Springfield’s Michael Blunden could not find the net on four shots. Blunden is tied with three others for second.

Adam has been the best rookie by far in the AHL this year. After his four point night, the AHL Player of the Week now has three goals and five assists for eight points which ranks fourth in the league.

Springfield finishes their three-game road trip today at Manchester. You can listen live to the game on WHYN NewsTalk 560 AM.