Wolf Pack net 7, beat Falcons

HARTFORD, Conn. (WWLP) - The Springfield Falcons lost to the Hartford Wolf Pack 7-3 on Saturday night at the XL Center in Hartford, CT concluding a three-game road trip. The Falcons will now be off from game action until they host the Manchester Monarchs on Friday, October 16 at the MassMutual Center.

The Wolf Pack built a 3-0 lead within the first 10 minutes of the first period as Nigel Williams, Corey Locke and Pierre Parenteau all scored for Hartford energizing their home opening night crowd. After settling their
game down, the Falcons responded with a pair of goals as Geoff Paukovich and Ryan Potulny converted for the Falcons cutting their deficit to 3-2 after 20 minutes of play.

"We knew Hartford would come out in the first 10 minutes and play with a lot of energy because it was their home opener," said Falcons head coach Rob Daum. "We were able to bounce back and get ourselves in the hockey
game, but we gave it right back with the penalties we would take as the game went on."

It was a very spirited first period as Kip Brennan and Brent Henley dropped the gloves, followed by Jake Taylor dropping the gloves with Patrick Rissmiller after Rissmiller hit Potulny from behind.

The Falcons were 1-3 on the power play in the first period, while Hartford was 2-5. Liam Reddox and Hartford goaltender Matt Zaba collided at the end of the opening period, once again drawing several players into an
altercation and giving Hartford a two-man advantage starting the second period.

In the second period, Hartford took advantage of another power play as Locke scored his second marker of the game just 47-seconds into the middle frame giving the Wolf Pack a 4-2 lead. The Falcons cut their deficit to 4-3 at 3:08 of the second period when Chris Armstrong scored on the man advantage, but Hartford regained a two-goal advantage at 11:12 on the power play when Parenteau scored his second goal of the contest.

The Pack added a pair of third period goals, including Parenteau's third of the game concluding a wild night of scoring.

It was a special teams night at the XL Center as Springfield was 2-9 on the power play, while Hartford was 4-11. The two teams combined for 96 penalty minutes, 50 for Springfield and 46 for Hartford.