Falcons end preseason on a high

The intensity level on the ice Saturday night was high as the Falcons defeated the Providence Bruins 5-1 at the MassMutual Center.

Leading the way for the Falcons were goaltenders Andrew Perugini and Bryan Pitton combining for 25 saves on 26 shots.

“I think both of them played well,” said Falcons Head Coach Rob Daum. “Perugini especially in the first half, I thought he was solid obviously didn’t give up any goals and Pitton came in the second half and played stellar as well.”

Despite being outshot 10 to 4 in the first period, the Falcons had a 1-0 lead heading into the second period over the Bruins. At the 19:34 mark in the first period, forward Slava Trukhno found the back of the net on a power play goal assisted by defenseman Chris Armstrong.

The difference in the period was the ability of the Falcons to capitalize on their power play opportunities going 1-2, while Providence was unable to take advantage of the extra man on the ice going 0-3 in power play situations.

“That was the key,” Coach Daum said about the Falcons power play defense early in the game. “If you look at the game the other night in Marlborough that they won, they scored three power play goals and capitalized early on their power plays. Tonight they had their chances on the power play, but we were able to kill them off and that was probably the difference in the game.”

The Springfield power play defense played impressively in the first period not allowing a goal on three Bruins power plays. Manning the net for the Falcons in the first was Perugini, recording 10 of his 12 saves on the night.

The Falcons added to their lead in the second period with another power play goal making it 2-0. This time Charles Linglet scored at the 14:24 mark in the second. Again assisting on the play was Armstrong.

In the third period, Linglet scored his second goal of the game making it a 3-0 lead at the 12:56 mark. Earning the assist was Trukhno.

“I felt great,” said Linglet about his play tonight. “I felt better than yesterday and built some confidence during the preseason. I’ve been on two good lines the past few games and it worked out pretty well so far.”

The Bruins were able to get on the scoreboard in the third with a goal by Jamie Arniel cutting the lead to 3-1. Shortly after that goal, the Falcons answered with two goals by Geoff Paukovich and Trukhno to make it 5-1. Trukhno ended the game with three points, two goals and one assist. Armstrong added three assists in the Springfield win.

At the end of the second period, Falcons forward Marc Rechlicz was penalized on a boarding call. This was just one of the hard hits seen throughout the game.

Both preseason games between the Falcons and Bruins have been hard fought games with each team getting a win. The next time these two meet will be on Sunday, October 4 in Providence.

FALCONS MAKE SOME CUTS

Earlier today, the Falcons cut six players from the roster: Jesse Dudas (D), R.J. Anderson (D), Jeff Lee (LW), Dinos Stamoulis (D), Jamie Bates (RW), and Jordan Bendfeld (D). Bates and Bendfeld have been assigned to the Falcons’ ECHL affiliate team, the Stockton Thunder.