Falcons Take 1-0 Series Lead With Win in OT Thriller

SPRINGFIELD -- After waiting ten years for playoff hockey to return to Springfield, the Falcons did not disappoint. The Falcons took game one of the Calder Cup Eastern Conference quarterfinal playoffs 2-1 Saturday night in an overtime thriller.

Falcons players celebrate the win

Blake Parlett, who came to Springfield from the Rangers organization in the Marian Gaborik trade, got the scoring started in the second back handing a penalty shot in following a break way after serving a penalty for holding.

Springfield held the lead until midway though the third when Manchester’s Brian O’Neil tipped the puck underneath Curtis McElhinney to tie the game.

The Falcons would have their chances, moving the puck well and controlling the puck for the majority left in regulation, but at the end of three periods the teams remained tied.

In overtime the Falcons again showed great intensity, putting the pressure on Manchester. Then at 10:36 though the period Cody Bass, the former Calder Cup Champion with Binghamton scored to give Springfield it’s first playoff victory in ten years.

“Typical Cody Bass goal, going to the net and he got a stick on it” said coach Brad Larsen after game, “It’s great that he scored that goal, he’s had a tough year with some injuries, he’s emotionally vested in every games he plays, he doesn’t know any other way”

Bass, one of four players on the Falcons roster to have one a Calder Cup Championship, knows what it takes to win in the playoffs.

“We knew Manchester wasn’t going to be a light team to play, it’s playoff hockey and anything can happen…We have what it takes to do it, we have great leadership in the room”.

With the win the Falcons take a 1-0 lead in the best of five series, they take to the ice again Sunday afternoon hoping to take a commanding 2-0 lead.