The Falcons' first 3-0 start in franchise history did not become their first 4-0 start - or their first four-game winning streak in one season since Dec. 23-30, 2006.
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Providence Bruins forward Craig Cunningham, left, celebrates his first period goal over Springfield Falcons goalie Curtis McElhinney in game action at the MassMutual Center.
SPRINGFIELD - One strong line can bolster a hockey team, but rarely can it single-handedly carry one.
Fans of the Springfield Falcons know that all too well, having endured many years of relying on the hot line of the moment.
For whatever reason, the Falcons' only productive offensive unit Saturday was the starting trio of left wing Matt Calvert, center Nick Drazenovic and right wing Tomas Kubalik.
That group scored the Birds' only goal and had most of the team's best chances in a 3-1 loss to the Providence Bruins in American Hockey League action before 3,365 at the MassMutual Center.
"That wasn't a good game for us. The better team won tonight," Falcons coach Brad Larsen said. "Not enough guys were involved. The compete was not there tonight."
The Falcons' first 3-0 start in franchise history did not become their first 4-0 start - or their first four-game winning streak in one season since Dec. 23-30, 2006 - as Garnet Exelby tallied the go-ahead marker for Providence 6 minutes, 31 seconds into the second period.
"We're 3-1 and that's a positive through two weekends," Larsen said. "We've got a lot to work on."
Home ice has been good to the Falcons the last two seasons, so this result is likely an anomaly.
Until Saturday, the Birds had won eight straight games at the Nest, tying a club record established in their first season of 1994-95. Springfield had earned at least one point in its last 12 home tilts (11-0-0-1) and had not lost in regulation at home since Feb. 19, 2012.
"In the first two years (of affiliation with Columbus) we didn't have a lot of wins at home," Calvert said. "That's kind of something you want to pride yourself on. It helps in the standings big-time."
The No. 2 line - the Falcons' hottest with 13 points through three games - of top prospects Jonathan Audy-Marchessault, Cam Atkinson and Ryan Johansen was virtually invisible for most of the contest.
"I thought we played well," said Calvert, who has already played with Kubalik for two seasons and Drazenovic one. "We had our forecheck going, and I think for us three that's the biggest thing. It creates chances."
From the closing minutes of the first period, when they closed the shots-on-goal gap considerably, the Bruins turned the momentum in their favor.
The reward for that hard work was Exelby's go-ahead goal - the first second-period point allowed by Springfield this season. Falcons goalie Curtis McElhinney saved Ryan Spooner's initial bid, but the puck came out to the right faceoff circle, where Exelby wristed a shot past the netminder.
Providence tacked on an insurance goal with 4:52 left in the third, as Maxime Sauve tallied on the power play. The net came off its moorings a split second after the puck crossed the goal line, a ruling that was upheld by video review.
Thanks to a power-play only 35 seconds into the game, Springfield was able to get on the board first. Defenseman John Moore's shot from the right circle deflected off Providence goalie Niklas Svedberg, out to Drazenovic at the right post. Drazenovic popped the loose puck past Svedberg on the short side for a 1-0 lead just 2:26 into the contest.
"That's a good power play. We dodged a bit of a bullet that they only got one in," Providence coach Bruce Cassidy said. "We were able to stick to our game plan better after that."
Providence also took advantage of a rebound for its first goal about three minutes later. Craig Cunningham picked up a Carter Camper rebound, skated a little too far past the post, doubled back and shoveled the puck behind McElhinney for the equalizer.
That goal was the first even-strength tally allowed by the Falcons since their season opener two Saturdays ago.
NOTES: Dating back to the end of last season, the Falcons entered Saturday with a five-game win streak ... This was the first of 10 meetings between the clubs this season. Game No. 2 will take place Friday at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, R.I. ... Former Army and Colorado Avalanche forward Dan Hinote, who now works in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization, was scouting the Falcons along with Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson.
Falcons lose, 3-1
Providence 1 1 1 - 3
FALCONS 1 0 0- 1
First period-1, Springfield, Drazenovic 1 (Moore, Erixon), 2:26 (pp). 2, Providence, Cunningham 2 (Camper, Bourque), 5:24. Penalties-Warsofsky, Pro (hooking), :35; Spooner, Pro (high-sticking), 2:49; Robins, Pro (major-fighting), 9:27; Bass, Spr (major-fighting), 9:27; MacDermid, Pro (roughing), 12:17; Ruth, Spr (tripping), 16:50.
Second period-3, Providence, Exelby 1 (Spooner, Sauve), 6:31. Penalties-Exelby, Pro (interference), :31; Craig, Spr (goaltender interference), 16:18.
Third period-4, Providence, Sauve 2 (Trotman, Krug), 15:08 (pp). Penalties-Joudrey, Spr (high-sticking), 14:42.
Shots on goal-Providence 11-12-7 -30, Springfield 10-12-12 -34; Power plays-Providence 1 for 3; Springfield 1 for 4. Goalies-Providence, Svedberg 2-1-0 (34 shots-33 saves); Springfield, McElhinney 3-1-0 (30-28). T-2:19. A-3,365. Referee-Jean-Philippe Sylvain. Linesmen-Jim Briggs, Luke Galvin.