Tim Erixon scored two power-play goals in the third period, and Curtis McElhinney made 20 saves for his third shutout of the season.
Curtis McElhinney made 20 saves to blank the Whale for his third shutout in nine starts this season.
SPRINGFIELD - To say this meeting between the Springfield Falcons and Connecticut Whale was not like the last one would be the understatement of the year.
But, for fans of quality American Hockey League action, this was much more exciting.
Only five days after the Falcons' 10-2 win Sunday at the XL Center in Hartford, defense and goaltending ruled the night Friday at the MassMutual Center.
Connecticut goalie Cameron Talbot put the visitors on his back and nearly stole a victory for his team. However, Tim Erixon's prowess at the point on the power play helped the Falcons steal back a 2-0 victory before 5,653 at the MassMutual Center.
Erixon struck from just inside the blue line twice in the third period, with the Falcons (7-1-0-2) on the man advantage, to give his team its sixth straight game of earning at least one point.
"I loved the effort. I thought our energy was great, and obviously special teams played an important role in the end of the game," Falcons coach Brad Larsen said. "I just liked our compete right from the start."
Springfield's Curtis McElhinney was not to be outdone by Talbot's valiant 37-save effort. The veteran goalkeeper preserved the lead by making at least three quality saves during a 5-on-3 penalty kill in the third, and he finished with 20 saves for his third shutout of the season.
McElhinney (7-1-1) was quick to credit the defense in front of him for a successful penalty kill.
"Everybody did a great job. They boxed it in pretty close," McElhinney said. "It makes things a lot easier (for me) when it's congested down there."
With the Falcons carrying 90 seconds of power-play time into the third period, it didn't take long for them to finally break through.
After a pair of close-range attempts trickled out of the crease, the puck went back to Erixon at the blue line. The defenseman took a blast from just inside the line, which slipped past Talbot for the tally.
Until that point, Talbot (3-2-0) appeared to be on the way to his fourth win of the season. He stopped all 27 shots he faced through two periods before Erixon struck on the first shot of the third.
Erixon gave the Birds some breathing room with 6:05 remaining, scoring in a similar situation on a 5-on-3 power-play. Another blast from just inside the blue line put the game out of reach, giving Erixon three goals in two games against his former team.
"I've improved my shot," said Erixon, who has already matched his goal total in 52 games last season with the Whale.
Talbot made perhaps the save of the game with about four minutes left in the second period. Springfield's Ryan Johansen tipped a Tomas Kubalik centering pass in Talbot's direction, but the 25-year-old backstop from Caledonia, Ont., was up to the challenge.
On the other end, McElhinney stepped up to stymie a breakaway chance by former Falcon Chad Kolarik with 35 seconds left in the stanza. A few seconds later, Connecticut's Tommy Grant picked up a holding penalty prior to fighting Springfield's Ryan Craig.
"It's nice to come out there with a power play and take advantage of it," McElhinney said.
The Falcons wore patriotic alternate jerseys on "Hometown Heroes Night." A large contingent of law enforcement officers, firefighters and military personnel were in attendance, including the family of slain Springfield police officer Kevin Ambrose.
Falcons win, 2-0
Connecticut 0 0 0 - 0
FALCONS 0 0 2- 2
First period-No scoring. Penalties-Kolarik, Con (roughing), 2:23; Johansen, Spr (roughing), 2:35; Audy-Marchessault, Spr (slashing), 5:17; Collins, Con (slashing), 9:45; Vernace, Con (hooking), 12:19; bench, Con (too many men on ice, served by Grant), 17:18.
Second period-No scoring. Penalties-Erixon, Spr (tripping), 4:03; Erixon, Spr (interference), 10:19; Grant, Con (holding, major-fighting), 19:29; Craig, Spr (major-fighting), 19:29.
Third period-1, Springfield, Erixon 2 (Audy-Marchessault, Kubalik), 1:03 (pp). 2, Springfield, Erixon 3 (Drazenovic, Atkinson), 13:55 (pp). Penalties-Newbury, Con (boarding), 1:21; Joudrey, Spr (slashing), 6:08; Savard, Spr (tripping), 6:51; Haley, Con (interference), 7:35; Moore, Spr (slashing), 9:13; Vernace, Con (slashing), 10:32; bench, Spr (too many men on ice, served by Kubalik), 11:22; bench, Con (unsportsmanlike conduct, served by Thomas), 12:15; Newbury, Con (game misconduct-abuse of officials), 12:15; Vernace, Con (delay of game), 16:56; Klassen, Con (high sticking), 18:36; Niemi, Con (major-fighting), 19:51; Kubalik, Spr (major-fighting), 19:51.
Shots on goal-Connecticut 7-6-7 -20, Springfield 18-9-12 -39; Power plays-Connecticut 0 for 7; Springfield 2 for 11. Goalies-Connecticut, Talbot 3-2-0 (39 shots-37 saves); Springfield, McElhinney 7-1-1 (20-20). T-2:31. A-5,653. Referees-Chris Cozzan, T.J. Luxmore. Linesmen-Brent Colby, Frank Murphy.