Despite leading the Eastern Conference the Falcons are taking an alarming number of penalties.
Curtis McElhinney gave up three power-play goals during the first period of Saturday night's AHL game between the Springfield Falcons and Manchester Monarchs.
SPRINGFIELD - Injuries and call-ups are what most American Hockey League teams dread.
The Springfield Falcons still need not worry about call-ups because of the NHL lockout. But they have sure been hit with some key injuries.
Seven players, including inspirational leader Cody Bass and rugged defenseman Greg Amadio are out with injuries. Promising goaltending prospect Allen York has yet to play a game this season.
"Injuries happen this time of year,'' Falcons coach Brad Larsen said. "We've been fortunate that we've some guys who have done a good job when we've put them in there.''
One of those players who has made the most of his opportunity is left wing Sean Collins. He has two goals and four assists in 13 games
The Falcons went into Saturday night's game against the Manchester Monarchs as the leading team in the Eastern Conference. They took a 10-2-1-2 record into the game, which was the first of three meeting between the teams in an eight-day span.
In fact, the Falcons play three of their next four games against the Monarchs and will finish half of the season series during that time.
It was a battle of division leaders. Manchester stands atop the Atlantic Division. The Falcons lead the Northeast Division.
The Falcons were back at the MassMutual Center after a four-game road trip. They went 2-1-1 on the journey.
They did manage one point during Friday's 6-5 overtime loss at Portland. But it was a game the birds would love to forget.
They coughed up a 4-1 lead and allowed a season-high five goals during the second period.
Looking on from the press box on Saturday was Columbus Blue Jackets new Director of Hockey Operations John Davidson. It was his first look at his farmhands.
He could not have been happy with the way the first period went. Manchester scored three power-play goals to take a 3-1 after Ryan Johansen opened the scoring while the Falcons were up a man.
It was a case of the Falcons making the same mistakes over and over. If the team does have an Achilles' heel this season, it's staying out of the penalty box.
The Falcons usually have done an admirable job killing off power plays until the Monarchs stung them with three man-advantage goals in as many opportunities.
Those are the things that drive a coach like Larsen crazy. Larsen has preached discipline and has been a coach who holds his players accountable.
During a shootout loss to Bridgeport, Larsen benched Cam Atkinson and Jonathan Audy-Marchessault for the third period, overtime and shootout.
The move probably cost the Falcons a point, but Larsen wanted to make a point. He certainly got his players attention because the next afternoon, they beat Hartford, 10-2.
This is the most talented team the Falcons have fielded in more than a decade. They are one of the top four defensive teams in the AHL.
Now if they can only find a way to stay out of the penalty box.