The Springfield Falcons were hoping to end a six-game winless streak against the Manchester Monarchs.
Veteran Ryan Russell has been one of the Springfield Falcons' most consistent goal-scorers.
SPRINGFIELD - As the
Springfield Falcons prepare
for the home
stretch of the
American Hockey League
season, ending their six-game
winless streak weighs
heavy on the minds of their
players.
Yet they know this is no time to push the panic   button.
The Falcons, who played host to the Manchester Monarchs Wednesday night at the MassMutual Center, are desperate to get back on track.
"We've got to find a way to get out of this,'' coach Brad Larsen said. "There's no magic formula - it's going to take all four lines, all six defensemen and good goaltending.''
The Falcons have won each of their last two games against the Monarchs, with Jonathan Audy-Marchessault getting his first-career hat trick in the most recent meeting on Jan. 15 in Manchester, N.H. . The road team has been victorious in all five games between the two teams this season.
The Falcons are still thin because of call-ups, injuries and a suspension to a key player. Defenseman Cody Goloubef has been suspended for two games as a consequence of an illegal check to the head of an opponent in a game against Providence last Saturday.
Goloubef will also miss Friday's game
against Worcester.
"Our guys have responded well all season,'' Larsen said. "We need to be more consistent.''
The Falcons will look to their veteran players to step up.
One of them, Ryan Russell , owns a season-high, three-game point streak (2 goals, 1 assist). After posting six points (4 goals,, 2 assists) in the first five months of the season, Russell doubled his production during March.
Lack of scoring has hurt during the recent slide.
" These guys have been a lot of hard work this year and they know how to win,'' Larsen said. "It's going to take everyone giving a little bit more.''
Players like Nathan Moon, an ECHL call-up, have helped.
"I just came in here and have tried to work hard,'' Moon said. "I'll do whatever I can to help the team.''
The Falcons don't expect help any time soon from the parent Columbus Blue Jackets , who are suddenly in a race for an NHL playoff spot.
That's why players from both the professional and junior hockey ranks have been brought in.
FALCON FABLES:
in the AHL in team defense, allowing 2.46 goals
per game. Springfield permitted more than four goals in a game for only the fifth time this season on Saturday in its 5-2 loss to Providence . .. Nick Drazenovic
leads the AHL with 26 power-play points . .. Nick Holden 's
plus-17 rating is the highest among Falcon skaters.