Bass' Overtime Goal Gives Falcons Victory In Game 1
April 28, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
Springfield, Mass. - Cody Bass redirected a Ryan Russell shot into the net from the top of the crease just past the halfway mark of the first sudden-death overtime period on Saturday night at the MassMutual Center, guiding the Springfield Falcons (1-0) to a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over the Manchester Monarchs (0-1) in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
With the victory, Springfield took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series. Game 2 is on Sunday at the MassMutual Center, with the opening face-off set for 4 p.m.
Following a scoreless opening period, Blake Parlett ignited the spirited crowd of 3,705 fans at The Nest by earning a penalty shot, the first in Falcons postseason history. Parlett's backhander sailed over Manchester goaltender Martin Jones at 10:25 of the middle frame, as Springfield claimed a 1-0 lead.
Falcons netminder Curtis McElhinney put together a slew of tremendous stops in the contest to do his best to hold the Monarchs off the scoreboard. McElhinney's stick save on an open bid by Vincent LoVerde in the third period preserved Springfield's lead, but Manchester struck moments later, as Brian O'Neill deflected a Nick Deslauriers shot home at 11:11 to knot the game up, 1-1.
Springfield received a power play in the final two minutes of regulation, and a Jones rob of Boone Jenner with a minute remaining pushed the contest into extra time.
The Falcons, who had not won a game in overtime since Nov. 16, 2011, ended their sudden-death drought on a play started by David Savard and supported by Ryan Russell. With Springfield threatening, Savard knocked down a Manchester clearing attempt, and eventually moved the puck to Russell in the right circle. Russell quickly snapped the puck on net, where Bass was battling for position. Bass, who won a Calder Cup championship with Binghamton in 2011, celebrated his return to postseason action by tipping the shot by Jones at 10:36, and Springfield won, 2-1.
The overtime winner sent the MassMutual Center crowd into a frenzy, with the Falcons netting their first postseason victory on home ice since Apr. 18, 2003, a 3-0 victory over Hamilton.
McElhinney (1-0) made saves on 29 of the 30 shots he faced in over 70 minutes of action. Jones (0-1) allowed two goals on Springfield's 35 attempts.
The Falcons outshot the Monarchs in overtime, 6-2, and on the game, 35-30.
Game 2 of the series will be played on Sunday in Springfield at 4 p.m.
The clubs will head to Manchester for Game 3 on Thursday, May 2 at 7 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Arena. If necessary, Game 4 would be played in Manchester on Saturday, May 4 at 7 p.m.
Should the series go the distance, Springfield would host Game 5 on Sunday, May 5 at 4 p.m.
Below is the Falcons' opening-round schedule:
Game 1 - Saturday, Apr. 27, MassMutual Center, Springfield 2, Manchester 1 (OT)
Game 2 - Sunday, Apr. 28, 4 p.m., MassMutual Center
Game 3 - Thursday, May 2, 7 p.m., Verizon Wireless Arena
Game 4 - Saturday, May 4, 7 p.m., Verizon Wireless Arena (if necessary)
Game 5 - Sunday, May 5, 4 p.m., MassMutual Center (if necessary)
Single-game tickets to watch the Falcons compete in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals are on sale now at the MassMutual Center Box Office, or online at Ticketmaster.com. For information on cost-saving postseason ticket packages, call (413) 739-GOAL (4625).
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