Bears Rally Past Falcons, 2-1

Published on November 24, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Hershey, Penn. – The Springfield Falcons carried a lead into the third period, but eventually fell to the Hershey Bears, 2-1, before a crowd of 7,178 at the Giant Center on Wednesday night. Right wing Shane Willis scored the lone Falcons' goal in the first frame. Center Martin Hlinka tallied the game-winning marker for Hershey with 5:39 remaining in regulation.

The Falcons opened scoring 4:14 into the game when Willis posted his seventh goal of the season. The right winger kept the puck on a two-on-one rush with defenseman Nikos Tselios, who was skating in his first game since being reacquired by the Falcons on Monday, before sliding a shot past Bears goaltender Tom Lawson. Tselios had just exited the penalty box before joining Willis on the break. Forward Ryan Craig was credited with the sole assist on the marker.

Hershey received a good opportunity to even the game when Falcons right wing Evgeni Artukhin was issued a five-minute major penalty for boarding on a hit from behind on Bears forward Jeff Ulmer midway through the second period. However, Springfield penalty killers were able to continuously gain control and ice the puck to hold off the Bears. Artukhin also received a game misconduct for the check.

The Bears connected for the equalizer at the 9:27 mark of the third period when Chris Bala's shot from the wing bounced into the net after hitting the glove of Falcons goaltender Jamie Storr. The goal was Bala's third of the season.

Hlinka buried the rebound of a shot from Greg Barber for the game-winner 4:54 later.

Storr finished the game with 34 saves on 36 shots. Bears goaltender Tom Lawson stopped 23 of 24 Springfield shots.

The Falcons held the Bears scoreless on their six power-play chances, but were unable to convert either of their two man advantage opportunities.

Several Falcons players were making a return to Hershey after playing for the Bears last season including Willis, Craig, Artukhin, Nikita Alexeev, and Jean-Francois Soucy. Former Bears Marc Busenburg and Darren Rumble did not make the road trip from Springfield.

The Falcons will visit the Albany River Rats on Friday in their third straight game against an East Division opponent. The club will return to the home ice of the Springfield Civic Center on Saturday to take on the Manchester Monarchs, owners of the AHL's best record. For tickets, please visit the Civic Center box office or call (413) 787-6600 or (800) 639-8602 to order by phone.

For a complete box score of the game, please click on the following link: http://www.theahl.com/AHLBoxscores0405/139463.html

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American Hockey League Stories from November 24, 2004


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