Falcons and Pirates skate to 1-1 tie

Published on March 26, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, MA – Goran Bezina scored early in the third period as the Springfield Falcons tied the Portland Pirates, 1-1, before 4,147 at the Springfield Civic Center on Friday evening. Falcons goaltender Jean-Marc Pelletier turned aside 29 of 30 shots in the deadlock. Rastislav Stana made 31 saves in the Pirates net while left wing Mike Vigilante scored the lone goal for the club.

Bezina flicked a shot from the inside hash mark of the right face-off circle past Stana at 3:17 of the final frame. The goal was Bezina's 10th of the season to match his professional career high. Center Chris Ferraro assisted on the tally.

Following Bezina's goal, Pelletier stopped point blank chances by Portland forwards Owen Fussey and Jared Aulin to keep the contest even.

The Falcons received a chance to net the game-winner when a major penalty for high sticking was issued to Pirates defenseman Dwayne Zinger with 4:13 remaining in regulation. When the Falcons did not score during the remainder of the third period, Falcons head coach Marty McSorley pulled Pelletier from the Springfield net shortly after the face-off of the overtime session. Pelletier returned to the crease during a stoppage in play with a few seconds left on the power play.

The Pirates opened scoring during their first power play to grab an early lead 2:26 into the contest. Vigilante put a backhand past Pelletier after collecting the rebound of a shot by blueliner Mike Pudlick in his skate.

Springfield twice had calls go against them in which the team argued that goals should have counted. However, referee Dave Hansen ruled that bids by Jason Jaspers in the second period and Gary Shuchuk in the third period did not cross the goal line prior to the whistle.

The Falcons outshot Portland, 32-30, in the game.

Springfield is now 2-4-3-0 versus the Pirates this season. The clubs will meet for the tenth and final time this season on April 11th, the final day of the AHL regular season, in Portland.

With the Friday evening's tie, the Falcons were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

The Lowell Lock Monsters edged the Providence Bruins, 2-1 in overtime, on Friday night to increase their lead over Portland to five points in the race for the fifth and final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. Each club has eight games remaining on their regular season schedules.

The Falcons return to action on Saturday evening to face the Providence Bruins on the home ice of the Civic Center. Game time is 7:35 p.m. To order tickets by phone, please call the Civic Center box office at (413) 787-6600 or (800) 639-8602.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 26, 2004


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