Falcons Clip the Monsters in Overtime, 3-2

January 21, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


Springfield, Mass. - Marek Kvapil's overtime tally lifted the Springfield Falcons (16-20-2-4) to a 3-2 victory over the Lowell Lock Monsters (16-21-4-4) at the MassMutual Center on Wednesday night.

The two clubs exchanged tallies in the opening frame. Former Boston University Terrier Dan Cavanaugh scored on one of his two shots on goal in the period, putting the Falcons in front 1-0 at 9:25. Mike Zigomanis, who missed Friday's game nursing an injury, returned in this game and tied it on a two-man advantage with less than four minutes left in the period. His third of the season made it 1-1 and gave him 200 points in his Lock Monsters career, extending his franchise record.

Springfield again took the lead early in the second frame. David Spina, who has three of his six goals this season against the Monsters, made it 2-1 just over a minute into the middle stanza on the power play. The man-advantage was a key in the game, as Lowell responded with their second power play goal of the night to tie it up. Krys Kolanos recorded his fourth tally of the season at 7:36 to tie it, giving him 11 points in nine games since joining the Lock Monsters. Lowell had just two power plays through 40 minutes and scored on both.

G Craig Kowalski was strong throughout the night, though not as busy as his previous three AHL starts, during which he faced an average of 45 shots on goal. He made seven saves in a perfect third period and 27 through sixty minutes. Meanwhile the Monsters penalty killers went to work on four Falcons power plays in the third. A late penalty to the Monsters with just 10 seconds left in regulation carried over into the extra session. And it was during the concluding seconds of that advantage that Springfield cashed in. Marek Kvapil picked up his second point of the night and his ninth goal of the season, chipping in a rebound chance to send the Monsters packing. It was Lowell's third overtime loss in the last eight days.

Monster Memos: The Monsters added D Nick Vukovic before tonight's game. The rookie signed a PTO after playing most of this season with the Florida Everblades in the ECHL... Springfield's 5-2 win on Friday over Norfolk snapped a 13-game winless skid, which was the longest in the AHL this season... Lowell holds a two-point lead over Springfield in the Atlantic Division standings, 40 points to 38 points.

The Lock Monsters head to Harford for Sunday's 4:00 p.m. contest and return home to host the Hartford Wolf Pack on Friday, January 27th. That night is Boy Scouts Night with the Lock Monsters, and the U.S. Army will be in the house collecting donations for care packages. They will also conduct a swearing in ceremony on the ice between periods. Game time is 7:35 p.m. All games home and away can be heard live on 980 WCAP, and viewed through B2 Networks, the official broadband provider of the AHL, with the "Voice of the Lock Monsters" Ryan Johnston. Log on to www.lockmonsters.com to watch or listen online.

Individual tickets start at $10 and are on sale now at the Tsongas Arena box office, which is open from 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:00 - 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Flex Packs and group outings are on sale now; contact the Lock Monsters ticket office at (978) 458-PUCK (7825) for more information.



American Hockey League Stories from January 21, 2006


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