Falcons Defeat IceCats to Post Fourth Straight Win
December 26, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
Worcester, Mass. â The Springfield Falcons extended their winning streak to four games as the club upended the Worcester IceCats, 4-1, at the DCU Center on Sunday. The Falcons' "checking" line made up of rookies Andre Deveaux, Nick Tarnasky, and Darren Reid was on the ice for three of the Falcons' four goals in the contest. Deveaux scored twice while Tarnasky registered three assists. Falcons defenseman Marc Busenburg added a goal and an assist. Goaltender Jamie Storr made 35 saves to post his sixth win of the campaign.
After a scoreless first period, the Falcons collected two goals in the second frame as the club outshot the IceCats, 15-10. Deveaux redirected a shot from Reid past IceCats netminder Curtis Sanford to open scoring at the 4:12 mark. The assist was the first of two in the game for Reid.
Deveaux later tipped Busenburg's shot from the right point to make the score 2-0 with 2:28 remaining in the period. The goal marked Deveaux's third tally of the season
Busenburg lifted a shot over the shoulder of Sanford and under the crossbar to increase the Falcons' lead to three at 4:42 of the third period. The goal was the first of the season for Busenburg, who hails from nearby Shrewsbury. The blue liner also recorded his first assist of the campaign in the second period.
In an effort to get back into the game, Worcester head coach Don Granato pulled Sanford for an extra skater on several occasions during the final five minutes of the contest. The âCats capitalized with the extra attacker on the ice when center Jay McClement put back the rebound of a shot from defenseman Aaron MacKenzie with 2:46 remaining to play.
The goal spoiled Storr's bid for the Falcons' first shutout of the season. Storr was making his first appearance in the Springfield net since the first period of the team's game in Providence on Dec. 17. Brian Eklund had started in goal in the Falcons' previous three games.
Springfield sealed the contest when left wing Derek Bekar scored into an empty net with 1:27 remaining. The marker was Bekar's first with the Falcons.
In addition to his two points, Busenburg, who was tied for fourth among AHL defensemen in plus/minus last season, was +4 for the game.
The four-game winning streak is the longest for the Falcons since the 2002-03 season (Jan. 31 to Feb. 8). The run matches the longest Springfield winning streak since the 1997-98 campaign.
The Falcons improved their record against the âCats to 2-3 this season with the win. After suffering lopsided defeats in the first two meetings with Worcester, the Falcons have claimed two of the last three encounters.
Springfield right wing Evgeni Artukhin sat out Sunday's game to complete his 10-game AHL suspension issued for his making contact with an official on Dec. 4 in a game against the Albany River Rats.
The Falcons return to the Springfield Civic Center to face the Providence Bruins at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday. For tickets, visit the Civic Center box office, or call (413) 787-6600 or (800) 639-8602 to order by phone. Tickets can also be ordered online by visiting the Falcons' official web site, www.falconsahl.com.
American Hockey League Stories from December 26, 2004
- Phantoms lose 5-3 in Wilkes-Barre - Adirondack Phantoms
- Ducks one-up Griffins for a change - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Ducks skate past Griffins, 2-1 - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Brown Power Play Goal Sends Monarchs To 23rd Win - Manchester Monarchs
- Bears sink Admirals 5-0, Budaj makes 50 saves - Hershey Bears
- Falcons win as 'Cats dodge shutout - Worcester IceCats
- Falcons Defeat IceCats to Post Fourth Straight Win - Springfield Falcons
- Sound Tigers lose 3-2 at home to Hartford - Bridgeport Islanders
- Kip Miller returns to Griffins - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Bergeron leads Canada to rout - Providence Bruins
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