Falcons Defeated by Bruins, 4-2

Published on November 19, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Providence, RI – The Springfield Falcons fell to the Providence Bruins, 4-2, before a crowd of 10,172 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center on Friday night. Falcons goaltender Jamie Storr established a new AHL season-high with 49 saves in the game. Right wing Nikita Alexeev posted a goal and an assist for the Falcons. Springfield forwards Darren Reid also scored.

During a scoreless first period the Falcons' best scoring chances came during their second power play of the game. Forward Ryan Craig hit the post on the redirection of a shot from the point by Andreas Holmqvist. Seconds later Craig Darby found right wing Shane Willis open at the top of the crease by the attempt by Willis was smothered by Bruins netminder Hannu Toivonen.

Providence threatened for the game's first marker near the end of the frame. Storr robbed Andy Hilbert's bid from point-blank range with 1:30 left in the period. Bruins defenseman Jayme Filipowicz hit the crossbar with a shot from the top of the left wing face-off circle a minute later.

Storr temporarily kept the game scoreless in the second period with a sliding post-to-post save that stole a goal from Bruins right wing David Gove at the end of a Providence power play.

However, the Bruins potted the contest's first goal a short time later when former Falcons defenseman Chris Dyment floated a wrist shot from the right point through traffic that found its way past a screened Storr. The tally, which came at the 7:44 mark if the middle frame, was Dyment's first since Nov. 28, 2003 when he scored an unassisted goal for the Houston Aeros.

The Falcons responded 1:15 later when Alexeev sent a pass through the slot that Reid buried from the bottom of the left wing face-off circle for his second goal of the season.

Center Keith Aucoin provided Providence a 2-1 lead with 6:43 remaining in the period. The Waltham, Mass. native put back a rebound with backhand during a scramble in front of the Springfield net for the goal.

The Falcons nearly tied the game seven minutes into the third period when Darby skated behind the Bruins' net before centering a pass to Willis in the low slot, but the forward's wrist shot hit Toivonen in the mask.

With 7:57 remaining in regulation, Alexeev knotted the game with a sharp-angled wrist shot near the goal line to the right of the Providence net. Defenseman Brian Chapman and Darby assisted on the marker.

The P-Bruins responded 1:14 later with the eventual game-winning goal. Forward Ben Guite knocked the rebound of his own shot past Storr for his first goal of the campaign.

Providence sealed the game with an empty net goal by Hilbert with 33 seconds remaining. Patrice Bergeron fed Hilbert for the goal from the right boards before the forward shoveled the puck into the empty net.

Storr's 49 saves broke his own AHL season-high of 47 which was shared by his opposing goaltender in the game, Toivonen.

The Falcons lost Reid and defenseman Mike Egener to injuries in the second period. Neither player returned to the game.

The Falcons return to action on Saturday night as the club will challenge the Hartford Wolf Pack at the Springfield Civic Center. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The contest marks the first Springfield meeting of the I-91 rivals this season. The Falcons will also host Jason Spezza and the Binghamton Senators at the Civic Center on Sunday in a 4:05 p.m. match-up. For tickets, please visit the Civic Center box office or call (413) 787-6600 or (800) 639-8602 to order by phone.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 19, 2004


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