Falcons Down Pirates, 5-2

Published on March 30, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, Mass. – The Springfield Falcons received goals from five different players – including three rookies – in a 5-2 win over the Portland Pirates at the Springfield Civic Center on Wednesday evening. First-year pros Doug O'Brien, Adam Henrich, and Andre Deveaux each tallied as did the more-experienced Jason Jaspers and Evgeni Artukhin. Henrich and Artukhin also recorded assists in the win.

The Falcons scored a pair of goals in the opening 6:36 of the game to leap out front, 2-0. O'Brien netted his fourth goal of the season with a wrist shot from the high slot at the 2:41 mark. Forward Ryan Craig and defenseman Marc Busenburg collected assists on the tally while Artukhin also contributed by positioning himself at the top of the crease to screen goaltender Justin Eddy.

Henrich followed with his eighth marker by tapping the puck across the goal line from near the left post. Rookie forward Dennis Packard carried the puck out from behind the Portland net before sliding the puck across the crease to Henrich.

The Pirates got on the board 4:26 into the second period with a power-play goal. Right wing Boyd Gordon snapped a shot into the top corner from between the face-off circles. Linemate Brian Sutherby set Gordon up with a pass as the Falcons found themselves outnumbered in front of their net.

Jean-Marc Pelletier replaced Brian Eklund in the Springfield net with 7:03 left in the middle frame after Eklund was struck in the mask with a hard shot by Portland leading-scorer Trent Whitfield and was cut on the side of his head. Eklund watched the final period of the game from the team's bench. He stopped 10 of 11 shots in the contest.

Springfield made the score 3-1 at the 14:00 mark of the second period when Jaspers powered the rebound of a shot by Gerard Dicaire past Eddy. The goal was Jaspers' seventh of the season. Defenseman Gerard Dicaire and Artukhin collected helpers.

Artukhin swept a quick wrist shot past Eddy from the right circle upon receiving a pass from center Craig Darby to finish an odd-man rush 3:02 into the third period. The goal, which came with the man advantage, was Artukhin's eighth of the season and snapped a skid of 24 scoreless power plays for the Falcons.

Portland rookie Jakub Klepis scored with 8:21 left to play after collecting a loose puck in front of the Falcons' net to make the score 4-2.

However, Deveaux sealed the game for the Falcons by knocking in the puck from the edge of the crease with 3:38 remaining. Left wing Jean-Francois Soucy and Henrich registered assists on the goal – Deveaux's fourth of the season.

Pelletier turned aside eight of the nine shots he faced. Eddy made 17 saves in the Pirates' net.

The Falcons improved their record for the season against Portland to 5-1-1-1 with the victory. It was the last match-up of the campaign between the teams in Springfield. The Falcons finished the home portion of the season series with a 4-0-0-1 mark versus the Pirates.

The five goals was the highest output by the team since the Falcons defeated the Pirates, 6-5 in overtime, on November 5 at the Civic Center. Henrich scored the game-winner in the extra session for Springfield in the win.

The Falcons return to the home ice of the Civic Center to face the Hartford Wolf Pack on Friday. Game time is 7:35 p.m. For tickets, visit the Springfield Civic Center box office or call (413) 787-6600 or (800) 639-8602. To order online, visit the Falcons' official web site, www.falconsahl.com.

For a complete box score of Wednesday's win, please click on the following link: http://www.theahl.com/AHLBoxscores0405/140036.html

Three Stars of the Game:

1. Evgeni Artukhin – Springfield

2. Adam Henrich – Springfield

3. Jason Jaspers - Springfield

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American Hockey League Stories from March 30, 2005


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