Falcons Down Portland to Win Third Straight

Published on December 23, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Portland, ME – For the fifth time in five meetings between the Springfield Falcons and the Portland Pirates this season, the Atlantic Division rivals had to skate extra time to decide a winner. On Thursday evening, the Falcons prevailed 3-2 in a shootout at the Cumberland County Civic Center to notch their third straight win. Defenseman Brian Chapman and rookie Adam Henrich scored in regulation for Springfield while Nikita Alexeev's shootout goal was the difference in the game. Goaltender Brian Eklund stopped 27 of 29 shots to improve his record on the season to 5-4-0.

Henrich's blast during a third-period power play tied the game at two goals apiece with 6:41 remaining in regulation. The first-year forward ranks third on the Falcons with six goals this season.

The Falcons nearly won the game in regulation when right wing Shane Willis and defenseman Paul Ranger had point-blank chances in the closing seconds, but were denied by Pirates netminder Maxime Ouellet.

After a scoreless overtime period, Springfield's Craig Darby and Portland's Brian Willsie each connected during the opening five rounds of the shootout. Alexeev became the next player to tally during the shootout to provide the Falcons the win in the eighth round. Alexeev, who failed to score on his first attempt earlier in the shootout, is now three-for-four on shootout tries this season.

The Falcons recorded a season-high 47 shots on goal during regulation and overtime. The club had just established a season high of 42 shots in their previous game on Sunday, another 3-2 shootout win, at Lowell.

Springfield converted two-of-six power plays in the game while killing off all three of Portland's opportunities.

Portland opened scoring 3:16 into the game when center Brian Sutherby collected a loose rebound to net his sixth goal of the season. Willsie and defenseman Chris Hajt collected assists on the goal.

Chapman evened the contest 2:50 into the middle period during a Springfield man advantage with his second marker of the campaign. The blue liner also assisted on Henrich's goal to post his first multi-point game this season.

However, center Jason Ulmer shot past a scrambling Eklund to regain the Pirates' lead just 1:03 later.

After the Falcons tied the game, 2-2, in the third period, defenseman Nikos Tselios made a diving play to knock the puck away from Sutherby as the forward was set to break in alone on Eklund.

The Falcons three-game winning streak is the longest of the season for the club.

After enjoying the Christmas holiday, the Falcons will visit the Worcester IceCats at the DCU Center on Sunday. Game time is 4:05 p.m. Tune into The ZONE – Sports Radio 640 or click on the MassLive.com CyberCast link on the Falcons' official web site, www.falconsahl.com, to hear the live play-by-play action. The Falcons' next home game is Dec. 30 when the Providence Bruins make their first trip of the season to Springfield. To purchase 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.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 23, 2004


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