Falcons Earn Point In Overtime Loss

Published on December 6, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


The Falcons fell to 0-5-1-1 in their last seven games after a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime loss to the Adirondack Phantoms in a Sunday matinee. The Falcons made a valiant comeback to tie the game up in the third after being down 2-0 earlier in the game and down 2-1 with less than four minutes left in the game.

"It's disheartening," said Falcons Defenseman Chris Armstrong on the loss, "We've been struggling a lot the last three of four games. I don't think there's been any quit in the team. I think it's the point in the season where everybody will have their ups and downs and we need to find a way to battle through."

Springfield down 2-1 with four minutes left had one last rally in them. After Adirondack's Marc-Andre Bourdon received a penalty for delay of game for closing the hand on the puck. This gave the Falcons a great opportunity to take advantage of one final power play. Springfield has been a resilient team this entire season thus far and tonight was no different as Armstrong tied the game up at 16:49 with his second goal of the year. Armstrong was set up nicely with an assist by Chad Wiseman and Charles Linglet.

It looked like maybe this game was going to go the Falcons way with the game heading into overtime and the momentum on Springfield's side. During the five-minute overtime, Falcons goalie Andrew Perugini played stellar in net making save after save. Perugini ended the game making 31 of 34 saves. The overtime continued with each team coming up short on the offensive end, until Adirondack scored thanks to Danny Syvret's first goal of the season coming with 1.6 seconds left in overtime. Syvret was assisted nicely by Bourdon and Jason Ward. The Falcons can not seem to get a break in these last few games.

"When you got a losing streak like this you always worry about [the team's] mood," said Springfield Head Coach Rob Daum, "But I don't think its turned so I'm not concerned about it. Whenever you go through a stretch like this you measure the character of your team...and that's what we face now."

In six of the last seven games Springfield has fallen behind early in the game leading to the team playing from behind for most of the games. Give the Falcons credit, they did rally to make the games competitive, but it is never easy to win when you start the game off on the wrong foot.

"I don't think there's an explanation for it...," said Coach Daum on the team's recent slow starts in games, "But we are going to make a couple changes to our routine just to change things up a little bit without getting into panic mode."

The Falcons and Phantoms played an evenly matched first 19 minutes of the game, but Adirondack was able to steal a goal late in the first period on Stefan Legein ninth goal of the season.

During the first 12 minutes of the opening period, it looked like it was going to be a slow-paced game, but the speed of the game increased in the final eight minutes of the period. Springfield did outshoot the Phantoms in the period 10-9, but failed to convert on their two power play chances in the stanza.

During a second period of missed chances for both teams, Adirondack came away leading at the end of two with a 2-1 lead. The first goal of the second period came at 18:10 with Adirondack's Krys Kolanos wrap around power play goal to give the Phantoms a 2-0 lead with less than two minutes left in the second period. However, Springfield answered quickly with a much needed goal by Wiseman at 19:43 to cut the Phantoms lead in half.

Early in the second, Adirondack had a power play opportunity, but the closest the puck came to scoring was off Falcons Liam Reddox's stick on a breakaway. Reddox chased down the puck and took a quality shot but was denied by Phantoms goalie Nic Riopel.

Later in the period, the Falcons had a power play of their own and this time it was Adirondack's turn to have a shorthanded breakaway chance. The Phantoms had an early 2 on 1 break, however Perugini came up with an impressive highlight reel save. Then during the same Falcons power play, Adirondack's Ward took the puck from Linglet and had an open breakaway. Fortunately for the Falcons, Perugini was once again up to the challenge.

Springfield had another high-quality opportunity to score after Colin McDonald made a beautiful setup pass to Ryan O'Marra, but Riopel made the save to maintain the Phantoms one goal lead.

Springfield had a three power play chances, including a brief two man advantage, in the second period, but failed to convert on any of them. The Falcons ended the second period 0-5 on power play.

The Falcons will have a full week of practice to prepare for their next game this Friday, December 11 at home against Bridgeport. Springfield will look to turn things around against the Sound Tigers.

"I don't think it's a time for panic now," said Armstrong, "But there desperately needs a sense of urgency. We need to come in prepared to work next week and get ready for next weekend because next weekend is going to be more difficult than this weekend."

Game Notes The official attendance in this afternoon's game was 2,102...Ryan O'Marra played for the Falcons for the first time since being called up by the Edmonton Oilers on November 26...Johan Motin wore a full facemask in today's game after taking a puck to the facial region during last night's game in Bridgeport...The Phantoms outshot the Falcons 34-33 in the game...The Phantoms swept the season series with the Falcons this year winning both contests.

Three Stars of Game

1st Star- Danny Syvret (GW Goal and 1 A) - ADK

2nd Star- Chad Wiseman (1 G, 1 A) - SPR

3rd Star- Stefan Legein (1 G) - ADK

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from December 6, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central