Falcons edged by Worcester, 2-1
Published on January 30, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
Springfield, MA â Center Jason Jaspers scored late in the third period to pull the Springfield Falcons to within a goal, but the club eventually fell to Worcester IceCats, 2-1, before 3,673 at the Springfield Civic Center on Friday night. Falcons goaltender David LeNeveu, who was presented with his 2004 Canadian AHL All-Star jersey in a pre-game ceremony, stopped 22 of 24 shots while Curtis Sanford made 29 saves in the Worcester net. Forwards Scott Pellerin and Ernie Hartlieb provided the scoring for the IceCats.
The IceCats grabbed a 1-0 lead 9:54 into the game when Pellerin one-timed a pass from linemate Mike Glumac from the top of the left wing face-off circle for his seventh goal of the season.
The Falcons were able to remain within a goal by successfully killing off a two-man disadvantage and a five-minute high sticking major penalty issued to forward Gary Shuchuk to close out the first period.
However, Hartlieb doubled Worcester's lead 4:28 into the second period. Hartlieb, who leads the IceCats in scoring, redirected a shot by Blake Evans past LeNeveu for his 12th goal of the campaign.
The Falcons pressured the âCats in an effort to close the gap in the third period, outshooting the team 14-5 during the frame.
Center Erik Westrum one-timed a shot from the top of the right wing face-off circle in the middle portion of the period, but Sanford was able to slide across the crease to make the save. Springfield's Peter Ferraro fired a slap shot from the right wing off the cross bar a few minutes later.
Springfield finally beat Sanford with 3:09 remaining in the contest when Jaspers tipped a wrist shot from the right point by Westrum under the Worcester goaltender. The goal was Jaspers' fifth of the season.
After LeNeveu vacated the Falcons' net for an extra attacker and Worcester blueliner Aaron MacKenzie was whistled for a holding the stick penalty, Springfield nearly found the equalizer as the puck caromed around the goal crease during the final seconds of the game. The final horn sounded, however, before the Falcons could score.
With the loss, the Falcons record versus Worcester dropped to 3-3-1-1 this season.
Springfield held a 30-24 shot advantage for the contest.
The game marked the return to the Falcons line-up of center Chris Ferraro, who missed 12 games with an injury suffered against the Hartford Wolf Pack on December 31st.
The Falcons return to action on Saturday evening when the club faces the Lowell Lock Monsters at Springfield Civic Center. Game time is 7:35 p.m. To order tickets by phone, please contact the Civic Center box office at (413) 787-6600.
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