Falcons Edged in Shootout by Bruins, 2-1

February 12, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, Mass. – The Falcons gained a point in the standings, but lost 2-1 in a shootout to the Providence Bruins at the Springfield Civic Center on Saturday night. Falcons goaltender Jean-Marc Pelletier made 33 saves including several stops of the highlight film variety and was named the game's first star. Left wing Nikita Alexeev scored a game-tying goal in the third period for the Falcons. Defenseman Kevin Dallman tallied for Providence.

Following a scoreless first period, Pelletier maintained the draw with a glove save to stonewall Providence forward Dan LaCouture, who skated in alone from the right wing.

With 5:43 left in the second period, Dallman scored his sixth goal of the season to provide his club a 1-0 lead. The 23-year-old carried the puck into the Falcons' zone along the right boards and released a shot from outside the face-off circle that squeezed between the pads of Pelletier.

Pelletier kept the Falcons within a goal eight minutes into the third period with an amazing save that robbed Andy Hilbert, the AHL's third leading goal scorer, of his 28th marker of the season. Hilbert faced an open net after receiving a pass in the left face-off circle, but had his shot intercepted by a diving Pelletier.

The tremendous save proved to be important when Alexeev lifted a sharp-angled shot from below the right face-off circle over the shoulder of Providence goaltender Hannu Toivonen to knot the game with 6:56 remaining in regulation. The goal was the 11th of the season for Alexeev. The marker ended a shutout streak of 236:45 for Toivonen who had blanked his last three opponents.

The game remained deadlocked through the remainder of the third period and five minutes of overtime.

In the shootout, P-Bruins forwards Patrice Bergeron and Brad Boyes connected while Toivonen prevented any of the four attempts by the Falcons to find the back of the net.

The Falcons finished the game without a goal on six power-play chances, but killed off both opportunities with the man advantage for Providence.

Toivonen made 14 saves as the Bruins outshot Springfield, 34-15, in the contest.

Falcons leading scorer Shane Willis sat out the game with an injury.

With the shootout loss, the Falcons are 3-5-0-1 versus Providence this season including a mark of 2-0-0-1 over the last three match-ups. The division rivals will meet for the last time this season on Feb. 20 in Providence.

The Falcons will continue their current four-game homestand with encounters with the Portland Pirates on Friday and the Hartford Wolf Pack on Saturday. To purchase tickets, visit the Springfield Civic Center box office, call (413) 787-6600 or (800) 639-8602 to order by phone, or log onto www.falconsahl.com to order tickets online.



American Hockey League Stories from February 12, 2005


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