Falcons End Road Skid with 5-3 Win in Portland

April 3, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Portland, ME – The Springfield Falcons scored the game's final four goals en route to a 5-3 victory over the Portland Pirates at Cumberland County Civic Center on Sunday. Defenseman Andreas Holmqvist scored the game-winning goal midway through the third period. Forwards Ryan Craig, J.F. Soucy, Derek Bekar, and Jason Jaspers also tallied for the Falcons. Springfield netminder Jean-Marc Pelletier made 37 saves to post the win. With the victory, the Falcons improved their record to 6-1-1-1 against the Pirates this season and ended a franchise-record 16-game road losing streak.

The Falcons have collected points in their last four games (2-0-2-0) after upending the Pirates twice and pushing each of the Atlantic Division's top two teams, the Manchester Monarchs and Hartford Wolf Pack, to overtime this week.

The Falcons began the third period with a 3-2 deficit, but for the second straight night, Bekar tied the game with a goal in the final frame which, on Sunday, came during a five-minute power play. The man advantage was created by a major penalty for checking from behind called on Portland rookie Jakub Klepis. Springfield defenseman Gerard Dicaire briefly returned to play after receiving the hit, but left the game a short time later.

The Falcons took the lead with 9:18 left in regulation with their second goal of the game on a delayed penalty. Rookie left wing Adam Henrich fed Holmqvist at the front of the net for the game-winner. Henrich as well as Andre Deveaux recorded their second assists of the game on the score.

Jaspers capped scoring for the Falcons with 3:22 left by tipping a blast from near the blue line by Evgeni Artukhin past Portland goaltender Maxime Daigneault.

The Falcons converted one-of-four power play opportunities and killed off both of Portland's man advantages.

The Pirates outshot the Falcons, 40-29, in the game.

The Pirates grabbed an early lead with a pair of goals in the game's opening minute. Right wing Jared Aulin scored on a redirection 28 seconds into the contest. Portland forward Boyd Gordon followed with his 16th goal of the season 19 seconds later.

The Falcons scored during a delayed penalty to make the score 2-1 at the 2:23 mark of the first period. Craig snapped a shot past Daigneault after receiving a pass from Deveaux. Rooke defenseman Doug O'Brien also assisted on the goal – the 24th of the season for Craig.

Pirates right wing Brian Willsie fired a shot from the right wing face-off circle past Pelletier to regain Portland's two-goal lead with 9:19 remaining in the period.

Soucy tallied the only goal of the middle frame by putting a backhand past Daigneault after getting behind Portland defenseman Michel Periard. The goal, which came at 2:38, was the first of the season for Soucy.

Falcons rookie center Nick Tarnasky was issued a game misconduct for a check from behind in the second period.

The Falcons will travel to face the Lowell Lock Monsters in their next game on Wednesday. The Falcons will then return to the Springfield Civic Center to host the Worcester IceCats on Friday and the Manchester Monarchs on Saturday. 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 Sunday's win, please click on the following link: http://www.theahl.com/AHLBoxscores0405/140247.html

Three Stars of the Game:

1. Andreas Holmqvist – Springfield

2. Boyd Gordon – Portland

3. Jean-Francois Soucy - Springfield



American Hockey League Stories from April 3, 2005


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