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Falcons Fall in Heartbreaking Fashion

February 21, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, MA - The Springfield Falcons couldn't hold a late lead and dropped a 5-4 decision to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Sunday at the MassMutual Center.

The Phantoms got the early chances thanks to a power play opportunity just 55 seconds into the game. Marek Langhamer stood tall on the sequence as he denied Taylor Leier on the game's first scoring chance. Lehigh Valley opened the scoring at 7:18 as Chris Conner fed Cole Bardreau in the slot, who fired a one-timer past Langhamer. The goal was a power play marker and saw Leier register an assist. The Falcons countered with a power play tally of their own just moments later as Corey Potter unleased a blast from the point that beat Anthony Stolarz. Potter's fifth goal of the season was scored at 14:10 and was assisted by Jordan Szwarz and Dakota Mermis. Springfield pulled ahead by a score of 2-1 late in the period as Greg Carey made a nifty move in front of the net and lifted a puck over Stolarz. Carey's 23rd goal of the season was Springfield's second power play marker and was assisted by Dustin Jeffrey and Alex Grant at the 19:01 mark.

Springfield nearly extended their lead in the opening minutes of the second period on another power play opportunity. Craig Cunningham watched two scoring chances get stonewalled by Stolarz within 30 seconds of each other to keep the score at 2-1 in favor of the Falcons. Springfield pushed through later in the period as Carey back-handed his second goal of the night past Stolarz. Both Cunningham and Jeffrey picked up assists on the goal scored at 10:49. The Phantoms cut the score to 3-2 in the final seconds of the period as Tyrell Goulbourne snapped a shot past Langhamer. The goal, Goulbourne's seventh, was scored at 19:43 and was assisted by Davis Drewiske and Kevin Goumas.

Springfield wasted no time regaining a two-goal lead in the third period as Carey and Cunningham entered the zone on a two-on-one. Carey fed Cunningham, who beat Stolarz glove-side for his 14th of the season. The goal, scored 39 seconds into the frame, saw both Carey and Jeffrey register assists. The back-and-forth action allowed the Phantoms to get the game to a 4-3 score moments later thanks to Adam Comrie's blast from the point. Petr Straka and Conner both notched assists on Comries's third goal of the season scored at 4:38 while on the power play. Lehigh Valley seized the momentum late and tied the game as Phil DeSimone polished off a play in front of the net for his third goal of the season. The Phantoms completed the comeback with just 2.8 seconds remaining as Mark Alt blasted a shot past Langhamer. DeSimone picked up an assist on the tally, his second point of the night. Langhamer made 24 saves in the loss, which put his record at 4-6-1. Stolarz made 34 saves in the win, upping his record to 17-11-4 on the year.

The Falcons will host a pair of home games next weekend, first on Friday night against the Albany Devils followed by a Saturday night game against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Both game will start at 7:00 p.m. at the MassMutual Center. The team will conclude a three-game weekend next Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. in Portland against the Pirates.

Springfield Falcons ticket packages are on sale now. To reserve your seats, call 413-739-GOAL (4625) or visit the team office inside the MassMutual Center Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For all the latest Falcons information and updates, follow the Birds at www.falconsahl.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/falconsahl and on Twitter (@TheFalconsAHL) using #YourTownYourTeam.



American Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2016


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