Falcons Fall in Overtime to Streaking Monarchs, 4-3

November 27, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, Mass. – The Springfield Falcons threatened to end the Manchester Monarchs' winning streak at nine, but fell in overtime to the AHL-leading club, 4-3, at the Springfield Civic Center on Saturday night. Center Ryan Craig scored twice and defenseman Harlan Pratt notched his first goal of the season for the Falcons. Rookie Matt Ryan scored the overtime game-winner for Manchester. The Monarchs improved their record to 17-1-0-0 with the win.

After trailing 1-0 at the end of the first period, the Falcons used three unanswered goals in the second frame to turnaround the deficit.

A goal by Pratt during four-on-four play 7:17 into the middle period knotted the game, 1-1. Springfield rookie Nick Tarnasky led a three-on-one rush before feeding Pratt from the right wing. The blue liner one-timed a shot from between the circles past Monarchs goaltender Adam Hauser.

Craig followed to put Springfield in front 4:56 later. The 22-year-old center skated to the front of the net to redirect a pass out of the corner from Jean-Francois Soucy.

The Falcons capitalized on a fortunate bounce as Craig scored again with 3:15 remaining in the period to make the score 3-1. During a power play, Falcons defenseman Andreas Holmqvist attempted to dump the puck behind the net from the right point. However, the puck hit a stanchion in the corner and caromed toward the goal crease. Craig collected the puck near the right post and whirled around to put the puck between Hauser's skates.

Falcons netminder Jamie Storr made several sparkling stops to protect the Springfield lead including a glove save to rob Dan Welch's bid for the top corner midway through the second period and a pad save on a point-blank chance by center Michael Cammalleri during a Monarchs power play in the final stanza.

However, Cammalleri found the back of the net when he blasted a shot from the slot to cut the Falcons advantage to one with 8:48 remaining in regulation. Forward Dustin Brown set up the goal with a pass from the left wing while former Falcon Chris Schmidt also assisted. Cammalleri stretched his point streak to 14 games – the longest in the AHL this season – with the goal.

Brown tied the contest, 3-3, just 2:14 later with a wrist shot from near the right face-off dot. Traffic in front of the Falcons' net appeared to screen Storr on the play.

Ryan ended the game with his fourth goal of the season 2:28 into overtime. Manchester forward Jeff Giuliano carried the puck along the left boards into the Springfield zone before dropping a pass to an oncoming Ryan. Ryan took a couple strides toward the middle of the ice and snapped a low wrist shot between the pads of Storr from the high slot.

The Falcons converted one of their five power plays in the game and killed off all four Manchester opportunities with an extra man. The Monarchs entered the game with the AHL's top power play (22.7%).

The Falcons outshot Manchester in the game, 38-31. Storr made 27 saves while Hauser turned aside 35 Springfield attempts.

Manchester's Noah Clarke was credited with the game's opening goal when linemate Yannick Lehoux banked a shot from the right-wing circle off the second-year winger and into the net. The helper extended Lehoux's assist streak to six and his point streak to eight.

The Falcons host back-to-back home games next weekend as the club faces the Portland Pirates on Friday and the Albany River Rats on Saturday. For tickets, visit the Civic Center box office or call (413) 787-6600 or (800) 639-8602 to order by phone. Tickets can also be ordered online by visiting the Falcons' official web site, www.falconsahl.com.



American Hockey League Stories from November 27, 2004


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