Falcons Fall to IceCats, 4-2

February 2, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Worcester, MA – The Springfield Falcons fell to the Worcester IceCats, 4-2, at the DCU Center on Wednesday evening. Rookie left wing Dennis Packard figured in the scoring of both Springfield markers by posting a goal and an assist. Fellow first-year forward Nick Tarnasky also scored, while Brian Eklund made 31 saves in the Falcons' net. Former Hobey Baker Award winner Peter Sejna collected a goal and an assist for the IceCats.

Worcester opened scoring on a goal by right wing Jeff Hoggan 3:41 into the game. The goal was the eighth of the season for Hoggan, who was making his return to the IceCats' lineup after missing 30 games with an injury.

Tarnasky responded for the Falcons 4:02 later with his fifth marker. The 20-year-old carried the puck along the left wing into the Worcester zone and beat goaltender Curtis Sanford with a shot from near the face-off dot.

Back-to-back goals by Jon DiSalvatore and Brendan Brooks provided the ‘Cats with a 3-1 lead midway through the second period. DiSalvatore scored an unassisted shorthanded goal at the 5:27 mark. Brooks followed at 10:06 with his 12th tally after receiving a cross-ice pass from Sejna.

Packard posted his second point of the game and pulled the Falcons to within a goal by scoring on the power play with 5:47 remaining in the frame. Right wing Darren Reid moved the puck across the crease to set up Packard, who was positioned off the right post.

However, Worcester potted an insurance goal 5:03 into the final stanza. Sejna converted a centering feed from forward Jay McClement for his 10th goal of the season. Left wing Igor Valeev also assisted on the goal that turned out to be the final tally of the contest.

The Falcons record against the IceCats this season fell to 3-4-0-0 with the defeat.

Springfield scored one goal on eight chances with the man advantage and killed off all six of Worcester's opportunities.

The IceCats held a 34-29 shot advantage in the game.

Falcons defenseman Nikos Tselios assisted on Tarnasky's goal in the first period and has now recorded a point in each of his last three games.

Following their third straight road game, the Falcons will return to the home ice of the Springfield Civic Center on to face the first-place Manchester Monarchs on Friday and the Providence Bruins 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.

For a complete box score of Wednesday's game, please click on the following link: http://www.theahl.com/AHLBoxscores0405/139887.html

Three Stars of the Game:

Peter Sejna – Worcester

Igor Valeev – Worcester

Mike Stuart – Worcester



American Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2005


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