Falcons Grant Themselves Two Points

February 16, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, MA - The Springfield Falcons rallied back multiple times on Tuesday night to defeat the Bridgeport Sound Tigers by a score of 4-3 in a shootout at the MassMutual Center.

The Falcons' penalty killing unit was tested just 1:16 into the game as Steven Delisle sat for tripping. Marek Langhamer made numerous stops on the Sound Tigers during the kill, keeping the game at a scoreless tie. Bridgeport would eventually open the scoring as Mike Halmo deflected a Scott Mayfield shot past Langhamer for his eleventh goal of the season. James Wright would pick up his thirteenth assist on the goal scored at 11:00 of the opening period.

Langhamer came up large for the Falcons in the middle frame, making a few big time saves to keep Springfield within a goal. Alan Quine fired a one-timer from the right circle but Langhamer extended his pad to kick the scoring attempt away. Later in the frame, Langhamer flashed the leather stopping a Taylor Beck one-timer with a beautiful glove save. Things between the clubs heated up in the final few minutes of the second period as Phil Lane and Ben Holmstrom dropped the mitts in the Sound Tigers zone for a spirited fight that ignited some physical play.

Bridgeport's 1-0 lead at the start of the third period would not last very long as the Falcons tied the game up just 1:04 into the period. Steven Delisle found Dustin Jeffrey in the offensive zone to start the play. Jeffrey would quickly pass to Craig Cunningham who rifled a shot off the post and into the net for his twelfth goal of the season. The Sound Tigers struck right back as Ryan Pulock centered a pass to Bracken Kearns in the slot. Kearns fired the puck past Langhamer for his nineteenth of the season at the 2:45 mark. Kane Lafranchise would also add an assist on the goal that gave Bridgeport a 2-1 lead. Springfield again battled back as moments later Eric Selleck would again tie the game as he banged a rebound past Christopher Gibson. The goal, scored at 7:42, was Selleck's ninth of the season and was assisted by Stefan Fournier and Philip Samuelsson. The seesaw of action again tipped over to the Sound Tigers as Halmo deposited a rebound for his second goal of the night. The 3-2 tally, scored at 14:02, was assisted by Quine. Another counter attack would see the Falcons knot this game at 3-3 as Jordan Szwarz tapped-in a centering pass from Steve Downie. Michael Bunting registered his first assist of the night on the goal scored at 17:09 of the third period.

The action continued into the overtime frame as the Falcons nearly ended things just moments into it. Cunningham fired a shot from the point that was stopped by Gibson, but a rebound sprung free creating a free-for-all in front of the Sound Tigers net before Gibson corralled the rebound. Madness then ensured in the final minute as Mayfield and Kearns entered the zone on a breakaway. Kearns was denied by Langhamer who sprung a counter attack for the Falcons. On a breakaway, Dustin Jeffrey was denied by Gibson to ensure the sides headed to a shootout. In the shootout, Alex Grant scored for the Falcons while Langhamer stopped all three Sound Tigers shooters to give the Falcons their first win in the shootout this season. Marek Langhamer made 26 saves including three in the shootout for the win, which improved his record to 4-4-1 on the year. Gibson, meanwhile, made 29 saves including one in the shootout in the losing effort to see his record fall to 14-8-5 on the year.

The Falcons hit the road on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. when they'll battle the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The team returns home on Saturday to battle the Hartford Wolf Pack at 7:00 p.m. at the MassMutual Center.

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 16, 2016


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