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Falcons Lose 3-1 in Albany

February 10, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Albany, NY – The Springfield Falcons came up short against the Albany River Rats at Pepsi Arena on Wednesday night, falling to the East Division club by a score of 3-1. Defenseman Nikos Tselios scored the lone goal for the Falcons while netminder Brian Eklund made 38 saves. Linemates Pascal Rheume, Zach Parise, and Ryan Murphy provided the scoring for the River Rats.

Each club had good scoring chances in the opening minutes of the game. Albany left wing Dean McAmmond split the Falcons defense to gain a clear breakaway on Eklund, but lifted the puck over the net. Springfield right wing Shane Willis later received a pass off the boards from Ryan Craig in the neutral zone to get behind the River Rats defense. Willis carried the puck in from the left wing and across the top of the crease, but could not lift it over the left pad of Rats netminder Ari Ahonen.

After back-to-back saves by Eklund, Murphy swept the second rebound into the net to provide the Rats a 1-0 lead 11:22 into the game. Parise and Rheume collected assists on the goal – the sixth of the season for Murphy.

The Falcons had a several flurries of chances in the second period, but could not cash in. Willis clanged a shot squarely off the post to the right of Ahonen at the end of one series.

Eklund stopped consecutive point blank chances by center Ivan Khomutov late in the middle frame to keep Springfield within a goal.

However, Parise made the score 2-0 with a goal on a shorthanded breakaway 1:51 into the third period. Parise picked up the puck in the neutral zone after Ahonen shot the puck out of the zone and Falcons defenseman Gerard Dicaire deflected it with his glove in an attempt to keep it in the Springfield zone.

Tselios put the Springfield on the board 4:49 later with his fourth goal of the season. The Falcons defenseman intercepted an Albany clearing pass at the blue line and moved in to snap a wrist shot over the shoulder of Ahonen from the right face-off circle. Referee Bob Langdon did not immediately signal the goal and let play continue. Following a whistle at the opposite end, Langdon conferred with linesman Frank Murphy and awarded the goal.

The Falcons were not able to net an equalizer and Albany center Pascal Rheume scored an empty net goal with 35.2 seconds remaining from the neutral zone. The marker was RheumeÂ’s 16th of the season and the 100th of his career as a River Rat.

Springfield did not score on two chances with the man advantage in the game. Albany was not awarded a power play in the contest.

The River Rats finished the game with a shot advantage of 41-25. The game marked the seventh consecutive road loss for Springfield.

The Falcons and River Rats have split their four meetings so far this season.

The Falcons will return to the Springfield Civic Center for weekend match-ups against the Worcester IceCats on Friday and the Providence Bruins on Saturday evenings. Kids in attendance at FridayÂ’s game will receive free Thundersticks. 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 win, please click on the following link: http://www.theahl.com/AHLBoxscores0405/139921.html

Three Stars of the Game:

Pascal Rheume – Albany

Zach Parise – Albany

Ryan Murphy – Albany

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