Falcons Overcome Sound Tigers, 4-3

March 19, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, Mass..– Forwards Shane Willis and Derek Bekar each recorded two points in their return to the Springfield Falcons' lineup to help the club to a 4-3 win over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at the Springfield Civic Center on Friday night. Right wing Justin Kelly also notched two points with a goal and an assist in his second game with the Falcons. Defenseman Mike Egener's third goal of his rookie season turned out to be the game-winner. Blueliner Bruno Gervais scored twice for Bridgeport.

The Sound Tigers converted their first power play of the game for the only goal of the first period. Gervais fired a shot through traffic from the high slot for the tally with 5:11 remaining in the frame.

The Falcons knotted the contest when center Craig Darby scored at 3:34 of the second period. Left wing Ryan Craig corralled the rebound of a shot by former Sound Tiger Jim Campbell and worked it to Darby near the top of the crease. Darby slid the puck inside the post for his seventh goal of the season.

Willis began an eventful third period with his 17th marker of the campaign after receiving a centering feed from Kelly. Bekar also assisted on the goal which came at 1:49.

The linemates combined again 2:43 later to make the score 3-1. This time Willis whirled to center the puck out of the corner to Kelly in front of the net. Kelly redirected the puck past former Falcon goaltender Dieter Kochan. The second-year pro, who was called up from the UHL's Adirondack Frostbite this week, also scored in his debut with the Falcons – a 4-2 win over the Hershey Bears on Wednesday. Bekar collected his second assist of the night on the goal.

Bridgeport capitalized on a Springfield turnover with a shorthanded goal by Gervais with 9:31 left in regulation. It was the sixth tally of the campaign for the rookie defenseman.

Egener went to the net to knock in the eventual game-winning goal from the edge of the crease with 7:22 remaining.

Tigers defenseman Ed Campbell, the brother of Springfield's Jim, again pulled Bridgeport to within a goal just 54 seconds later. Left wing Steve Regier broke his stick on a shot from the right point, but the puck dribbled to Campbell outside the right circle. Campbell snapped a shot past distracted Springfield netminder Brian Eklund for his first goal of the season.

However, Eklund and the Falcons were able to thwart Bridgeport's efforts to come up with an equalizer the rest of the way.

The Falcons outshot the Sound Tigers, 31-27, in the game.

Eklund stopped 24 of 27 shots while Kochan made 27 saves.

Each team received three chances with the man advantage with Bridgeport scoring once on the power play and once shorthanded. All four Springfield goals came at equal strength.

Besides scoring the deciding goal, Egener was +3 in the game.

The victory was the second straight for the Falcons while the Sound Tigers' three-game winning streak came to an end.

The game completed the Falcons' two-game season series with the Sound Tigers. Bridgeport edged Springfield, 2-1, at the Arena at Harbor Yard on Sunday.

Willis had missed the last 13 games before returning for Friday's contest. Bekar had been out of the lineup for the past 10 contests after being injured against the Hartford Wolf Pack on Feb. 19.

The Falcons will return to the home ice of the Civic Center to face the Albany River Rats on Saturday night. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Fans are invited to bring a new stuffed toy to participate in the evening's TEDDY BEAR TOSS brought to you by Teddy Bear Pools & Spas. All toys will be donated to local Fire & Police Departments and EMS Units. To purchase tickets, visit the Springfield Civic Center box office, call (413) 787-6600 or (800) 639-8602, or to order online, log onto www.falconsahl.com.



American Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central