Falcons Power Play Dominates Crunch

Published on March 13, 2016 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, MA - The Springfield Falcons used a wild second period to knock off the Syracuse Crunch by a score of 4-2 at the MassMutual Center on Sunday night.

The Falcons got the game's first few chances via a power play opportunity just 5:43 into the game. Henrik Samuelsson nearly scored on a deflection with the man advantage. Syracuse would counter with two solid chances from Jonathan Drouin but Niklas Treutle was up to the task, denying both looks to secure a scoreless opening frame.

Springfield got a little puck luck midway through the second period when a Syracuse point shot trickled through Treutle but hit the post and skidded wide of the goal. The Falcons used that break to pick up the momentum and eventually gain the lead. On a power play of their own, Dylan Reese made a nifty play to keep the puck in the zone and fed Dakota Mermis His point-shot was tipped home by Laurent Dauphin in front on the net. Dauphin's ninth of the season was scored at 9:22. Springfield extended their lead when Eric Selleck forced a turnover in the offensive zone. He found Tyler Gaudet, who played it back to Mermis at the point. Mermis blasted a shot off the post and into the net for his second of the year at 17:38. Syracuse cut into the lead briefly during a sequence on a Falcons power play. Yanni Gourde fed Jeff Tambellini on a two-on-one bid. Tambellini fired the puck past Treutle on his blocker side for his 20th of the season while shorthanded. Just under a minute later, the Falcons struck back as Michael Bunting tipped Reese's shot past Adam Wilcox for his ninth of the year on the power play at 19:44. Mermis also picked up an assist, his third point of the night, on the goal that made it 3-1.

Tambellini again cut into the lead, this time on the power play midway through the third period. Cameron Darcy found Anthony DeAngelo in the offensive zone, who dispersed the puck to Tambellini. The forward blasted a shot from the point that beat Treutle to make it 3-2 game at the 13:27 mark. Tambellini found himself on a breakaway late in the period, but this time Treutle denied the sniper of a hat-trick with a pad save. Jordan Szwarz sealed the game at 19:59 thanks to deflecting a Dauphin pass for an empty net goal which Selleck also assisted on. Treutle made 28 saves in the win, which pushed his record to 11-13-5 on the season. Wilcox made 28 saves in the loss, moving his record to 9-10-5 on the year.

The Falcons conclude their home stand on Wednesday night when they host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at the MassMutual Center at 7:00 p.m. for Winning Wednesday. When the Falcons win, all fans in attendance may redeem their ticket for a free ticket to game on Sunday, March 20.

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.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 13, 2016


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