Falcons Rally from Three Down to Win 4-3

October 28, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


The Springfield Falcons came back from a three-goal deficit on Friday night, leading to an overtime breakaway game winner scored by Ryan Russell in front of 2,256 at the MassMutual Center. The Falcons stunned the Hershey Bears by a score of 4-3, winning their second straight and lifting their season record to 5-5.

New names in the lineup had an impact on the Falcons' scoring with Tomas Kubalik scoring his first goal this season in his first game back since an injury on opening night. David Savard grounded the defense for Springfield notching his first points for the Falcons with a pair of assists.

Recently appointed captain Dane Byers says the team is really coming together. "This was a huge win for us and I think it really shows the leadership in the room. It's definitely something to build off," said Byers.

Falcons' head coach Rob Riley credits the comeback win to the leadership in his group. "I think we've got good leadership and a group of guys that know how to win and they really showed it tonight," said Riley.

In an active first period of play the Falcons allowed two Hershey goals despite seeing a few scoring chances of their own. The first goal came at 11:36 from Hershey's' Jacob Micflikier as he beat Falcons' goaltender Danny Taylor's glove after receiving a behind-the-back setup from Cody Eakin.

The Bears increased their lead to 2-0 at 14:43 of the first frame on a delayed penalty man-advantage with Garrett Mitchell sneaking one through Taylor's legs off a rebound. The Falcons ended the first period down a pair of goals.

The Falcons came to skate in the second period, but were unable to convert some early scoring chances. At 1:29, Springfield killed a tripping minor convincingly, but the Bears scoring would continue at 8:14 with a goal by Chris Bourque off a 2-on1 break.

Springfield cut into its' 3-goal deficit with a power play goal at 12:53 of the second period. Byers redirected a driven shot by Savard to beat Hershey goaltender Braden Holtby bringing the score to 3-1 in Hershey's favor. The Falcons pressure continued the scoring with another power play goal by Kubalik at 17:10, shedding the deficit to one after 40 minutes of play.

The Falcons completed the comeback late on a third period power play when Martin St. Pierre dished a low puck to Cam Atkinson who slammed it home at 14:17. Regulation came to an end at a 3-3 deadlock sending the Falcons into their first overtime period of the season.

At 2:04 of the overtime period, Savard found a streaking Russell who bolted to the net and captured the win for the Falcons with his fourth goal of the season.

"I was in full flight and I didn't stop skating so I think that lead to me beating the defenseman to the goal," said Russell. "I think any time you can come back against a team it is huge. This was a big win for our hockey team."

The Falcons get back to work tomorrow night at 7 against the AHL newcomer St. John's IceCaps at the MassMutual Center.



American Hockey League Stories from October 28, 2011


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