Falcons Rally Past Rats for 5-4 Win
Published on October 11, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
Springfield, MA â The Springfield Falcons tallied three unanswered goals in the third period of a 5-4 comeback win over the Albany River Rats in the club's 2003-04 home opener at the Springfield Civic Center on Saturday night. Forwards Jeff Taffe and Erik Westrum each scored twice for the Falcons and notched the game-tying and game-winning goals respectively. Center Chris Ferraro also scored in the third period to help ignite the Falcons' rally. Rookie goaltender David LeNeveu made 12 saves in collecting his first professional win. With the victory the Falcons evened their record at 1-1-0-0 on the young season. Taffe has collected five points including an AHL-high four goals in the two games.
Ferraro snapped a shot under the crossbar from the right wing face-off dot to pull the Falcons to within a goal 5:50 into the third period. Taffe set up Ferraro for the one-time shot with a pass from the corner.
The Falcons took advantage of a five-on-three power play to tie the score, 4-4. Albany defenseman Matt DeMarchi received a major penalty for high sticking after drawing blood on the forehead of Falcons blueliner Goran Bezina midway through the frame. He was joined a short time later in the penalty box by Rats forward Tuomas Pihlman, who was issued a minor high-sticking penalty after knocking Taffe to the ice. Bezina and Peter Ferraro each hit the post during the power play before Taffe tipped in the rebound of a shot by right wing Fredrik Sjostrom with 8:18 remaining in regulation.
Westrum collected the game-winner 4:19 later by banking the puck off of Albany goaltender Scott Clemenssen from below the goal line after the netminder had staved off a couple of rebound attempts by the Falcons forward.
The Falcons outshot Albany, 19-1, during the third period.
The River Rats grabbed a 3-0 lead in the first period of the game with a shorthanded marker by right wing Chris Hartburg, a highlight film tally by forward Aleksander Suglobov, and an unassisted goal by defenseman Krisjanis Redlihs.
Westrum responded for the Falcons with his first goal of the season with 1:12 remaining in the opening period.
Taffe and Albany's Ray Giroux traded goals in the middle frame.
The Falcons next take the ice on Friday, October 17th versus the Manchester Monarchs at the Civic Center. Please call the Falcons office at (413) 739-3344 for ticket information.
American Hockey League Stories from October 11, 2003
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