Falcons Sink IceCats, 4-2
April 10, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
Worcester, Mass. - Rookie defenseman Paul Ranger scored the game-winning goal with 1:39 left in regulation to propel the Springfield Falcons to a 4-2 victory over the Worcester IceCats before a crowd of 4,560 at the DCU Center on Sunday. Linemates Evgeni Artukhin and Jason Jaspers continued their strong play as each put forth multiple-point efforts and goaltender Brian Eklund turned aside 35 of 37 shots in the Springfield net. In the final ever meeting between the clubs, the Falcons dealt a tough blow to the IceCats' playoff hopes as Worcester fell five points out of the Atlantic Division's final spot heading into the last week of the regular season.
Ranger received a pass from left wing J.F. Soucy to blast a shot past âCats netminder Curtis Sanford from the high slot to break a 2-2 tie at 18:21 of the third period. It was the second pro goal for the rookie blue liner and turned out to be his first game-winner.
Jaspers backhanded the puck into an empty net to seal the game with 17 seconds left to play. Artukhin notched his second assist and third point of the game on the marker. It was the fifth goal in the last five games for Jaspers.
Artukhin posted multiple points in the contest for the fourth time over his last seven games. The 22-year-old forward has posted 11 points on two goals and nine assists over the seven-game span.
Both the Falcons and IceCats converted one of five power plays in the game.
The Falcons finish the season series with a 4-5-0-1 record versus Worcester and a 41-53-14 all-time mark against the IceCats, who will move to Illinois to become the Peoria Rivermen after the season.
The IceCats entered the day three points behind the Providence Bruins for the fourth and final playoff spot in the division. However, Sunday's loss combined with a 2-1 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack for Providence leaves Worcester five points out with three games remaining on both clubs' schedules.
For the fourth straight contest, the Falcons struck first on Sunday when left wing Ryan Craig scored on the power play 10:15 into the opening frame. Craig blasted a shot past Sanford from the slot for his team-leading 26th goal of the season after Artukhin centered the puck from the goal line. Defenseman Andreas Holmqvist collected an assist for the third consecutive game on the play.
Worcester pulled even with 1:51 remaining in the period on a goal by right wing Eric Boguniecki. A pass by defenseman Mike Mottau sent Boguniecki in alone on Eklund for the score.
Following a scoreless second period, Artukhin scored 6:58 into the third stanza during a scramble in front of the net. Jaspers and defenseman Harlan Pratt recorded assists on the goal â the ninth of the season for Artukhin.
However, Boguniecki and Mottau again combined to knot the game with 7:08 remaining in regulation. During a power play created by a call for too many men on the ice against the Falcons, Boguniecki deposited the rebound of a shot by Mottau into the net for his second goal of the day and 14th of the campaign in just his 29th game with the IceCats this season. Boguniecki scored 22 goals with the St. Louis Blues in his last healthy and full season of hockey in 2002-03.
The game turned out to be a reversal of sorts from Friday's match-up between the clubs in Springfield when the Falcons carried a 3-2 lead late into the game, but saw Worcester's Jeff Hoggan tie the game with 1:02 left in regulation before Jay McClement won the game for the âCats with a goal in overtime.
The Falcons will return to the Springfield Civic Center to host the Lowell Lock Monsters on Wednesday. To order tickets, please visit the Civic Center box office or call (413) 787-6600 or (800) 639-8602. Ticket can also be ordered online through www.falconsahl.com.
For a complete box score of Sunday's win, please click on the following link: http://www.theahl.com/AHLBoxscores0405/140299.html
Three Stars of the Game:
1. Eric Boguniecki â Worcester
2. Evgeni Artukhin â Springfield
3. Brian Eklund - Springfield
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