Falcons skate past Manchester in home finale

April 10, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, MA – Rookie left wing Frantisek Lukes sent a crowd of 4,736 home happy with the game-winning goal with 2:50 remaining as the Springfield Falcons defeated the Manchester Monarchs, 2-1, in the club's 2003-04 home finale at the Springfield Civic Center on Saturday evening. Springfield goaltender Jean-Marc Pelletier stopped 31 of 32 shots to gain the victory. Recent call-up Darren McLachlan also scored for Springfield. Right wing Leon Hayward provided the Monarchs' lone tally.

Lukes' game-winning marker came on a low wrist shot from the top of the left wing face-off circle that handcuffed Manchester netminder Adam Hauser. Center Jason Jaspers and defenseman Tom Koivisto collected assists on the score. The goal was Lukes' eighth marker overall this season and his third game-winner.

The Falcons finished the season series with the second-place Monarchs with a record of 5-5-0-0 including a 4-1-0-0 mark at the Civic Center.

McLachlan took advantage of a Manchester turnover to score his first American Hockey League goal 3:58 into the contest to provide the Falcons with a 1-0 lead. Monarchs blueliner Joe Rullier misfired on a pass to defensive partner Maxim Kuznetsov in the Springfield zone. McLachlan collected the errant pass before snapping a shot past netminder Adam Hauser from the left wing face-off circle. The first-year pro's first goal came in his tenth came with the Falcons. McLachlan skated in 39 games with the United Hockey League's Adirondack IceHawks this season.

Pelletier made 13 saves during a scoreless second period.

Manchester tied the contest 3:01 into the third frame when center Michael Cammalleri centered the puck from below the goal line to Hayward, who one-timed the feed past Pelletier. The tally was Hayward's second of the season.

The Falcons completed the home portion of their schedule with a record of 18-16-5-1at The Nest.

Prior to the game, the 2003-04 Springfield Falcons Booster Club Awards were presented. Below are listed the award winners:

Florence Kurdziel Unsung Hero Award .......................................Jeremiah McCarthy

Kay MacDonald Memorial Award (Good Sportsmanship) ............... Martin Podlesak

Fred Cowell Award (Best Defensive Player) ................................. Mike Wilson

Dick Casey "True Grit" Award (Courage, Determination, Work Ethic) Dustin Wood

Jim Denver Good Guy Award (Community Service) ....................... Erik Westrum, Martin Podlesakl, Jeremiah McCarthy, and Trevor Gillies

Hooter Favorite Defenseman Award (fan vote) ..............................Jeremiah McCarthy

Campbell Soup Fan Favorite (fan vote) ....................................... Trevor Gillies

Roland Brault Player's Player Award (chosen by players) ................Gary Shuchuk

Friendly's Ice Cream Three Stars Award ..................................... Jean-Marc Pelletier

Ross Lowe Memorial Award (MVP – voted by Booster Club) ............ David LeNeveu and Jean-Marc Pelletier

Also during the pre-game ceremony, a check in the amount of $11,750 was presented to Peter and Chris Ferraro, who represented the Jennifer Ferraro Foundation, on behalf of the Springfield Falcons and Dr. Laura Gramse. The funds were raised for the donation through the Team Jennifer Night memorabilia raffles and jersey auctions as well as Falcons player appearances at Friendly's Restaurants. A portion of the funds was also donated by Dr. Gramse, who pledged $50 to the Jennifer Ferraro Foundation for every goal scored by Chris Ferraro this season.

Earthbound Trading Company, which pledged $50 for each point registered by Falcons center Jason Jaspers this season to the charity of the player's choice, also presented a check in the amount of $2,200 to Griffin's Friends.

The Falcons will travel to Maine to conclude their 2003-04 season against the Portland Pirates on Sunday. Catch the live play-by-play call of the game by the voice of the Falcons Marc Shelanski beginning with the pre-game show at 3:35 pm.



American Hockey League Stories from April 10, 2004


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