Falcons Surpassed by Wolf Pack, 4-3

January 23, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Hartford, Conn. - A third period rally lifted the Hartford Wolf Pack over the Springfield Falcons, 4-3, tonight at the XL Center.

Kerby Rychel led the Falcons with his third three-point performance of the season, tallying two goals and an assist, as the Falcons were given their first regulation loss to the Wolf Pack.

The loss put the Falcons on a three-game skid and brings the team to 26-12-4-0 on the season and 2-1-1-0 in the 10-game season series with the Wolf Pack. Despite the loss, Springfield still maintains control of the Northeast Division with 56 points.

Falcons goaltender Anton Forsberg turned away 24 of 28 shots in defeat, while Wolf Pack goaltender Mackenzie Skapski stopped 25 on 28. Springfield took advantage of their power play opportunities, converting on two of six. The penalty kill unit was successful in shutting down all five Hartford man-advantages.

The Falcons opened scoring late in the first and carried their 1-0 lead into the intermission. While on the power play, Frederic St. Denis powered a shot from the left point that was turned away by Skapski. Michael Chaput was positioned perfectly at the right post to grab the rebound and slam home is second of the season. Rychel earned a point for the secondary assist.

The Wolf Pack responded early in the middle frame, but the Falcons were able to take back the lead before the second intermission. Just 1:12 in, St. Denis blocked a backhand shot from Joey Crabb, leaving the puck out in the left wing circle. Oscar Lindberg grabbed it and put a shot on net that trickled past Forsberg and across the goal line. Rychel took back the lead for the Falcons when he blasted a slap shot from the right point eight minutes later. Nathan Oystrick and Dana Tyrell assisted on the go-ahead goal.

The Wolf Pack struck three times in the third period to overtake the Falcons, 4-3. At the 1:35 mark, they knotted the score, 2-2. Forsberg made a pad save on Crabb's shot, but Lindberg snuck the rebound behind the sprawled out goaltender to catch up to the Falcons for a second time.

Springfield took back the lead five minutes later. St. Denis fired a shot from the left point that was tipped by Rychel for his second of the game and 12th of the season.

However, the Falcons were unable to hold onto the lead, giving up two unanswered Wolf Pack goals in just over a minute to end the contest. At the 13:14 mark, Chris Bourque faked a slap shot before passing across the slot to Crabb. Crabb notched his second of the game from a sharp angle at the bottom of the left circle. Dylan McIlrath then netted the game-winner after skating the puck into the Falcons' zone and beating Forsberg glove side from the right face-off dot.

The Falcons return to the MassMutual Center to host the Providence Bruins on Jan. 24 at 7 p.m.

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 back-to-back Northeast Division Champions at www.falconsahl.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/falconsahl and on Twitter (@TheFalconsAHL) using #SPRFalcons!



American Hockey League Stories from January 23, 2015


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