Falcons top Lowell, 4-1
Published on February 21, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
Springfield, MA â Center Chris Ferraro posted a goal and two assists as the Springfield Falcons upended the Lowell Lock Monsters, 4-1, at the Springfield Civic Center on Saturday evening. Goran Bezina, Dustin Wood, and Jeremiah McCarthy also scored for the Falcons. Rookie goaltender David LeNeveu stopped 35 of 35 shots in the victory. The Falcons, who collected their first win in seven tries against the Lock Monsters this season, are unbeaten in their last four contests (2-0-2-0).
The Falcons cashed in on their first chance with the man advantage when Bezina swept in a rebound during a scramble in front of the Lowell net 5:52 into the opening period. The goal was Bezina's fifth overall marker of the season and second while on the power play.
Springfield pressured to build on the early lead, but a Lowell goal in the final minute of the period sent the teams to intermission tied, 1-1. Lock Monsters right wing Matt Davidson redirected a shot from the point by defenseman Brad Fast over the shoulder of LeNeveu for his ninth tally of the campaign with 14 seconds left in the frame.
The Falcons out shot Lowell, 17-8, during the opening twenty minutes.
The Lock Monsters controlled play during the early portion of the second period. Lowell tested LeNeveu with several chances that the rookie turned aside including a one-on-one opportunity by left wing Tomas Kurka. LeNeveu made consecutive pad saves on back-to-back point blank chances by forward Ryan Bayda and Kurka a short time later.
Despite being out shot, 20-12, during the frame, the Falcons scored the only goal of the second period. Wood blasted a shot past Lowell goaltender Patrick DesRochers from the top of the left wing face-off circle while the teams skated four-on-four. Springfield center Jason Jaspers made a pass across the top of Falcons' zone to set Wood up for the shot. Chris Ferraro helped with the scoring effort by setting a screen in front of DesRochers.
The Falcons capped scoring in the third period with a pair of tallies. Chris Ferraro scored with a shot through traffic from the right face-off dot with 6:20 remaining to play. Ferraro has registered 10 points (5g, 5a) over the last eight games.
McCarthy sealed the contest for Springfield with an empty net goal from center ice with 59 seconds left. Rookie forward Frantisek Lukes collected his second assist of the game on the goal.
Similar to the January 18th meeting between the clubs in Lowell, emotions erupted during the last minute of the game when several altercations occurred. The teams were issued a combined 49 minutes in penalties during the final 44 seconds of play.
The Falcons connected on one of three power-play opportunities in the game while killing off each of Lowell's eight chances with the man advantage.
LeNeveu earned his 11th win of the season while making his seventh consecutive start.
The Falcons will return to action at the Civic Center on Sunday to face the Binghamton Senators. It will be the only visit to Springfield of the regular season for the Senators, who's current line-up includes former Buffalo Sabres enforcer Rob Ray. Game time is 4:05 pm. To order tickets by phone, please contact the Civic Center box office at (413) 787-6600.
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