Falcons Topped by Phantoms, 5-4, in Overtime

February 15, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, Mass. - The Springfield Falcons were topped by the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 5-4, in overtime tonight at the MassMutual Center.

The Falcons are now 29-18-5-0 and finish the two-game season series with the Phantoms with a 1-0-1-0 record. Despite the loss, the Falcons earned one point by making it to overtime. Springfield is tied for second place in the Northeast Division with 63 points.

Falcons goaltender Oscar Dansk turned away 18 of 23 shots, while his Phantoms counterpart, Rob Zepp, stopped 27 of 31. Springfield was able to convert on one of six power play opportunities, with the penalty kill unit shutting down six of seven Lehigh Valley man-advantages.

The Phantoms were first on the board, lighting the lamp at the 7:10 mark of the first period. Taylor Leier chipped in a quick wrist shot top right corner to go up, 1-0. The assist went to Scott Laughton.

Springfield got on the board early in the second period. With a delayed penalty on the Phantoms, Dansk went to the bench to add an extra Falcons attacker. Brett Ponich fired a shot from the high slot that was redirected by Domenic Monardo for his ninth goal of the season at the 4:40 mark. Michael Chaput grabbed a point for the secondary assist.

At the 6:07 mark, the Phantoms took back their lead when Jason Akeson sniped an unassisted shot from the top of the left circle. Lehigh Valley built on that lead just over a minute later. While on the power play, Brandon Manning received a pass from Leier and ripped a shot that went wide and hit off the end boards. Zack Stortini picked up the rebound and jammed it in off the post.

The Falcons stole one back on the man-advantage. Tynan fired a wrist shot that was stopped by Zepp, but the puck trickled through the five hole and across the goal line. Marko Dano earned credit for the helper, while Mike Little picked up his first American Hockey League point with the secondary assist.

However, the Phantoms were quick to build back their two-goal lead, which they carried into the second intermission. Stortini came crashing into the net just after the halfway mark and got the puck past Dansk for his second tally of the contest.

The Falcons came out strong in the third period and rallied back to force overtime. Luke Adam powered a shot from the right circle off assists from Little and Jaime Sifers 2:23 into the final 20 minutes.

With 6:06 remaining in the contest, Sifers knotted the score, 4-4. Sean Collins passed along the blue line to Sifers at the left point. Sifers one-timed the feed for his third goal of the season and first since Jan. 3. Yann Sauve earned credit for the secondary assist.

Just 24 seconds into the overtime period, Andrew Gordon picked a pass and scored on a breakaway, downing the Falcons, 5-4.

The Falcons are back in action on Friday, Feb. 20 when they battle the Hartford Wolf Pack at 7 p.m. at the MassMutual Center.

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 February 15, 2015


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