IceCats Slip Past Falcons, 3-2, in OT
November 28, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
Worcester, MA â Defenseman Aris Brimanis scored with 1:12 remaining in overtime to vault the Worcester IceCats to a 3-2 win over the Springfield Falcons before 4,517 at the Centrum Centre on Friday night. Forwards Frank Banham and Frantisek Lukes scored for the Falcons. Springfield netminder Jean-Marc Pelletier made 34 saves as the Falcons lost in overtime for the first time this season. Despite gaining a point in the standings for being tied at the end of regulation, the Falcons' losing streak was extended to five games. Terry Virtue and Mike Glumac scored in regulation for the IceCats.
Brimanis scored the game-winning tally while positioned near the bottom of the right wing face-off circle. The defenseman's redirection of a shot by center Jay McClement floated over Pelletier, who was at the top of the crease, and landed in the net. The goal was the first of the season for Brimanis.
The IceCats took a 1-0 lead 3:45 into the game by connecting on their first power-play opportunity. On the goal, Virtue pinched in from the left point to score off the rebound of a shot from forward Peter Sejna. The marker was Virtue's first of the season.
However, the Falcons responded 1:04 later when Banham registered his third tally of the campaign. Banham pushed the puck over the goal line after rookie Martin Podlesak circled behind the net and banked a shot off the side of IceCats goaltender Reinhard Divis.
Pelletier kept the game tied, 1-1, with several stops on point-blank chances including one-on-one opportunities by Jeff Panzer near the end of the first period and Ernie Hartlieb in the second.
Lukes scored off a rebound with 6:41 remaining in the middle frame by lifting a shot over a sprawling Divis after Podlesak's wrist shot from the left wing half-boards handcuffed the Worcester goaltender. The tally, which gave the Falcons a 2-1 lead, marked the first professional goal for the rookie.
Glumac collected the game-tying goal for the IceCats with 9:34 remaining in regulation. The Ontario native got behind the Springfield defense after collecting a bouncing puck in the Falcons' zone and beat Pelletier with a low shot.
Worcester held a 37-36 shot advantage for the game.
Podlesak and center Jason Jaspers each assisted on both Falcons' goals.
Springfield is now 2-2-1 in overtime games this season.
The game marked the first one-goal win at home this season for the IceCats.
The Falcons are 0-1-1-1 against Worcester this season. The teams will meet again next Friday at the Civic Center.
The Falcons return to the Springfield Civic Center for a pair of games this weekend. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins will be making their only appearance in Springfield this season on Saturday. Game time is 7:35 p.m. Former Falcon goaltender Patrick DesRochers and the Lowell Lock Monsters will visit the Falcons on Sunday in a 4:05 p.m. contest. A free skate for those in attendance follows Sunday's game. For ticket information, please call the Falcons' office at (413) 739-3344.
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