Jaspers and LeNeveu lead Falcons in 5-1 win at Lowell

Published on March 20, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Lowell, MA – Center Jason Jaspers posted a hat trick and netminder David LeNeveu stopped 50 of 51 shots to lead the Springfield Falcons to a 5-1 win over the Lowell Lock Monsters before 3,949 at Tsongas Arena on Saturday night. Jaspers also added an assist in the victory to complete a team season-high four-point night. Defenseman Nic Bilotto and forward Martin Podlesak also scored on former Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jamie Storr. Right wing Nick Lent collected three assists for the Falcons.

Springfield tallied twice on five chances with the man advantage in the game while the club officially killed off each of Lowell's 10 power-play opportunities including three two-man advantages. The Lock Monsters' lone goal came just as Falcons defenseman Joe Callahan was exiting the penalty box to conclude Lowell's first man advantage in the opening period. The Lock Monsters entered the contest with the AHL's second-ranked power play (17.4%).

Jaspers provided the Falcons with a 1-0 lead 2:41 into the game by backhanding a shot past Storr. Lent and Gary Shuchuk registered assists on the goal.

The Lock Monsters responded to even the contest at the 5:36 mark. Defenseman Tomas Malec clanged a shot off the left post that caromed off LeNeveu and into the net as Callahan's penalty was expiring. The goal was Malec's sixth overall and third versus Springfield this season.

The Falcons converted their first chance with the man advantage 2:21 later when Bilotto's blast through traffic found the back of the net to make the score 2-1.

Midway through the second period Springfield defenseman Todd Reirden made a diving play to poke the puck away from Lowell's Joey Tetarenko to thwart a prime scoring opportunity by the rugged blueliner. LeNeveu followed by making sparkling saves to rob Chris McNamara and Jim Henkel during the next minute of action. LeNeveu made a total of 21 saves during the frame as neither team scored.

However, the Falcons scored three times in the third period to roll to the victory.

Jaspers completed the third Springfield hat trick of the season with back-to-back goals at 2:28 and 7:57 of the final stanza. Jaspers is now tied with center Erik Westrum, who is currently on recall with the Phoenix Coyotes, for second on the club in goal scoring with 14 markers on the campaign.

Podlesak capped scoring in the game with a deflection of a shot by Lent with 6:43 remaining to play.

Falcons defenseman Jeremiah McCarthy registered two assists in the game and has collected five helpers over the last five contests.

Callahan, who made his professional debut against the Providence Bruins on Friday evening, recorded the first point of his career with an assist on Jaspers' third goal.

The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Falcons. Although Springfield is just 2-7-0-0 against the Lock Monsters this season, the Falcons have won two of the last three meetings.

The Lowell defeat allowed the Portland Pirates to move to within two points of the club for the fifth and final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. The Pirates upended the Hartford Wolf Pack, 1-0, in Connecticut on Saturday night.

The Falcons will visit the Manchester Monarchs on Sunday to play the third of four consecutive road games. Game time is 4:05 p.m. Following a rematch at Lowell on Thursday, the Falcons will return to the home ice of the Springfield Civic Center to host the Portland Pirates on Friday evening. For information on tickets and group discounts, please contact the Falcons team office at (413) 739-3344.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2004


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