Late rally pulls Falcons into 3-3 tie with Wolf Pack

Published on February 18, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, MA – The Springfield Falcons scored twice in the final two minutes of regulation to gain a 3-3 tie against the Hartford Wolf Pack at the Springfield Civic Center on Wednesday evening. Defenseman Jeremiah McCarthy scored with 1:58 remaining in the third period to pull the Falcons to within a goal. The blueliner then assisted on rookie Frantisek Lukes' game-tying tally with 43 seconds left. Center Kiel McLeod also scored for the Falcons.

McCarthy's fourth goal of the season at the 18:02 mark of the third period made the score 3-2. On the goal, McCarthy collected the puck during a scramble in front of the Wolf Pack goal and snapped a wrist shot past Hartford goaltender Jason LaBarbera.

McCarthy set up Lukes with a pass across the front of the crease for the game-tying goal 1:15 later. Lukes received the pass in the left wing face-off circle and lifted the shot into the net before LaBarbera could slide from post to post.

The Falcons outshot Hartford 14-3 in the third period and 2-0 in overtime. Springfield did have an opportunity to win the game during the extra session with a power play (four-on-three), but the club was not able to capitalize.

Hartford center Benoit Dusablon opened scoring with the put back of a rebound that landed on his forehand in the low slot 6:58 into the contest. The only goal of the first frame was Dusablon's seventh of the campaign.

Springfield appeared to tie the game when defenseman Dustin Wood swept the puck into the net to complete a two-on-one shorthanded rush with center Erik Westrum later in the period. However, Wood's momentum carried him into the net and referee Francois St. Laurent ruled that the posts had come off it's moorings before the puck crossed the goal line.

The Wolf Pack notched a pair of goals 59 seconds apart early in the second period to increase their lead to 3-0. Hartford turned a turnover by Erik Westrum below the goal line the Falcons' zone into rookie center Dominic Moore's ninth goal of the campaign 2:14 into the frame.

Hartford's Craig Weller then completed an odd-man rush for his second marker of the season at the 3:13 mark.

McLeod banged a shot off the cross bar and into the net from the left wing face-off circle to put the Falcons on the scoreboard with 5:59 remaining in the middle period.

The Falcons felt they scored the team's second goal of the game with seven minutes remaining in the third period when LaBarbera's glove appeared to cross the goal line after a save on a shot by Peter Ferraro. The goal light went on, however, St. Laurent did not allow the marker to count.

Falcons goaltender David LeNeveu stopped 25 of 28 shots in his fifth straight start.

Springfield finished the game zero-for-eight with the man advantage. Hartford was scoreless on six power-play chances.

The Falcons will travel to Maine to face the Portland Pirates on Friday before returning to The Nest for a pair of home tilts over the weekend. Springfield will host the Lowell Lock Monsters on Saturday in a 7:35 p.m. contest. The Binghamton Senators will make their only appearance of the season at the Civic Center on Sunday in a game that begins at 4:05 p.m. For ticket information, please contact the Falcons team office at (413) 739-3344.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 18, 2004


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