Playoff Push Continues - Falcons Beat Sound Tigers 3-2 - Move to Within 1 Point of 8th and Final Pla
March 23, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
The Springfield Falcons defeated the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 3-2 in a shootout on Friday night improving their record to 31-29-3-3 on the season. The victory moved the Falcons to within one point of the 8th and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and improved Springfield's home record to 8-1-1-1 in their last 11 home games.
With how tight the playoff race has been in the Eastern Conference all season, it was only fitting that Friday's game needed an overtime and a shootout before it was decided. After a scoreless overtime, the Falcons shot first in the shootout with Cody Goloubef converting, followed by Brent Regner giving the Falcons a two-goal cushion in the extra session. Bridgeport's Rhett Rakhshani scored in round two, but Springfield's Nick Drazenovic gave Springfield a 3-1 shootout lead in round four. Falcons goaltender Paul Dainton stopped 34 of 36 shots in regulation and three of five in the extra session in earning the win.
"This was obviously a big win for us tonight," said Falcons head coach Rob Riley. "I thought Paul (Dainton) was very good and Cody (Goloubef) and Brent (Regner) started the shootout well for us. Every point is huge, we got the win and now we move onto Adirondack."
After a scoreless first period, the scoring picked up in the second period. Drazenovic gave the Falcons a 1-0 advantage at 1:35 of the middle period when he converted a perfectly executed 3 on 1 with Matt Calvert. It was Drazenovic's fourth straight game with a goal and the assist extended Calvert's scoring streak to four straight games.
Bridgeport evened the score at 1-1 when John Persson converted on a 5 on 3 Bridgeport power play at 10:34 of the second period, but the Falcons regained a one goal lead at 15:52 of the second frame when Andrew Joudrey's wrist shot beat Sound Tigers goalie Kevin Poulin putting the Birds on top 2-1.
In the third period, Rakhshani tied the score at 2-2 when he scored his 14th goal of the year at 4:05 of the final frame.
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