Willis Leads Falcons to 3-2 OT Win Over P-Bruins
Published on February 6, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
Springfield, Mass. â Right wing Shane Willis scored the game-tying goal in the third period before netting the game-winner in overtime of a 3-2 win over the Providence Bruins before a crowd of 3,888 at the Springfield Civic Center on Saturday night. Falcons goaltender Brian Eklund stopped 26 of 28 shots to earn his seventh win of the season. Forward Ryan Craig assisted on both goals by Willis.
The Falcons knotted the game at two goals apiece with 13:49 left in regulation when Willis, stationed at the top of the crease, scored off the rebound of a shot by Craig. Rookie forward Darren Reid tipped Craig's shot from the top of the left circle to help create the loose rebound.
Willis scored his third game-winner of the season 1:30 into overtime. Again positioned in front of the net, the 27-year-old redirected a low shot from the point by defenseman Nikos Tselios past Providence goaltender Cody Rudkowski. The goal was Willis's 16th of the season, nine of which have come in the third period or overtime of games.
The Falcons improved their record against the Bruins to 3-5-0-0 with the victory and have won the last two meetings.
Springfield held the Bruins, who entered the game with the AHL's top ranked power play, scoreless on six chances with the man advantage in the game. The Falcons were not able to convert any of their four power plays.
Willis nearly put the Falcons on top during an early penalty kill in the first period after intercepting a Bruins' pass and skating in alone on Rudkowski. However, the Providence goaltender tipped Willis's wrist shot over the net with his glove.
The Falcons did connect shortly after killing off their next penalty later in the frame. During an odd-man rush, forward Derek Bekar dropped a pass from the right wing half boards to Adam Henrich, who moved the puck across the slot to defenseman Mike Egener. The rookie snapped a shot past Rudkowski from near the left face-off dot for his second goal of the season at 13:28.
Providence pulled even 3:21 later when a bouncing pass deflected off the chest of Springfield center Dennis Packard and into the net. Bruins forward Brad Boyes was credited with the goal â his 20th of the season.
The Bruins took a 2-1 lead into the second intermission after center Ben Guite put back the rebound of his own shot with 4:48 remaining in the middle frame. Right wing Colton Orr collected the lone assist on the tally.
At 9:24 of the second period, Providence forward Pat Leahy was injured when he was checked into the boards in the Providence zone by Falcons right wing Evgeni Artukhin. Leahy was taken from the ice on a stretcher by medical personnel after suffering a possible concussion and a cut to the back of his head. The Duxbury native was taken to Bay State Medical Center in Springfield and was expected to receive a CAT scan for precautionary reasons. Artukhin was issued a major penalty for boarding as well as a match penalty for the hit.
The Falcons will visit the Albany River Rats at Pepsi Arena on Wednesday before returning to the the Civic Center to host the Worcester IceCats on Friday and the P-Bruins again next Saturday. To purchase tickets, visit the Springfield Civic Center box office, call (413) 787-6600 or (800) 639-8602 to order by phone, or log onto www.falconsahl.com to order tickets online.
American Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2005
- Toivonen posts another shutout - Providence Bruins
- Willis Leads Falcons to 3-2 OT Win Over P-Bruins - Springfield Falcons
- Miller feud goes to Rochester's Ryan, 4-2 - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Aeros, Harding, outduel Admirals, Finley 1-0 - Houston Aeros
- Pirates Defeat Manchester 3-2 in a Shootout - Portland Pirates
- Parenteau's OT goal lifts Ducks past Crunch - Cincinnati RailRaiders
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