MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com-SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Matt Fornataro’s goal early in the third period helped the Admirals to erase a 2-1 third period deficit. However, Liam Reddox scored 1:32 into overtime as the Norfolk Admirals (21-23-3-0) fell to the Springfield Falcons (16-24-8-2) 3-2 on Friday night at the MassMutual Center and saw their four-game winning streak end.

 

Despite the loss, the Admirals have gained nine of a possible ten points thus far on their seven-game road trip and have moved to fourth place in the AHL’s East Division. The sixth game of that trip is a pivotal East Division matchup tomorrow evening against the third place Adirondack Phantoms at 7:00.

 

After a scoreless first period, the Admirals broke a 0-0 tie 11:02 into the second period. Juraj Simek sent a pass to Radek Smolenak at the top of the left circle. Smolenak skated through to the bottom of the circle as Simek skated into the slot. Smolenak centered the puck into the slot and Simek one-timed the pass over the right leg of Falcons goaltender Jean-Philippe Levasseur for his 12th goal of the season.

 

However, Springfield leveled the score at 1-1 just over two minutes later. Viacheslav Trukhno sent a shot from the left circle that bounced off the pads of Norfolk goaltender Jaroslav Janus and ricocheted into the right circle. Colton Fretter one-timed the rebound past Janus stick-side at 13:03.

 

The Falcons took a 2-1 lead just over three minutes later. Charles Linglet sent a backhand pass from behind the net into the high slot. Alex Plante sent a slap shot through traffic that found its mark at 16:15.
ADVERTISEMENT

 

The Admirals tied the game at 2-2 just 24 seconds into the third period with a four-on-three power play goal. Ty Wishart sent a pass from the top of the right circle to Matt Fornataro just inside the top of the left circle. Fornataro one-timed the pass into the net between the glove and left leg of Levasseur for his third goal of the season.

 

In overtime, Liam Reddox skated through the right circle and cut around an Admirals defenseman into the slot before sending a shot between the legs of Janus at 1:32 for the game-winning goal.

 

Jaroslav Janus (34 shots, 31 saves) suffered the loss. Jean-Philippe Levasseur (35 shots, 33 saves) earned the victory.

             

Norfolk was 1-5 on the power play. Springfield was 0-5.

 

The Admirals continue their seven-game road trip tomorrow night with a pivotal East Division matchup against the Adirondack Phantoms. The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. All games are broadcast on STAR 1310-AM, star1310.com and ahllive.com.m

If you like the daily news of the Raw Feed, SUBSCRIBE TODAY to the nation's only alternative professional sports magazine, SZ, with original features and great action photography in baseball, hockey, basketball, and football. Just $11.99 per year for an e-zine like you’ve never seen!