The game started off in favor of the Cats when late in the first period center Denis Chalifoux netted his 13th goal of the season, assisted by right wing Blair Atcheynum and defenseman Terry Virtue.
Worcester's momentum continued into the second period and after only two and a half minutes, IceCat center Mark Ouimet scored on a wrap-around assist by center Shawn Heaphy, who was fed by right wing Ross Wilson. Eight minutes later, however, the Falcons finally made a squawk when left wing Bob Wren mucked the puck past Cowley and brought the score to 2-1, Worcester.
In the third period, both sides fought hard to keep the pressure on the opposition, with each team putting 12 shots on net. Late in the period, however, Falcon right wing Ravil Gusmanov hit the mark, lifting a rebound over Cowley, who couldn't quite reco ver from a diving save at the top of the crease.
In overtime, neither team could find the back of the net, and the game ended in a 2-2 tie.
After the game, the Falcons weren't the only team packing up their equipment, as the IceCats prepared to embark on a 7-game road trip through the Atlantic division.
The trip started off with a bang on Thursday night (the 16th), when the IceCats smoked the Saint John, NB Flames, 6-1. In his fourth straight start, Cowley performed spectacularly, but it was pint-sized powerhouse center Shawn Heaphy who really burnt the house down with a 3-goal hat trick and an assist for 4 points. Other IceCat goals were scored by LW Cal McGowan, RW Sean Whyte, and D Jason Widmer. In his last four games, Cowley has allowed only 7 goals out of 126 shots on net, a sure sign that he's d oing his part to bring the Cats to the playoffs.
The IceCats continued their Atlantic division onslaught on Friday night (the 17th), when they rode into Nova Scotia to face the Cape Breton Oilers. The Cats frontline was on fire, consistently beating the Oiler's goalies and winning their second straight with a score of 7-5. Rookie goaltender Chris Gordon got the nod after sitting out for four games, and played incredibly. Gordon stopped an unbelievable 45 of 50 shots on net, completely shutting down the Oiler offense in the third period to hold on for the win. The scoring was shared by seven different IceCats, including LW Jarrett Deuling, RW Sean Whyte, LW Cal McGowan, C Denis Chalifoux, and RW Blair Atcheynum. The real offensive connection, however, came from IceCat speedsters C Mark Ouimet and C Shawn Heaphy, who each scored a goal (assisted by the other) on two overpowering 2 on 1 drives.
The win raises Worcester's record versus Atlantic teams to 7-1-1 (why aren't we in that division), and their overall record to 16-31-10. The IceCats play the Oilers again on Sunday (the 21st), and continue their road trip with stops against the St . John's Mapleleafs, Fredricton Canadiens, and the Prince Edwards Island Senators.