Third-Period Conard Comeback Shocks Falcons, 3-2

"A two-goal lead is the toughest lead in hockey."

That old saying became painfully true for the Fermi-Enfield/East Granby/Stafford ice hockey co-op team Monday morning.

Nursing a 2-0 lead over CCC North rival Conard, the Falcons watched the Chieftains explode for three goals in a 4:57 span to post a stunning 3-2 victory at the Enfield Twin Rinks.

"All season long, we've always gutted it out, we don't quit," Conard head coach Greg Raymer said. "We told the boys to keep shooting the puck and keep crashing the net. We had our opportunities, but their goalie played phenomenal the first two and a half periods."

In the first period, Nick Ferracci and Brian Riley scored 73 seconds apart to provide the Falcons a 2-0 lead. That score stood until past the midway point of the third period, when John Palermo scored to cut the Chieftains' deficit in half.

Casey Calvo netted the tying goal with 3:05 remaining in regulation time, then Palermo tallied the game-winner, his second of the day, with 1:24.

The Falcons pulled goaltender Aaron Lickwar in favor of a sixth attacker with 1:05 left, but were unable to beat Conard netminder Charlie Fisher.

Conard outshot the Falcons, 20-18.

Both teams host Simsbury in their next outing. The Falcons (2-3-1) are home Wednesday at 4 p.m., while Conard (3-1-1) entertains the Trojans Saturday at 1 p.m.