NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Falcons Edge Wranglers in Shootout

December 21, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


LAS VEGAS - The Fresno Falcons reached the .500 mark for the first time since last season by defeating the Las Vegas Wranglers in the early morning hours of Tuesday by a score of 5-4 in a shootout at The Orleans Arena.

Las Vegas opened the scoring during this match-up that began at midnight on the game's first power play when Dan Tudin knocked in a second rebound attempt after Falcons goaltender Jamie Hodson made two initial saves at 5:36 of the first. Fresno responded with a rebound goal of their own off the stick of Derek Krestanovich at 8:14 before the Wranglers took another one-goal lead at 17:50 when Tudin wristed in his second tally of the evening. Despite getting out-shot, 25-10, through the first 20 minutes, the Falcons wouldn't go away and re-tied the game at 19:32 off a one-timer in the slot from Shaun Sutter.

The only scoring in the second period came early. Wranglers forward Patrik Nilson stood up a Falcon at the Fresno blue-line, stole the puck and proceeded to rip a slapshot over the shoulder of Hodson for an unassisted goal just 1:32 into the frame.

The Falcons tied the game a third time at 5:30 of the third period off a slapshot from the slot by Dan Tessier and finally forged ahead, 4-3, while skating on a five-on-three power play. Sam Ftorek beat Las Vegas goaltender Sebastien Centomo with a one-timer from the top of the left circle at 14:39 just 14 seconds into the two-man advantage. Fresno could not close out the Wranglers in regulation, though, as Las Vegas notched the game-tying goal with 1:04 to play when Chris Stanley found Dustin Johner at the far post for an easy finish.

Neither team scored in the five-minute overtime period, although the Falcons generated several good chances largely due to nearly three minutes of power play time. In the ensuing shootout, Johner beat Hodson as the Wranglers' first shooter, but the Fresno netminder then closed the door on the final four shooters he faced. Tessier and Jason Weaver solved Centomo in the shootout, and the Falcons captured the 5-4 victory.

After losing their first four games of the season and finding themselves with a record of 1-6-1 in early November, Fresno has fought back to .500 on the year for the first time since Nov. 22, 2003, with a record of 11-11-2. The victory was also the team's first-ever at The Orleans Arena after failing to win any of their six games on the Wranglers' home ice last season.

The Falcons will now scatter for the Christmas Holiday and then reconvene on Sunday, Dec. 26, at 6 p.m. for a game at Bakersfield's Centennial Garden against the Condors.

The club returns home from this seven-game, five-city road trip on Tuesday, Jan. 4, at 7 p.m. for a tilt against the Peoria Rivermen at Save Mart Center. Tickets are now on sale for as low as $8 per seat and may also be purchased directly at the box office as well as all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 485-TIXS (8497) or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...

ECHL Stories from December 21, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Fresno Falcons Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central