Bullock's Natural Hat Trick Leads the Way

Published on November 11, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


BEAUMONT, Tex. – The Fresno Falcons nearly gave-away a four-goal lead on Tuesday at Ford Arena in Beaumont, TX, but a natural hat trick from Greg Bullock and 34 saves from goaltender Terry Friesen ultimately proved enough in a 6-4 defeat of the Texas Wildcatters.

Despite getting outshot by a two-to-one margin in the first period, it was the Falcons that skated to the locker room after 20 minutes with a 2-1 lead, thanks especially to Friesen. John Snowden opened the scoring for Texas with his first of the year at 4:05, only to be answered less than three minutes later by Bullock, who deflected a Kevin Truelson blast from the point past Texas netminder Davis Parlee. Bullock then notched his second of the evening and fifth of the year by combining on a bang-bang play with Brad Mehalko with less than two minutes remaining in the frame.

The Falcons' leading scorer (6g-10a) completed the natural hat trick just :20 seconds into the second period when he kept the puck himself on a two-on-two and beat Parlee top shelf to extend Fresno's lead to 3-1. Fresno captain Jason Weaver then added to the advantage with his fourth of the year at 6:45 of the second, and Michael Kiesman tallied the eventual game-winner at 13:41, giving the Falcons a 5-1 edge.

The Wildcatters rallied, though, as Fresno played a bit lackadaisical the rest of the way. A fluke goal from behind the goal line in the left-wing corner by Keith Cassidy brought them to within three in the final minute of the second period. A power play marker scored by Cory Morgan followed by a short-handed tally from Tony Lawrence 1:54 apart inched Texas within a single goal six minutes into the final period. But Fresno's John Wroblewski put the game out of reach with his first professional goal on the power play at 14:40 to snuff out the Wildcatters' comeback attempt.

Bullock's three-goal effort is the Falcons' first hat trick of the season and keeps alive what has grown into a 10-game point streak to begin the campaign. Friesen's 34 saves helped the club overcome a 38-22 disparity in shots on goal.

Fresno concludes an 11-game road trip to begin the 2003-04 season on Friday, Nov. 14, at Long Beach against the Ice Dogs. The game can be heard on a tape-delayed basis on KAAT 103.1 FM beginning at approximately 10:30 p.m.

The Falcons then finally make their ECHL debut at home on Sunday, Nov. 16, at 5 p.m. against the Bakersfield Condors in their inaugural game at Save Mart Center at Fresno State. Single-game tickets for the entire 36-game home slate at Save Mart Center are on sale now and begin as low as $8. Order by phone at 485-TIXS, online by clicking the Ticketmaster icon at www.fresnofalcons.com or at any Ticketmaster location.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from November 11, 2003


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.

OurSports Central