Curtin Scores Four in 5-2 Win

October 29, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


LONG BEACH, Calif. - Fresno Falcons winger Luke Curtin became the eighth player in team history to register four goals in a single game as he led his team to a 5-2 win against the Long Beach Ice Dogs Friday at Long Beach Arena.

The Falcons successfully weathered an initial storm by the Ice Dogs through the game's first five minutes to draw first blood at 10:26 of the opening period. Derek Krestanovich found Curtin, who spun and fired top shelf from the slot for his first goal as a Falcon. Just 37 seconds later, though, Long Beach's Ash Goldie tied the game at one with an unassisted goal after the teams traded odd-man rushes that included Goldie hitting the post on a previous foray into the Fresno zone. The Falcons re-gained the lead at 17:23 of the first when Cory Murphy beat Ice Dogs netminder Greg Hewitt with a one-timer from the right circle while Fresno skated on a two-man advantage to end the period with a 2-1 edge.

Fresno extended its lead to 3-1 three minutes into the second period. Curtin was sprung up the right wing leading a two-on-one. He decided to keep it himself and beat Hewitt from the base of the right circle for his second tally of the game. Still leading by a pair and looking to add more while skating on the power play with about five minutes left in the second, the Falcons' Murphy had the puck taken away by Christian Larrivee as the Fresno d-man had trouble corralling a clearing attempt in the neutral zone. Larrivee scored on the ensuing shorthanded breakaway to move the Dogs within a goal heading to the third despite having been outshot 24-13.

Long Beach relentlessly pressured the Falcons through the first 10 minutes of the frame in search of the equalizer, but Curtin sealed the victory single-handedly. Mid-way through the period Fresno went on the power play during which Curtin sent a slapshot toward the goal from the blue line that eluded Hewitt to complete the hat trick at 10:35. He then notched his fourth tally of the contest at 14:43 by sliding a backhand over the goal line through a scramble in the low slot.

Brett Jaeger made 24 saves in the win as the Falcons remain atop the Pacific Division with a record of 3-0-0 to begin the 2005-06 regular season. The perfect record marks the first time in their professional history that the club has begun a season with three straight wins

The Falcons return home to face the Idaho Steelheads tomorrow and Sunday at Save Mart Center. Tomorrow's game begins at 7 p.m. and features rally towels for the first 2,000 fans courtesy of California Transplant Donor Network.

Sunday's tilt begins at 5 p.m. with the first 2,000 fans receiving the first in a series of five Falcons posters compliments of Supercuts. Kids 12 and under are free, as they are at all Sunday Falcons games this season. Also, fans are encouraged to dress-up for Halloween and invited to trick-or-treat with the Falcons players on the arena concourse following the game. Please note, adults will not be allowed to wear masks inside Save Mart Center.

Single-game tickets for tomorrow and Sunday's games against the Steelheads are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets and Save Mart Center's box office. Prices range from $8 - $23. For complete ticket information and an arena map of Save Mart Center, visit www.fresnofalcons.com/singletickets.html, or contact the Falcons front office directly at (559) 485-PUCK (7825).



ECHL Stories from October 29, 2005


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