Curtin's Two Goals Lift Falcons to Overtime Victory

November 28, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


SAN DIEGO - Luke Curtin scored the game-tying goal late in regulation before tallying the game-winner to lead the Fresno Falcons to a 4-3 overtime win at San Diego's ipayOne Center on Sunday. Pete Fregoe added three assists and goaltender Brett Jaeger made 29 saves to aid in the winning effort.

Following a scoreless first period, J.F. Plourde poked in a rebound just 52 seconds into the middle period to give Fresno a 1-0 lead. San Diego responded by twice taking advantage of catching the Falcons in the midst of changing on the fly, setting-up a pair of odd-man rushes that resulted in goals. Dan DaSilva dumped in a rebound after teammate Richard Keyes was denied on a breakaway at 10:16 before the two hooked up on a two-on-one with the latter finishing at 14:17 to give the Gulls a 2-1 edge after two.

Derek Krestanovich pulled Fresno even when he knocked home a loose puck from the low slot at 5:01 of the third to tie the game at two. After killing off San Diego's first seven power plays, including three lengthy five-on-three situations, the Falcons' penalty kill finally yielded a power play goal to the Gulls as Jesse Bennefield scored at 11:50 to help his club forge ahead again, 3-2.

Curtin would force overtime by scoring the first of his two goals with 4:05 remaining in regulation off a scramble in front of the San Diego net. His team skating in overtime for the third consecutive game, Fresno's leading scorer then ended the proceedings with a slapshot from the far circle that somehow made its way through traffic and into the goal for the game-winner at 3:08 of the extra session.

The Falcons are now unbeaten over their last five games at 3-0-2 with all three victories coming against the Gulls. Fresno sits atop the ECHL's Pacific Division with a record of 9-3-3 and 21 points.

The Falcons now return home for three games next weekend at Save Mart Center beginning on Friday, Dec. 2, when they host the Johnstown Chiefs at 7 p.m. The Stockton Thunder visit Fresno on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. followed by the Alaska Aces on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 5 p.m.

Individual tickets are on sale now for all three games 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 November 28, 2005


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