
Deschamps Caps Come-from-behind Overtime Win
March 19, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
FRESNO, Calif. - After his team battled back from a 3-1 deficit mid-way through the second period, Fresno Falcons defenseman Matt Deschamps delivered the game-winning goal 3:21 into overtime off a blast from the right wing boards to defeat the Long Beach Ice Dogs, 4-3, in front of a season-high crowd of 10,814 at Save Mart Center.
Although Shawn Mather gave the Falcons the lead 7:01 into the first with his 27th of the year, the opening period was controlled by the visitors for the most part. The Ice Dogs tied the game at 10:29 when Sean McAslan banged in a rebound. Long Beach then took a 2-1 lead after Mac Faulkner found the back of the net at 16:41.
Fresno fell into a deeper hole at 10:02 of the second. On the power play, Mike Vellinga teed one up from inside the blue line that eluded Falcons goaltender Jamie Holden through a screen to give the visitors a 3-1 advantage. Fresno cut into the deficit with a power play goal from J.F. Plourde at 16:14. He was set-up by Dustin VanBallegooie and Luke Curtin, whose assist tied an all-time Falcons team record by extending his current point streak to 16 consecutive games dating back to Feb. 11.
Leading 3-2 in the third, the Ice Dogs skated on the power play looking for an insurance goal. Instead, Fresno's Brett Hammond stole a pass in the neutral zone and was the recipient of a gorgeous return feed from Curtin to finish off a two-on-one, short handed goal, which tied the game at three 7:11 into the final period. Neither team scored the rest of the way, and the game headed to overtime.
Deschamps' game-winner came off a rush up the right wing boards. He fired a slapshot past the glove side of Long Beach goaltender Greg Hewitt, ringing it off the inside of the right post for his second goal of the season.
The victory lifted the Falcons to 37-11-13 on the year and dropped their magic number to clinch the Pacific Division title to 7 standings points. Fresno remains unbeaten against the division with a record of 20-0-6, and their 87 points give them a 12-point edge over the second-place Ice Dogs.
The team next travels to Idaho for three games against the Steelheads on March 22, 24, and 25. All three games can be heard live on 1550 Sporting News Radio beginning with the FutureTek Pre-game Show at 5:45 p.m. Pacific each evening. Fans may also view the games online courtesy of B2 Networks, which can be accessed via the Falcons home page at www.fresnofalcons.com.
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