Falcons Advance to National Conference Finals
Published on May 7, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
FRESNO, Calif. - John Wroblewski scored twice and Jamie Holden made 35 saves to help lead the Fresno Falcons to a 4- 2 win over the Bakersfield Condors in Game Seven of the Pacific Division Finals at Save Mart Center. Fresno now moves on to the next round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs where they will face the Alaska Aces in the best-of-seven National Conference Finals beginning Monday, May 8, at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage.
Wroblewski opened the scoring just 3:47 into the game after he and his linemates Rob McFeeters and Kelsey Muench kept Bakersfield pinned deep in their own zone. The trio worked to eventually spring Wroblewski through the left circle, who went top shelf for his second of the post-season.
The Condors tied the game at one in the second period when Sean Venedam unleashed a perfect shot over Holden's shoulder off a clean face-off win from Dave Bonk at 5:10. Fresno responded with the only power play goal for either team on the evening. Shawn Mather's initial re-direct was denied by Condors goaltender Ryan Munce, but he reeled in the puck to find Ray DiLauro back-door, who finished at 10:28 to give the Falcons a 2-1 lead heading the third.
Bakersfield's Andrew Ianiero was credited with a fluky goal 1:28 into the third that pinballed off a Falcons skate and past Holden to tie the game at two. But just 28 seconds later, Fresno received a fluky goal in return when Rob McFeeters' wrist shot along the ice somehow eluded Munce five-hole, restoring the Falcons' one-goal advantage. Wroblewski then added an insurance marker on a wrap-around at 5:47 to give his team some breathing room the rest of the way to the 4-2 final.
After Monday's Game One, Fresno and Alaska will square-off in Game Two on Wednesday, May 10. Both games can be heard live on 1550 Sporting News Radio beginning with the FutureTek Pre-game Show at 8:00 p.m. each evening. Fans may also view both games online courtesy of B2 Networks, which can be accessed via the Falcons home page at www.fresnofalcons.com.
The series then shifts to Save Mart Center for Games Three and Four on Friday and Saturday, May 12 and 13, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are already on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets and Save Mart Center's box office beginning as low as $14 for Silver Section seats and just $10 for Student Section seats.
If necessary, Game Five would be played on Tuesday, May 16, at Save Mart Center before Games Six and Seven would return to Anchorage on May 19 and 22, respectively.
ECHL Stories from May 7, 2006
- Falcons Advance to National Conference Finals - Fresno Falcons
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
