Falcons Battle from Behind but Eventually Fall in Shootout

Published on December 11, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Pete Fregoe and J.F. Plourde both scored to help the Fresno Falcons overcome a 2-0 deficit to begin the third period, but the Alaska Aces eventually prevailed in a shootout by a final of 3-2 at Sullivan Arena in the finale of four straight games between the two clubs. After a 5-1 setback on Sunday, Dec. 4, in Fresno, the Falcons took Alaska to at least overtime during all three games this week in Anchorage, picking up three points in the standings against the league's hottest team.

Alaska drew first blood for the fourth straight game when Barrett Heisten re-directed the puck past Fresno goaltender Brett Jaeger while sliding down on the ice at 9:10 of the first. The Aces then capitalized on a four-on-three power play at 11:30 off a goal by Peter Metcalf, who sent a wrist shot past Jaeger to put the Falcons in a 2-0 hole after 20 minutes.

Fresno stayed within two thanks to its penalty kill during the second period. The Falcons killed all six Aces power plays during the frame, including 2:45 of five-on-three hockey, to reach the third still down 2-0.

Fregoe finally solved Alaska netminder Chris Beckford-Tseu at 3:02 of the final period when he wristed home a rebound after Plourde stole an outlet pass. Fresno out-shot the Aces 13-7 during the third and found the equalizer off Plourde's stick at 17:01 when he re-directed a pass from Cory Murphy past the glove side of Beckford-Tseu.

On into overtime the teams went for the third consecutive game, and just like the previous two, Alaska skated away with the two points. After a scoreless overtime, Alaska's Vladimir Novak and Barrett Heisten scored against Jaeger, and only Murphy managed to tally past Beckford-Tseu, securing the Aces' 10th straight victory.

For the effort, Fresno earns one point in the standings and continues to lead the Pacific Division with a record of 10-4-7 and 27 points, five points ahead of the tied-for-second-place Long Beach Ice Dogs and San Diego Gulls.

The Falcons continue a six-game road trip next week when they travel east to play three games against two teams from the ECHL's North Division. They will face-off against the fabled Johnstown Chiefs on Friday, Dec. 16, before clashing twice with the division-leading Reading Royals on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17 and 18.

Fresno will then return home to Save Mart Center to take on the Stockton Thunder on Monday, Dec. 26, at 5 p.m. Admission for children ages 12 and under is free, and the first 2,000 fans will receive a Falcons holiday poster.

Individual tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets and Save Mart Center's box office with prices ranging from $8 - $22. 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).

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ECHL Stories from December 11, 2005


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