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Falcons Clinch Home Ice in First Round with OT Win

March 30, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


Fresno, Calif. - Mike Ramsay scored 2:28 into overtime on Sunday lifting the Fresno Falcons to a 5-4 win over the Victoria Salmon Kings in front of 3,971 fans at Save Mart Center. With the win, the Falcons clinch home-ice advantage in the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

For the first time in five games, the Falcons scored the game's first goal. Luke Curtin moved the puck from the blue line to Kenny Bernard, who kicked the puck free to himself at the top of the Victoria crease, and swept a shot past goaltender Julien Ellis 4:06 into the opening period.

The Salmon Kings answered right back, tying the score at 5:57. Chris St. Jacques centered in front for Darryl Lloyd, who reached his stick out and nudged a shot past Jake Moreland for his ninth goal of the season.

Bernard put Fresno back on top with his second goal of the night 2:23 into the second period. Stuart MacRae's initial shot was stopped by Ellis, but Bernard picked up the rebound and wristed a shot over the downfallen goaltender to give the Falcons a 2-1 edge.

Fresno extended the lead to two with a power-play goal at 5:15. Igor Gongalsky fed a cross-crease pass to Brady Leisenring on the near post, and he swept the puck past Ellis for his 25th of the season, giving Fresno a 3-1 advantage.

Derek Krestanovich pulled the Salmon Kings back within one at the 12:17 mark, snapping a shot past Moreland from the right-wing circle.

Fresno got an insurance goal from Matt Stefanishion just 51 seconds into the third period to take a 4-2 lead. Stefanishion picked up a loose puck at the Victoria blue line, skated in alone, and beat Ellis with a wrist shot for his 20th goal of the year.

But, the Salmon Kings again made it a one-goal game at 11:34 as Wes Goldie scored a shorthanded goal, beating Moreland with a quick wrist shot from the right-wing circle.

Ash Goldie pulled Victoria even at 17:31, flipping a rebound past Moreland for his 39th goal of the year.

Ramsay notched the winner 2:28 into overtime, sweeping home the rebound of a Josh Prudden shot for his 18th goal of the season.

Fresno plays its final regular-season game ever at Save Mart Center on Tuesday, hosting the Stockton Thunder at 7:00 p.m. on Fan Appreciation Night, presented by the U.S. Army. The first 2,000 fans in attendance receive a set of Falcons' trading cards, and during the first intermission, the finals of the Central Valley Pushup Challenge take place on the ice. It's also a Two-for-Tuesday, presented by Carl's Jr., KMPH Fox 26, and KRZR 103.7 FM. Fans can stop by any local Carl's Jr. and pick up a voucher allowing them to purchase one ticket at regular price and get a second ticket for free.



ECHL Stories from March 30, 2008


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