Falcons Clip RoadRunners 3-2 In 20-Round Shootout

November 6, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release


PHOENIX, Ariz. - Gerald Coleman had 31 saves but let by six goals in a 20-round shootout as the Phoenix RoadRunners lost to the Fresno Falcons 3-2 in a shootout Wednesday night in front of 2,466 fans at US Airways Center.

The first period started off with a lot of neutral zone play between the two teams, as neither could keep control in their own zone for much time. Fresno (6-2-0) was able to get on the board first though when Igor Gongalsky took a pass from Daryl Marcoux and scored at 10:58, giving the Falcons the 1-0 lead.

Phoenix (5-2-2) came back and tied the game 1-1 47 seconds later when Kimbi Daniels centered a pass to Matt Fornataro to score at 11:45. Mitch Carefoot had the other assist. The score would remain tied going into the first intermission as the RoadRunners outshot Fresno 17-8.

"We do a good job responding," Head Coach Brad Church said of the RoadRunners scoring so quickly after Fresno's goal. "We came out well in the first period, we had a good start."

The second period was scoreless for both teams as the RoadRunners were unable to capitalize on a 5-on-3 power play to start off the period, then again halfway through the period when they had a 4-minute power play. Phoenix did, however, kill off two penalties towards the end of the second as they outshot the Falcons 11-7 and took the tie into the locker room for the second intermission.

The RoadRunners then took a 2-1 lead early in the third period on a shorthanded goal when Brett Peterson fed the puck to Gino Guyer who scored 5-hole on Falcon goalie Michael Ouzas from the slot. After that, however, Phoenix fell apart as they allowed Fresno to get 16 shots on net, including a game-tying goal with five seconds remaining in regulation from Matt Stefanishion on the right side of Coleman. Adam Berti had the assist on the goal that was scored with an extra attacker on the ice for Fresno because Ouzas was pulled from the net.

"We still have to work on our composure in the third period," Church said, adding that the team loses focus of the game plan late in the game. "We're playing to hang on, not playing to win, and we have to change that."

In overtime the RoadRunners outshot Fresno 5-2 and had a power play for the final minute but neither team could get the win in the five minutes as the game went to a shootout. Then in the 20th round of the shootout Spencer Carbery netted the biscuit past Coleman and gave Fresno the 3-2 win.

"I've never seen a 20-round shootout," said Church, adding that both goaltenders made some great saves. Talking about Thursday's rematch between the two clubs, Church said, "We've got to play the same way but stay composed, we can't sit back and hit the panic button. We have to be consistent."

Ouzas had 37 saves and went 5-20 in the shootout. The RoadRunners take on Fresno again Thursday night at 7:05 at US Airways Center.

The RoadRunners and Fresno Falcons conclude their two-game series at 7:05 p.m. Thursday at US Airways Center.

Great seats are still available beginning as low as $8 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (480) 784-4444, purchasing online ticketmaster.com or visiting the US Airways Center Box Office. Information on season tickets, half-season packages, and flex plans for the 2008-09 season of Phoenix RoadRunners Hockey are available by calling (602) 462-GOAL.



ECHL Stories from November 6, 2008


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