Falcons Come Up Huge In Game 3; Gulls Now Lead Series 2-1
Published on May 1, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release
FRESNO, Calif. ââ Cory Murphy and Glen Gulutzan scored 54 seconds apart in the third period, lifting the Fresno Falcons to a 4-3 win in Game 3 of the Taylor Cup Finals. The San Diego Gulls now lead the best-of-seven series 2-1.
The game was tied heading into the third period and the Gulls were conceivably 20 minutes away from taking a 3-0 series lead, but that's when the Falcons turned up the juice and got themselves right back into the championship round.
It was a seesaw battle during the first two periods. Fresno drew first blood on Kayle Short's first playoff goal 4:14 into the opening period. Short took a pass at the blue line from David Hass and flung a shot that pin-balled its way to the San Diego net and behind Trevor Koenig.
The lead was short-lived though as Sylvain Deschatelets quickly tied it up with a power-play goal at 7:53. Mark Pederson snatched a pass from Dennis Purdie and quickly whipped it to Deschatelets, who beat Terry Friesen for his league-leading sixth postseason tally.
Jason Weaver regained the Fresno advantage with a wrap-around goal at 17:32 of the first. It was Weaver's third goal of the playoffs, but only first point of the series.
Both Friesen and Koenig exchanged some big saves during the second period and it looked like the Falcons were going to be able to take their 2-1 lead into the third, but another weird goal â very similar to Fresno's first â knotted the game at two apiece.
On San Diego's tying tally at 17:39 of the middle frame, Mike Garrow got off a weak backhander from the blue line that flip-flopped to the Fresno net, then took a few more bounces off Friesen's leg and shoulder and finally trickled over the goal line. It was Garrow's second goal of the postseason and second in as many games.
Murphy put the Falcons ahead for the third time â and for good â with his second tally 4:37 into the third period. With the man advantage, Murphy held the puck just inside the blue line before he finally snapped off a wrist shot that beat Koenig high glove-side.
Gulutzan then potted his fourth of the playoffs at 5:31, which proved to be huge because the Gulls came knocking on the door 10 minutes later. Dennis Purdie made it a one-goal game with his fourth at 15:33, but that's as close as the Blue and Orange could get.
Notes: Pederson has now scored at least one point in seven of San Diego's eight playoff games. He and Gulutzan are tied for the league lead with 11 points... Kevin Grant still leads the league with eight assists... Dean Tiltgen missed tonight's game with a groin injury, suffered in Game 2. He's expected back for Game 4 on Friday... San Diego is 19-10 all-time in the Taylor Cup Finals... The Gulls are 12-8 all-time against Fresno in the playoffs (2-5 at Selland Arena)...
Games 4 and 5 of the finals are Friday and Saturday at Selland Arena, both starting at 7:30 p.m. If necessary, San Diego will host games 6 and 7 May 10 and May 11. All games can be heard live on AM1130-KSDO with Chris Ello calling the play-by-play. You can listen to the Gulls Internet Radio Show's archives anytime on wsradio.com, with Tera Black and Jeremy Zager hosting.
ECHL Stories from May 1, 2003
- New Contest on WCHL.com - San Diego Gulls
- Taylor Cup Finals Games Four and Five on Tap - Fresno Falcons
- Florio Won't Be Back - Alaska Aces
- All Along The Coast - ECHL
- Vitucci Leaves Grrrowl After Five Seasons - Greenville Grrrowl
- Chiefs Complete Trade With Augusta - Johnstown Chiefs
- Boardwalk Bullies Week in Review - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
- Falcons Get on the Board in the Series - Fresno Falcons
- Falcons Come Up Huge In Game 3; Gulls Now Lead Series 2-1 - San Diego Gulls
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