Falcons Come up Short in Shootout Loss
December 8, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
Fresno, Calif. - Trying to win their sixth straight game at home, the Fresno Falcons lost in a shootout at Save Mart Center to the Greenville Grrrowl, 4-3, after twice relinquishing a two-goal lead.
Although both teams battled evenly during the first seven minutes of the game, the Falcons quickly took a commanding lead by scoring back-to-back goals within two minutes of each other. David Brisson scored the first goal during a power play 7:30 into the game, followed by Simon Mangos netting his second goal of the season at 8:59.
Greenville broke through at 13:46 of the second period when J. F. Plourde scored the Grrrowl's first goal of the night. Matt O'Dette quickly responded for Fresno by rocketing a slap shot from the right point, giving the Falcons their second two-goal lead of the night. But, the lead wouldn't last long. Martin St. Pierre, the leading rookie scorer in the ECHL, scored with less than a minute left in the period with a lethal wrist shot, cutting the Falcons' lead back to one.
The Grrrowl kept putting on the heat into the third period, while the Falcons continued to stay on their back heels. After numerous chances, Carl Mallette, the ECHL's leading scorer, put a rebound past Fresno goaltender Brett Jaeger, evening the score at three. Neither team scored the rest of the period, and the Falcons headed into their second overtime of the season.
The scoreless pace continued through overtime play. The Falcons and especially their captain, Dan Tessier, had several opportunities, but were all denied by the Grrrowl, which forced the game to a shootout.
Through four shooters, both teams had scored twice. Colin Pepperall of the Grrrowl then netted his shot past Jaeger, leaving it all up to Fresno's fifth shooter, Tessier. When the Falcons' captain missed, Greenville captured the 4-3 win.
The shootout loss ends a five-game home-winning streak for the Falcons and brings their record to 7-9-2. The Falcons now have a two-day rest, then return to the ice on Friday, Dec. 10, when they will meet the Bakersfield Condors at 7 p.m. at Save Mart Center.
The Falcons will hold their fifth annual Teddy Bear Toss during the game on Dec. 10. Fans are encouraged to bring brand new stuffed animals to the game and throw them onto the ice after Fresno scores their first goal. All new stuffed animals collected from the event will be donated to Children's Hospital Central California and Community Medical Center. Fans bringing a stuffed animal will also receive a free voucher for a Silver Section seat to an upcoming game.
Tickets are on sale for the game against the Condors for as low as $8 per seat and may be purchased directly at Save Mart Center's box office and all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 485-TIXS (8497) or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
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