Falcons' Comeback Effort Thwarted

January 1, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


WHEELING, W. Va. - The Fresno Falcons, who trailed 4-0 mid-way through the second period, scored three unanswered goals to close the gap to a single goal late in the third period before ultimately losing to the Wheeling Nailers at WesBanco Arena, 4-3.

The Nailers took an early 1-0 lead by converting on the game's first power play. Brendon Hodge fired a low slapshot from just inside the blueline that beat Fresno goaltender Jamie Hodson to the blocker side at 1:48. Wheeling added to its lead with another shot from the point, this time through a screen off the stick of Cliff Loya at 11:01, that put the Falcons in a 2-0 hole heading to the second.

Wheeling continued to build their advantage in the middle period with a pair of goals from Ed McGrane at 4:39 and 12:32. Now trailing 4-0, Fresno pulled Hodson in favor of Brett Jaeger, who was immediately tested when Cam Paddock was awarded a penalty shot at 14:41 of the second. Jaeger stopped Paddock on the free bid with a glove save, as well as all 12 official shots he would see in his 26:15 of action throughout the remainder of the game.

Following Jaeger's penalty shot save, the Nailers took a pair of minor penalties at 16:01 of the second, and Fresno struck twice to get back in the game. David Brisson got the Falcons on the board while skating five-on-three at 16:27 before Derek Krestanovich deflected a shot from the point just :51 seconds later on the ensuing five-on-four.

Trailing 4-2 as the third began, Fresno inched closer when Greg Keith's centering pass after a rush up the left wing banked in off a Wheeling skate to close the game to a single goal at 13:51. Skating with the extra attacker in the waning moments of regulation, Dan Tessier set-up Sam Ftorek for a clean one-timer from the slot that narrowly missed sending the game to overtime at the buzzer.

Despite the comeback effort, Wheeling's domination through the first half of the game dropped the Falcons' record to 12-13-3 as the calendar turns to 2005.

Fresno continues its five-game swing through the ECHL's North Division tomorrow when they visit the Johnstown (Pa.) Chiefs. All of the live play-by-play action can be heard on 103.1 FM, The Mountain Cat, beginning at 3:50 p.m. Pacific time with the pre-game show.

The team's next home game is Tuesday, Jan. 4, at 7 p.m. when the Peoria Rivermen visit Save Mart Center. Tickets are now on sale 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.



ECHL Stories from January 1, 2005


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