Falcons Defeat Thunder 4-3

October 11, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


FRESNO, CALIF. - The Fresno Falcons ended the ECHL pre-season schedule with a 1-1 record after defeating the Stockton Thunder 4-3 on Saturday at Gateway Ice Center.

Mike Radja gave the Falcons a 2-0 lead with a pair of goals just 56 seconds apart in the first period. He scored a power-play goal at 13:46, then scored at even strength at 14:42, snapping a shot home from the right-wing circle.

Stockton pulled within one at 19:46 of the opening period on a power-play goal from Cory Urquhart.

Jarrett Konkle pushed Fresno's advantage back to two at 8:07 of the second period, finishing off a 3-on-0 rush. Goaltender Joe Fallon started the play with a long outlet pass to Kenny Bernard, who moved the puck to Konkle on the left-wing for a one-timer goal.

The Thunder again pulled within one at 11:19 on a Justin Chwedoruk shorthanded goal, and then pulled even just 14 seconds into the final period on a 5-on-3 power-play goal from Neil Petruic.

Peter MacArthur scored the game-winner for the Falcons at 17:52 of the third period, off an assist from Spencer Carbery.

The Falcons open the 2008-09 season on the road, taking on the Stockton Thunder on Saturday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Opening Night 2008 at Selland Arena is set for Friday, October 24, when the Falcons host their arch-rivals, the Bakersfield Condors, at 7:35 p.m. Season Ticket packages start at just $432, and are now available by calling the Falcons at (559) 485-7825.

Began in 1988-89 with five teams playing in four states, the Premier ‘AA' Hockey League has grown into a coast-to-coast league that will have 23 teams in 16 states and British Columbia playing 828 games from Oct. 17, 2008 to Apr. 4, 2009. Eighteen of the 23 teams have played at least five years in their current city.

The third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League, the ECHL averaged 4,174 per game last season, marking the fourth year in row and the 16th time in the last 18 years that the league has averaged over 4,000 fans. The league has drawn over four million fans each of the last five years and 11 times in the past 12 seasons.



ECHL Stories from October 11, 2008


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