Falcons Edge Thunder 3-2 in Season Opener
October 18, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
STOCKTON, CALIF. - The Fresno Falcons opened the 2008-09 season with a 3-2 win over the Stockton Thunder on Saturday in front of 8,723 fans at Stockton Arena.
The Thunder scored the lone goal of the opening period as Mike Lalonde notched a power-play tally at 16:46.
Stockton held the one-goal lead until late in the second period when the Falcons erupted for three goals in a span of 2:42. Jarrett Konkle started the Falcons' rally at 16:49, and Peter MacArthur gave Fresno the lead with his first professional goal at 18:12. Just over a minute later, Mike Radja added his first professional goal at 19:31 to give Fresno a two-goal lead heading into the final period.
Robbie Bina pulled Stockton back within one on the Thunder's second power-play goal of the night 12:43 into the third period, but that was as close as Stockton would get.
Joe Fallon recorded the win in goal for the Falcons in his pro debut, turning aside 32 Thunder shots. MacArthur and Radja both recorded a goal and an assist, while new Falcons' captain Kenny MacAulay notched a pair of assists in the win.
Opening Night 2008 at Selland Arena is set for Friday, when the Falcons host their arch-rivals, the Bakersfield Condors, at 7:35 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Selland Arena Box Office, or through TicketMaster by calling (559) 485-TIXS or at www.ticketmaster.com.
Began in 1988-89 with five teams playing in four states, the Premier âAA' 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.
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