Falcons Escape With Win in Home Opener

Published on October 19, 2002 under ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


FRESNO, Calif. – When the Fresno Falcons and Idaho Steelheads get together, 60 minutes never seems to be enough. Five months removed from their epic double-over time victory over the Steelheads in last season's Taylor Cup Finals, the Falcons again needed a little extra time to knock off the Steelheads. This time they rallied from a one-goal third period deficit to force a shootout, where they prevailed to beat the Steelheads, 2-1, in the team's home opener at Selland Arena. Jason Weaver did the honors of scoring the Falcons first goal of the 2002-03 season, as his was the Falcons lone tally in regulation. Terry Friesen made 28 saves between the pipes for the defending Taylor Cup Champions to help secure the team's first victory of the season.

Idaho opened up the scoring just 3:34 into the first frame when Marty Flichel flipped the puck past Friesen for the early 1-0 lead. The Steelheads held that lead through the second period, but not without a couple of scares. The Falcons had a pair of goals whipped off the board in the second frame to preserve Idaho's fragile one-goal lead. The Falcons finally managed to crack Idaho netminder Blair Allison in the third period when Weaver took a feed from Iain Fraser and put the puck in the back of the net to tie the score midway through the third period to force the shootout.

The shootout proved to be no contest, as Cory Murphy, Kevin Haupt and Scott Borders all beat Allison for goals while Friesen stopped three of the four shots he faced. Fresno continued to struggle on the power play, going scoreless in all seven of their power play chances. Fresno is still searching for their first power play goal of the season, having dropped to 0-18 after two games.

With the victory, Fresno improves their record to 1-1-0 with two points in the young season. For Idaho, it was their first defeat the season, dropping their record to 2-0-1 with five points. In the final home opener at Selland Arena for the Falcons, they improved their all time record to 4-4-0 in home openers.

These two teams will be back at it again tomorrow night at Selland Arena at 7:30 p.m. The first 5,000 fans through the doors will receive a free 2002-03 Falcons Magnet Schedule, courtesy of Spinal Health Center, Institute of Technology, New Rock 104.1 and KFRE WB 59. Tickets are on sale now at the Selland Arena box office, all Ticketmaster locations, or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.

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ECHL Stories from October 19, 2002


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