Falcons Fall in Stockton 4-2

Published on April 4, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


Stockton, Calif. - The Fresno Falcons fell to the Stockton Thunder 4-2 on Wednesday in front of 6,596 fans at Stockton Arena in their final road game of the regular season.

The Falcons ended an 0-for-19 drought on the power play midway through the first period to take a 1-0 lead into the locker room after 20 minutes of play. John Morlang moved the puck to Dustin VanBallegooie at the blue line, and his shot from the center point eluded goaltender Devan Dubnyk for his 11th goal of the season.

Stockton pulled even 14:49 into the second period on a goal-mouth scramble. Ryan MacDonald made two quick saves, but the Falcons could not clear the rebound, and Colin Pepperall lifted a shot over MacDonald's glove from the right-wing circle for his 10th goal of the year.

The Thunder wasted no time taking their first lead of the night just 43 seconds later as Stephane Goulet got behind the Falcons' defense, and beat MacDonald with a shot off the backhand for his 17th of the season.

Liam Reddox extended the Thunder lead to 3-1 at 19:39, sending a shot to the front of the net that deflected off of MacDonald's skate and rolled just across the line.

Reddox tallied his second of the night 7:45 into the third period, flipping a shot over the blocker pad of Scott Stirling, who replaced MacDonald at the start of the period, giving Stockton a 4-1 advantage.

The Falcons closed to within two at 12:15 as Matt O'Dette sprung Brian McConnell on a breakaway, and McConnell blasted a shot past Dubnyk from the left-wing circle for his eighth goal of the year.

Fresno's loss, coupled with Victoria's win over Phoenix, keeps the Falcons' magic number at one for clinching sixth place in the National Conference. The Falcons need to gain one point, or have the Salmon Kings lose one point, in the final two games of the season to finish in the sixth spot.

The Falcons return home on Friday, hosting the Long Beach Ice Dogs at 7:30 p.m. The first 2,000 fans in attendance receive a Luke Curtin Bobblehead, courtesy of Eye-Q Vision Care, KSEE 24, and New Rock 104.1. Prior to Friday's game, the Falcons will hand out their 2006-07 team awards, as voted on by the players and coaching staff. Two lucky fans at Friday's game will win a trip for two to Cancun, courtesy of Pro Travel Network. Friday's game airs live on the Internet at www.fresnofalcons.com starting with the Port of Subs Pre-Game Show at 7:20. The game airs on 1550 Sporting News Radio on a tape-delayed basis following Fresno Grizzlies' baseball.

Tickets for all Falcons home games can be purchased at the Save Mart Center Box Office, by phone at (559) 485-8497, on-line at www.ticketmaster.com, or at any TicketMaster outlet. All Falcons' games air on 1550 Sporting News Radio starting with the Port of Subs Pre-Game Show 15 minutes prior to face off.

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