Falcons Fall Short in Shootout

December 2, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


The defending Taylor Cup Champion Fresno Falcons took the ice only once last week, falling short in a pre-Thanksgiving shootout to the San Diego Gulls, 3-2.

Fresno overcame a 2-1 third period deficit last Tuesday night at the San Diego Sports Arena when rookie Austin de Luis notched his sixth goal of the year to force the Falcons' third shootout of the season. Fresno's Terry Friesen and the Gulls' Trevor Koenig each stopped three of the first five shooters in the tie-breaker to force sudden death. Following a miss by de Luis, reigning WCHL Rookie of the Year Mike Garrow then beat Friesen as the Falcons lost to San Diego for just the first time in four games this season.

The shootout point keeps Fresno winless over their last three games and eight of their last 10. They begin this week in a fourth place tie in the WCHL with the Long Beach Ice Dogs at 7-8-2 and 16 points.

LIGHT SCHEDULE GIVES TIME TO MEND

For the second consecutive week the Falcons have just one game on the slate. Their first look at the Ice Dogs this Saturday, Dec. 7, ends a 10-day respite for the club and is the team's only game during a stretch of 16 days. Four of the Falcons' top six forwards missed last Tuesday's tilt with San Diego. Assistant captain Joe Frederick is most likely done for the year with a shoulder injury, but captain Jason Weaver, leading scorer Kris Porter and former NHL'er Iain Fraser all hope the time off allows them back in the line-up against Long Beach.

FALCONS GET IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

Saturday's game will feature the team's 3rd Annual Teddy Bear Toss courtesy of Gottschalks. Fans are encouraged to bring a brand new stuffed animal to the game. Once the Falcons score their first goal, the crowd will throw their stuffed animals onto the ice, which will then be collected and donated to the children at University Medical Center.

The players will also wear holiday jerseys against the Ice Dogs. The team will auction off the special edition jerseys following the game with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the construction of Community Medical Center's new trauma and critical care building in downtown Fresno.

Finally, the first 5,000 fans at Saturday's game will receive the official 2002-2003 Falcons team photo sponsored by ValPrint and Baja Fresh. Tickets are still available for the game on the 7th at the Selland Arena box office, all Ticketmaster outlets or by going on-line at www.Ticketmaster.com.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

The Falcons will practice all week at Gateway Ice Center in advance of Saturday's game. They take the ice this morning at 11:30 a.m. and at 10 a.m. tomorrow and Wednesday. Thursday's practice time is 11:15 a.m., and Friday they skate at 10 a.m. Saturday's pre-game skate is at 10 a.m. at Selland Arena.



ECHL Stories from December 2, 2002


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