Falcons Fall to Thunder in Pre-Season Opener

October 11, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


Fresno, Calif. - The Fresno Falcons dropped their pre-season opener on Wednesday night, falling to the Stockton Thunder 4-3 at Save Mart Center.

The Falcons struck first 2:45 into the opening period, taking advantage of a Stockton turnover. Chris Eade stole the puck at the Thunder blue line, found Brett McConnachie all alone at the hash marks, and McConnachie beat goaltender Pat Conacher with a quick wrist shot to give Fresno the 1-0 lead.

Fresno doubled its lead at 13:18, again capitalizing on a Thunder giveaway. Matt Quinn took possession in the left-wing circle, and rifled a shot past Conacher to make it 2-0.

Stockton got on the scoreboard at 16:54 of the opening period with a power-play goal. Ryan Geris took a pass from Andy Contois and beat Sebastien Centomo with a long slap shot from the blue line.

The Thunder added two more power-play tallies in the second period to take a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes. Geoff Paukovich tied the score at 5:54, beating Centomo with a rebound at the top of the crease. Jacob Micflikier gave Stockton the lead just 1:12 later as his shot from the circle deflected off of a Falcons' stick and past Centomo.

Paukovich scored his second of the night at 11:36 of the third period on a goal-mouth scramble to extend Stockton's lead to two goals.

The Falcons pulled within one with 24.1 seconds remaining as Jarrett Konkle pushed a rebound past Bill Zaniboni on the near post for a power-play goal.

Fresno and Stockton complete their pre-season schedules on Saturday, as the Falcons head north for a 7:30 p.m. face-off at Stockton Arena. Radio coverage on 790 ESPN Radio, The Deuce begins at 7:25.

The Falcons open the 2007-08 regular season on Friday, October 19, hosting the Las Vegas Wranglers at 7:30 p.m. for an Opening Night Extravaganza, presented by Eye Q Vision Care. The first 1,000 kids 12 and under receive a replica Luke Curtin Falcons' jersey. Opening Night is also "Soccer Night in Fresno" and "Rally Around Citizens with Disabilities Night." For more information on either of these promotions, call the Falcons at (559) 485-7825.

Season tickets for the 2007-08 season of Falcons' hockey are now available. Guarantee yourself the best seat in the house for all 36 action packed games. For more information, call the Falcons at (559) 485-7825.



ECHL Stories from October 11, 2007


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