
Falcons Falter in Opener
October 23, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
Fresno, Calif. - Playing their first season opener at home since 1995, the Fresno Falcons surrendered three power play goals to the Las Vegas Wranglers en route to a 5-1 loss at Save Mart Center on Friday in front of a crowd of 5,323.
The visitors jumped on top by converting on the game's first man advantage situation when Morten Ask lasered a shot through a screen and over goaltender Simon Lajeunesse's left shoulder at 9:47 of the opening period. Las Vegas applied more pressure and quickly struck again, this time at even strength, as Christian Chartier came from behind the net to beat Lajeunesse less then 90 seconds later. They added to their 2-0 lead by converting on their second power play chance of the game off a rebound by Jason McBain at 16:14.
Fresno gained the momentum briefly after Dan Tessier found Jason Weaver on the doorstep by himself for a power play marker just :37 seconds into the second period, cutting the Las Vegas lead to 3-1. Any hopes of mounting a comeback, though, were essentially quashed when the Falcons yielded another power play goal at 5:44 of the middle period to the Wranglers' Dustin Johner.
Out-shot 35-12 through 40 minutes, Fresno began to sustain some offensive pressure in the third when they out-gunned Las Vegas, 16-7, but they failed to sneak another past Wranglers netminder Sebastien Centomo. Dana Lattery tacked on the game's final goal at 8:12 of the third for the final 5-1 margin.
The 0-1-0 Falcons now turn their sights on the San Diego Gulls, whom they face on Saturday at the San Diego Sports Arena. The game can be heard live on 103.1 FM, The Mountain Cat, beginning at 7 p.m. with the pre-game show. The puck is expected to drop at around 7:15 p.m.
Fresno then returns home on Sunday to battle the Victoria Salmon Kings at Save Mart Center at 5 p.m. It is the first Falcons Family Day featuring four tickets, four hot dogs and four soft drinks for just $40.
Single-game tickets for all 35 remaining regular season home games at Save Mart Center are now on sale for as low as $8 per seat. Tickets may be purchased directly at Save Mart Center's box office and all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 485-TIXS (8497) or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
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