Falcons Hold Off Gulls
October 30, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
FRESNO, Calif. â Things always seem to get interesting when the Fresno Falcons and San Diego Gulls get together for a little hockey. Falcons rookie Colin Embley had a pair of goals and an assist and four other Falcons tallied goals as Fresno held off several San Diego comebacks to win, 6-4, Tuesday evening at Selland Arena. The Falcons have now won the first four games of their franchise record nine-game homestand.
The Gulls drew first blood late in the first period when Mike Garrow ripped a shot from near the blue line to give San Diego the 1-0 lead. Austin de Luis responded for the Falcons just 22 seconds later when he hooked up with Alex Todd to beat Gulls goaltender Trevor Koenig and knot the game at one apiece.
In the second period, Fresno didn't waste any time breaking the stalemate when Embley took a feed from Jason Weaver and found the back of the net just 1:18 into the frame for the 2-1 lead. With the Falcons down a man just three minutes later, Weaver gave the Falcons their first two-goal advantage with his shorthanded goal at the 4:27 mark. After the Gulls cut Fresno's lead back down to one a couple of minutes later, Frederick put the Falcons back on top by two with his second goal of the season as the Falcons took a 4-2 lead into the final period of play.
San Diego's Dean Tiltgen made the game interesting in the third period as he notched his first of two goals on the evening just 2:16 into the frame to bring the Gulls back within one. Two and half minutes later, Kris Porter became the fifth Falcon on the night to light lamp with his power play goal that put the Falcons out in front 5-3, their third two-goal lead of the game. The Gulls, however, battled back as Tiltgen managed to score his second goal of the night midway through the period to make it a one-goal hockey game again. The Falcons stood their ground for the final 10 minutes of the contest and Embley sealed the victory with his second goal of the game on an empty netter with 20 seconds left.
Special teams were out in full force as the Falcons converted on one of their three power play opportunities. At the same time, Fresno was able to limit San Diego to only two goals in nine power play chances. Goaltender Terry Friesen turned in 29 saves for his third victory of the season.
With the win, the Falcons take sole possession of second place in the West Coast Hockey League with a mark of 4-1-0 and 8 points. They are now one point ahead of the Gulls, who are winless in their last five games. Both teams trail the Idaho Steelheads for first place.
The Falcons will look to avenge their opening night loss when they return to the ice on Friday, Nov. 1, when the Bakersfield Condors make their first trip to Selland Arena this season for a 7:30 p.m. showdown. Friday night's game will feature free Travel Mugs courtesy of Pizza Factory, KFRE WB 59 and Alice 102.7. 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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