Falcons Inch Closer to Playoff Berth

April 2, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Brett Jaeger made 58 saves and four different players scored goals to help lead the Fresno Falcons to a 4-2 victory over the Bakersfield Condors at Rabobank Arena.

Fresno's Mike Kiesman opened the scoring as the Falcons worked on the counterattack late in the first period. Brett Hammond rolled a puck up the near side for Kiesman, who cut in toward the goal and lifted the puck over Bakersfield goaltender Davis Parley as a Condor rode him down onto the ice for his fifth of the season at 16:54.

Lanny Gare then added to Fresno's 1-0 lead in the second period. With the Falcons on the power play, Shaun Sutter fed Gare, who fired a wrist shot top shelf from the left circle for his sixth of the year at 13:13 to give Fresno a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes despite getting out-shot 40-20.

Early in the third, Jim Lorentz gave the Falcons a three-goal cushion with a slapshot off a two-on-one for his sixth of the season at 2:49. As it turned out, the extra insurance was much-needed. Lars-Peder Nagel spoiled Jaeger's shutout bid at 11:04 with a power play goal before striking again at 18:31 with Parley on the bench in favor of an extra attacker to pull Bakersfield within a single tally. Fresno's Dan Tessier sealed the victory just after a mad scramble in front of Jaeger, though, with an empty-net goal from inside his own blueline at 19:24.

Jaeger's 58 saves tie a league season-high previously set by teammate Jamie Hodson during a 1-0 loss at Bakersfield on Feb. 11.

Fresno's record is now 38-22-8, and their 84 points place them two points behind the now fourth-place Condors in the race for the West Division's final playoff spot.

The Falcons now return home to play the final four games of the regular season at Save Mart Center beginning with a tilt against the Alaska Aces tomorrow at 7 p.m. followed by a clash with the Long Beach Ice Dogs on Sunday at 5 p.m. Regular-priced tickets are on sale for both games for as low as $8 per seat and may be purchased directly at the Save Mart Center box office and all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 485-TIXS (8497) or online at www.ticketmaster.com.



ECHL Stories from April 2, 2005


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