Falcons Let Third Period Lead Slip Away

October 30, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno Falcons took a three-goal lead 34 seconds into the third period but saw it slip away in less than 10 minutes as the Idaho Steelheads defeated the Falcons 7-6 in a shootout at Save Mart Center. Both teams entered the game atop their respective divisions with identical 3-0-0 records.

Fresno struck twice in the game's first 6:21 off goals by Fraser Clair and J.F. Plourde, the latter coming on the power play. Idaho established the theme of the night early on and overcame the deficit on the strength of tallies from Scott Burt and Garrett Bembridge, whose marker tied the game at two 1:54 into the second period.

Again the Falcons bolted to a two-goal edge. Pete Fregoe sent home a rebound on the power play at 4:25 of the second before Luke Curtin, coming off a four-goal outburst last night in a 5-2 win at Long Beach, scored an unassisted, shorthanded goal at 8:24 for his fifth goal in two games. Idaho's Brad Thompson answered at 14:39, but Fresno's Shawn Mather restored the two-goal lead at 17:30 as the Falcons took a 5-3 advantage to the third.

Mather's second of the night in the first minute of the third period on the power play gave Fresno its largest cushion of the game at 6-3. However, the Steelheads' comeback began immediately off the ensuing face-off when Mike Stutzel drew his team back to within two just seven seconds later. Bembridge sliced the lead to one at 2:57 on the power play, and the comeback was complete at 9:42 when Burt tallied his second of the evening.

Both teams had chances in the overtime session with Stutzel hitting the post for the Steelheads, and the Falcons generating chances off a four-on-three power play. Through 65 minutes of hockey, the teams remained tied at six and headed to a shootout.

Steve Silverthorn, making his professional debut in goal for Idaho, stopped all four Fresno shooters in the shootout, while Marty Flichel and D'Arcy McConvey managed to beat Falcons netminder Brett Jaeger to capture the win and two points in the standings for the visitors.

Despite the setback, Fresno remains unbeaten to begin the season at 3-0-1 and still holds first place in the Pacific Division with seven points.

The same two teams face-off again tomorrow at 5 p.m. with the first 2,000 fans receiving the first in a series of five Falcons posters compliments of Supercuts. Kids 12 and under are free, as they are at all Sunday Falcons games this season. Also, fans are encouraged to dress-up for Halloween and invited to trick-or-treat with the Falcons players on the arena concourse following the game. Please note, adults will not be allowed to wear masks inside Save Mart Center.

Single-game tickets for tomorrow's game against the Steelheads are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets and Save Mart Center's box office. Prices range from $8 - $23. For complete ticket information and an arena map of Save Mart Center, visit www.fresnofalcons.com/singletickets.html, or contact the Falcons front office directly at (559) 485-PUCK (7825).



ECHL Stories from October 30, 2005


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