Falcons Loose in Shootout to Gulls
November 27, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
SAN DIEGO, Calif. â The Fresno Falcons can't seem to buy a break these days. Their latest setback comes at the hands of the San Diego Gulls, who defeated the Falcons 3-2 Tuesday night in a shootout. Mike Mathers and Austin de Luis each netted goals for the defending champs as the team is now winless in eight of their last 10 games.
Fresno managed to get on the board first, as Mathers beat San Diego goaltender Trevor Koenig for the 1-0 lead 13:36 into the opening period. The Gulls however would tie the game 13 seconds later on Trent Clark's second goal of the season. The score remained tied heading into the third period when Mark Pederson gave the Gulls their first lead of the contest with his power play just 1:08 into the third period. San Diego was able to hold their lead a bit longer than the Falcons, but only by a minute as de Luis knotted the game at two all just 1:13 later. Neither team was able to end the game in regulation so they headed to a shootout.
Each team was able to score twice in the opening round of the shootout, with Cory Murphy and Glen Gulutzan finding the back of the net for the Falcons. In the first round of sudden death, the Gulls Mike Garrow beat goaltender Terry Friesen for the win and the two points.
The Falcons, who were missing some of their key offensive weapons due to injuries, managed to fire a mere 18 shots on goal, the second time in three games that the Falcons failed to make at least 20 shots. The Gulls on the other hand got off 35 shots at Friesen, who made 33 saves. Fresno went scoreless in their lone power play opportunity while San Diego converted on one of their three chances.
Despite picking up a point in the standings, the Falcons remain below the .500 mark at 7-8-2 with 16 points. The Falcons now reside in fourth place in the WCHL standings, one point behind the Gulls for third place. The victory marked the Gulls first over the Falcons this season, as the team in now 3-0-1 this season against their southern rival.
The team will now take some time off for the Thanksgiving holiday before returning to the ice on Friday, Dec. 7, to take on the Long Beach Ice Dogs at 7:30 p.m. at Selland Arena. The game will be the team's 3rd Annual Teddy Bear Toss and the first 5,000 fans will receive a free team photo, courtesy of Baja Fresh and ValPrint. Tickets are available at the Selland Arena box office, all Ticketmaster outlets or by going on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.
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