Falcons Lose in Overtime, 4-3

Published on January 28, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno Falcons' Derek Krestanovich forced overtime with his 10th goal of the year with under six minutes remaining in regulation, but Long Beach Ice Dogs captain Sean McAslan ended the proceedings 1:15 into the extra session to hand the visitors a 4-3 overtime win on Friday at Save Mart Center. Despite the setback, first place Fresno is still unbeaten against its own Pacific Division with a record of 11-0-3.

The Falcons opened the scoring at 14:49 of the first when leading scorer Luke Curtin just got a shot off as he was hauled down on a break-away, only to have the puck bounce off his closest pursuer and back past Long Beach goaltender Jaroslav Halak. The Ice Dogs quickly tied the game with their first of three power play goals on the evening. Justin Aikins fired a wrist shot past Fresno netminder Jamie Holden at 16:39 to tie the game at one heading to the second.

Long Beach converted on its second chance with the man advantage, as well, with All-Star forward Christian Larrivee dumping in a rebound at 4:23 of the middle period. The Falcons tied the game at 10:42 off a wrap-around from Shawn Mather, who scored his team-leading 16th goal of the season in his 300th career game as a pro. The Ice Dogs forged back in front at 13:58 of the second by making it a perfect three-for-three on the power play. Roofing a rebound from right on the doorstep was 11th-year pro Chris Kenady, giving the visitors a 3-2 edge entering the third.

Unlike their opponent's power play, Fresno's extra man units struggled on Friday. Immediately after failing to convert on their seventh chance of the game, though, All-Star defenseman Dustin VanBallegooie picked his way through traffic over the Long Beach blue line and fed Krestanovich, who beat Halak five-hole from the right circle at 14:25 to tie the game at three and eventually force overtime.

In the extra period, the puck was jarred loose from the far corner and laid off perfectly in the slot for McAslan, who made no mistake beating Holden with a slapper at 1:15 to clinch the 4-3 victory.

Although the game-winner was scored with the teams at even strength, special teams proved the ultimate difference on Friday. Long Beach finished the game going three for four while killing off all eight of Fresno's power play chances.

The overtime loss drops the Falcons to 23-7-9 on the year and ends a four-game home winning streak. Fresno lost a point in the standings to the Ice Dogs, but still lead their second-place rivals by 10 points in the Pacific Division with 55 on the year.

The Falcons now turn their attention to the third-place San Diego Gulls, whom they take on tonight at iPayOne Center in San Diego. Catch all of the live play-by-play action beginning at 6:45 p.m. with the FutureTek Pre-game Show.

Fans may also view the game online courtesy of B2 Networks, which can be accessed via the Falcons home page at www.fresnofalcons.com.

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ECHL Stories from January 28, 2006


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