Falcons Move Closer to the Cup - Take 3-2 Lead in the Series
May 20, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
FRESNO, Calif. - The most unlikely of goal scorers scored one of the most important goals in Fresno Falcons history. Darren Wetherill, who didn't score a single goal all season, fired a shot into the back of the net lifting the Falcons to a 2-1 victory over the Idaho Steelheads in Game Five of the Taylor Cup Finals. The rabid crowd of 4,333 witnessed the Falcons take a three games to two advantage in the best-of-seven series, putting them just one win within their first ever Taylor Cup championship. It marks the first time in the series that the home team has come away victorious.
Kris Porter gave the Falcons the early 1-0 lead with his power play goal at the 11:08 mark of the first period. Fresno was in the midst of a two-man advantage when Porter let one rip from just inside the blue line that beat Idaho netminder Blair Allison. The lead held until the opening four minutes of the second period when Derek Paget tied the game when his wrister found a way past Falcons goaltender Terry Friesen for his fifth tally of the post season.
With the score knotted at one in the third period, Porter ripped a shot that was blocked by Allison. The rebound came straight to Wetherill and he fired the puck at the net for only his second career goal in a Falcons sweater. In the final minute of play, Idaho pulled Allison in favor of an extra attacker, but the Falcons stood firm and preserved the victory.
The Falcons returned to the form carried them through the first two rounds of the post season, stopping all seven of the Steelheads power plays while notching one power play goal themselves in seven chances. Friesen was solid between the pipes for the Falcons, stopping 15 of the Steelheads 16 shots while Allison made 26 for the Steelheads.
Fresno will look to close out the Steelheads as the series now goes to back to Boise for Game Six of the Taylor Cup Finals, presented by Mono Wind Casino and PostalAnnex+, on Friday, May 24, 2002 at the Bank of America Centre. Face off is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. and can be heard live on KAAT 103.1 FM, The Mountain Cat, beginning at 5:50 p.m. with the Coors Light Pregame Show with WCHL Broadcaster of the Year Brian Clark.
Game One at Idaho Friday, May 10 Falcons 5, Steelheads 2
Game Two at Idaho Saturday, May 11 Falcons 5, Steelheads 4
Game Three at Fresno Wednesday, May 15 Steelheads 4, Falcons 2
Game Four at Fresno Thursday, May 16 Steelheads 4, Falcons 3 (OT)
Game Five at Fresno Sunday, May 19 Falcons 2, Steelheads 1
Game Six at Idaho Friday, May 24 6:05 p.m. Game Seven at Idaho Saturday, May 25 6:05 p.m. (if necessary)
*All times Pacific
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ECHL Stories from May 20, 2002
- Steelheads Weekly Recap And Look Ahead - Idaho Steelheads
- Fresno Falcons Weekly Update - Fresno Falcons
- Campaign underway to keep pro hockey in Greater New Orleans - New Orleans Brass
- Fresno Beats Idaho 2-1 To Take Three Games To Two Lead - Idaho Steelheads
- Falcons Move Closer to the Cup - Take 3-2 Lead in the Series - Fresno Falcons
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