Falcons open 2005-2006 season at home on October 21

June 23, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


FALCONS OPEN 2005-06 SEASON AT HOME ON OCTOBER 21 Fresno Begins Third ECHL Campaign by Hosting the Victoria Salmon Kings

FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno Falcons kick-off their 72-game, 2005-06 ECHL regular season schedule on Friday, Oct. 21, against the Victoria Salmon Kings at Save Mart Center.

The club will look for a fast start under new head coach/general manager Matt Thomas as 11 of their first 13 games are on home ice. Included in the initial 11 dates at Save Mart Center are a two-game series with the 2003-04 Kelly Cup-winning Idaho Steelheads on Oct. 29 and 30, as well as two clashes on Nov. 12 and 19 with their long-time bitter rivals, the San Diego Gulls. The game against San Diego on Nov. 19 features a 1 p.m. start time to allow Falcons fans the opportunity to watch the Fresno State Bulldogs in their gridiron battle against the national champion USC Trojans later that evening.

The Falcons will get their first look at their new geographic rival Stockton Thunder during the second game of the season on Oct. 22 before playing the inaugural game in the Thunder's brand new Stockton Arena on Dec. 3. Also new to the ECHL this season are the Utah Grizzlies and Phoenix Roadrunners, which make their first trips to Save Mart Center on Nov. 11 and Mar. 11, respectively.

A member of the ECHL's National Conference, the Falcons' schedule also includes nine games against teams from the opposing American Conference. Visiting Save Mart Center this coming season are the Johnstown (Pa.) Chiefs (Dec. 2), the Kelly Cup runner-up Florida Everblades (Jan. 10 and 17), the Texas Wildcatters (Feb. 12) and the Dayton Bombers (Mar. 3 and 7). Fresno makes one road swing through the league's other conference, a stint during which they will play the Chiefs (Dec. 16), the Reading (Pa.) Royals (Dec. 17 and 18) and the defending Kelly Cup Champion Trenton Titans (Dec. 21).

The toughest portion of the Falcons' schedule straddles the holiday season. From Dec. 7 - Jan. 7, the club will play 14 of 15 contests on the road, including a three-game series at the defending West Division Champion Alaska Aces, their four-game trip to the northeast, a pair of New Year's dates at America West Arena in Phoenix against the Roadrunners and a three-game trek to British Columbia to face the Salmon Kings.

If Fresno needs a final push to qualify for the post-season as one of the top four teams in the five-team Pacific Division, they should be well-served by finishing the 2005-06 slate with five straight games at home from Mar. 31 - Apr. 8.

Finally, the schedule comes to a league-wide halt at mid-season when the entire ECHL turns its attention to the city of Fresno and Save Mart Center for the 2006 Bud Light ECHL All-Game and Skills Competition on Jan. 24 and 25.

Falcons season tickets are currently available for the 36-game home schedule. Full season packages and 24-game packages include seats to both the All-Star Game and Skills Competition. For complete ticket information and an arena map of Save Mart Center, please visit the Falcons website at www.fresnofalcons.com/tickets.html. To order 2005-06 season tickets, fans should contact the Falcons front office at (559) 485-PUCK (7825) or office@fresnofalcons.com.



ECHL Stories from June 23, 2005


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