Falcons Overcome 3-0 Deficit but Suffer Shootout Loss in the End

Published on March 16, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


LONG BEACH, Calif. - The Fresno Falcons overcame a 3-0 deficit mid-way through the second period to tie the game at three before eventually losing in a shootout to the Long Beach Ice Dogs, 4-3, at Long Beach Arena.

The Dogs struck twice less than two minutes apart to open the scoring in the first period. Ben Knopp finished five-hole past Fresno starting goaltender Brett Jaeger at 13:42 before Christian Larrivee had a rebound bounce off his body and in at 15:21.

Trailing 2-0, Fresno began to assert itself in the second, but Long Beach still extended its lead to 3-0 at 10:40 of the middle period when Ash Goldie scored unassisted off a wrist shot from the high slot, chasing Jaeger from the game in lieu of Jamie Holden. The Falcons finally broke through against Ice Dogs goaltender Olivier Michaud at 17:37 after J.F. Plourde re-directed a pass from Matt O'Dette for his team-leading 26th of the year. Luke Curtin recorded the secondary assist on the play, extending his team season-high point streak to 14 games (5g-17a) dating back to Feb. 11. Having out-shot Long Beach 17-3 in the second, Fresno still trailed 3-1 entering the third.

The Falcons completed their comeback with a pair of power play goals. Plourde jammed home his second of the game at 4:59 before Curtin took a feed from Fraser Clair at 10:31 and beat Michaud from the left circle. The teams reached overtime still tied three with Fresno out-shooting their hosts 32-9 over the final two periods.

Neither club scored in overtime, and after Curtin led off the shootout with a goal, Michaud slammed the door shut the rest of the way. Justin Aikins and Larrivee both scored against Holden in the tie-breaker, allowing the Dogs to escape with the win and two points in the standings.

With the shootout victory, Long Beach shaved a point off the Falcons' lead atop the Pacific Division. As the clubs prepare to play again this Friday and Saturday at Save Mart Center, Fresno has a nine-point edge over the second-place Ice Dogs with a record of 35-11-13 and 83 points.

The Falcons will be wearing green jerseys during both games this weekend to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, which will be auctioned off following Saturday's tilt to benefit Community Food Bank.

The first 2,500 fans at Friday's game will receive a commemorative St. Patrick's Day puck courtesy of Supercuts, KSEE 24, and 95.7 The Fox, while the first 2,000 fans at Saturday's contest will go home with a Fraser Clair bobblehead doll courtesy of Citizen's Business Bank, CBS 47, and Y101.

Individual tickets are on sale now for both games at all Ticketmaster outlets and Save Mart Center's box office with prices ranging 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).

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ECHL Stories from March 16, 2006


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