Falcons Power Their Way to 7-3 Victory

Published on January 1, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


PHOENIX - The Fresno Falcons tied a team record with five power play goals, including two from defenseman Cory Murphy, as they defeated the Phoenix RoadRunners by a score of 7-3 at America West Arena in front of a crowd of 4,281.

It was an even strength goal that opened the scoring, though, as Shawn Weiman fired in his first goal of the year off a slapshot from the point at 2:47 of the opening period. Fresno then converted on their first man advantage when Shawn Mather found Fraser Clair at 13:14, before the Falcons ended the first with a 3-0 lead after John Wroblewski chipped in a rebound at 16:52 for the team's final even strength goal of the night.

In the second, Fresno's work on the power play blew the game open. Skating with a two-man advantage, Murphy ripped a one-timer from the right circle past RoadRunners starting goaltender Mike Mole at 12:07, and on the ensuing five-on-four, Shawn Mather's shot from the slot deflected off a Phoenix defenseman at 13:11 to chase Mole from the game.

Leading 5-0 into the third, Fresno goaltender Brett Jaeger's bid for his first shutout of the season ended early. Jason Deskins scored an unassisted goal at 4:43, which was quickly followed by Deskins finding Garrett Burnett at 7:41 to cut the Falcons' lead to 5-2. Fresno again asserted itself with the extra man. Murphy scored off another one-timer from the right circle after receiving a pretty no-look backhand feed from Clair at 10:49, before Rob McFeeters re-directed a Matt O'Dette slapper from the point at 16:07 for the Falcons' fifth power play goal of the game, re-extending their lead back to five. Phoenix' Ben Knopp added another goal in garbage time at 18:04 for the final 7-3 margin.

In addition to tying a team record for most power play goals in a game, the Falcons also set a new team mark by extending their current road unbeaten streak to 10 straight (5-0-5) contests. Fresno has not lost in regulation on the road since a 5-2 setback at Las Vegas against the Wranglers on Nov. 8.

The Falcons enter 2006 riding a nine-game unbeaten streak overall (5-0-4), dating back to Dec. 7. The club is 15-4-8 and leads the Pacific Division with 38 points, seven more than the second-place Long Beach Ice Dogs with four games in hand.

Fresno continues a six-game road trip tomorrow in Phoenix when they face the RoadRunners again at America West Arena. Catch all the live play-by-play action of tomorrow's contest on 1550 Sporting News Radio beginning at 4 p.m. Pacific time. Fans may also watch the game on-line courtesy of B2 Networks, which can be accessed via the Falcons' home page at www.fresnofalcons.com. The pay-per-view video webcast costs $6 and requires a high-speed internet connection.

The Falcons will not return home to Save Mart Center until they take on the Florida Everblades on Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m. The game is a Carl's Jr. Two-for-Tuesday, with two-for-one coupons available at participating Carl's Jr. restaurants. Individual tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets and Save Mart Center's box office with prices ranging from $8 - $22. 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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