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Falcons' Rally Falls Just Short

February 25, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


LAS VEGAS – Trailing, 3-0, early in the third period, the Fresno Falcons rallied for two goals in the game's final 10 minutes to pull within a single tally but eventually ran out of time as they were defeated by the Las Vegas Wranglers on Tuesday at Orleans Arena, 3-2.

Neither team found the back of the net in the opening 20 minutes as both goaltenders were on top of their games. The Falcons peppered Las Vegas goaltender Marc Magliarditi with 14 shots, many of them from point-blank range. Although not tested as often, Fresno netminder Mike Brusseau made a couple of key stops on bang-bang plays, as well, preserving the scoreless tie into the second period.

The Wranglers broke the tie early in the second off a turnover in the Falcons' zone that resulted in a two-on-one. Cam Bristow fired the puck from the right circle, which was met with a save from Brusseau, but the Fresno goaltender couldn't stop the second-chance effort from Blaine Bablitz that gave Las Vegas a 1-0 lead at 2:01. Continued outstanding work from Brusseau kept the contest a one-goal game entering the third, as Fresno was out-shot 18-8 in the middle period.

Las Vegas would extend their lead with a five-on-three power play goal 3:29 into the third from Dave Cousineau. Greg Day gave the Wranglers even more insurance when he walked through the Falcons defense at 5:35 to make it a 3-0 hockey game. Fresno would not go away, though, spoiling Magliarditi's shutout bid at 12:30 after Blair Clarance swept in his ninth of the year from his knees. Kris Porter, goalless over his previous 22 games, then brought the Falcons to within a goal at 16:12 on his 11th from Jason Weaver. Fresno skated on the power play during the game's final two minutes, eventually looking for the equalizer with a six-on-four advantage when they pulled Mike Brusseau, but the club never did test Magliarditi in the waning moments as Las Vegas held on for the 3-2 win.

The loss snaps Fresno's season-high four-game unbeaten streak and drops the team to 15-31-6 on the year, 1-6-0 against the Wranglers.

The Falcons now return home to host the San Diego Gulls tomorrow at Save Mart Center at 7 p.m. Tickets to the game are still available and can be purchased directly at Save Mart Center's Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets, which include select Save Mart Supermarkets, Tower Records, Wherehouse Music and Ritmo Latino locations, charged by phone at 485-TIXS or bought online by clicking the Ticketmaster icon throughout www.fresnofalcons.com.



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