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Falcons Remain Unbeaten in New Year

January 11, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


LAS VEGAS - The Fresno Falcons used four different goals scorers and 38 saves from goaltender Jamie Hodson to defeat the Las Vegas Wranglers 4-2 at The Orleans Arena.

The Falcons opened up a 1-0 lead when Shaun Sutter deflected a Sam Ftorek shot past Las Vegas goaltender Marc Magliarditi for his team-leading seventh power play goal of the season at 4:59 of the first. Jan Sochor then finished off a rush up ice at 11:47 of the opening period that involved both of his linemates - John Wroblewski and Paul Falco - to give Fresno a 2-0 lead through 20 minutes.

Fresno extended its lead to 3-0 just after failing to convert on its second power play opportunity of the game. Play returned to five-on-five as the puck came back to Dustin VanBallegooie at the left point, who lifted a wrist shot through a screen and into the goal for his second of the year at 8:42 of the second. On the team's third power play, the Wranglers' Jeff Attard picked the pocket of a Fresno defenseman before beating Hodson for an unassisted short-handed goal at 11:11 to pull his club within 3-1 as the third period began.

The Falcons protected their two-goal lead for most of the third. With just under two minutes to play, though, Las Vegas pulled Magliarditi in favor of an extra attacker and quickly found the back of the net off the stick of Ryan Gaucher at 18:16. The Wranglers went on the attack again off the ensuing face-off and drew a high-sticking penalty on Fresno's Curtis Sheptak to create a six-on-four advantage. Las Vegas had pressure in the zone throughout the waning moments but never really tested Hodson before Jason Weaver intercepted a pass on the Wranglers' final rush up ice and scored on the empty net to seal the victory, 4-2, with 10 seconds left.

The Falcons remain unbeaten on the New Year with a record of 5-0-1 and move into a tie with the Alaska Aces for third place in the West Division with a record of 17-13-4 and 38 points.

Fresno continues this four-game road trip on Friday and Saturday when they travel to Anchorage to face the Aces. Both games can be heard on 103.1 FM, The Mountain Cat, beginning at 8 p.m. Pacific time with the pre-game show.

The club then returns home on Tuesday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m. for a tilt against the Pensacola Ice Pilots at Save Mart Center. Tickets are now on sale for as low as $8 per seat and may also be purchased directly at the box office as well as all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 485-TIXS (8497) or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

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