Falcons Return to Selland Arena a Triumphant One

Published on October 25, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


FRESNO, CALIF. - The Fresno Falcons used a pair of power-play goals and a shorthanded tally to defeat the Bakersfield Condors 3-2 on Friday in front of 6,000 fans at Selland Arena. It was the team's first game at the downtown Fresno venue since the 2003 WCHL Taylor Cup Finals.

For the second straight game, the Falcons spotted the opposition the first goal. Matt Pope tallied his fourth goal of the year 3:52 into the contest, scoring a shorthanded tally, off an assist from Sean Hurley.

Fresno pulled even at the 14:26 mark of the opening period as Mike Radja scored a power-play goal, his second tally of the year.

Peter MacArthur gave the Falcons the lead 2:42 into the second period, scoring an unassisted shorthanded goal.

But, the Condors pulled even on the same power play, just 35 seconds later as Tyler Scott blasted a shot home from the left-wing circle.

The Falcons got the eventual game-winner 7:17 into the third period on a 5-on-3 power-play goal. Radja fed Matt Stefanishion in the high slot, and he one-timed a shot past goaltender Joey Perricone for his first goal of the season.

Goaltender Joe Fallon held off Bakersfield from there. The rookie finished with 25 saves, improving his record to 2-0-0 on the season.

The Falcons and Condors play the back end of their home-and-home series on Saturday at Rabobank Arena, with face-off set for 7:00 p.m. Saturday's game is the first game of a nine-game road trip for the Falcons, who do not return to Selland Arena until Friday, November 14 when they host the Stockton Thunder at 7:35 p.m.

Tickets for all Falcons home games are available at the Selland Arena Box Office, or through TicketMaster at (559) 485-TIXS or at www.ticketmaster.com.

Began in 1988-89 with five teams playing in four states, the Premier 'AA' Hockey League has grown into a coast-to-coast league that will have 23 teams in 16 states and British Columbia playing 828 games from Oct. 17, 2008 to Apr. 4, 2009. Eighteen of the 23 teams have played at least five years in their current city.

The third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League, the ECHL averaged 4,174 per game last season, marking the fourth year in row and the 16th time in the last 18 years that the league has averaged over 4,000 fans. The league has drawn over four million fans each of the last five years and 11 times in the past 12 seasons.

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