Falcons Roll Past Aces

March 23, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


FRESNO, Calif. - Five different Falcons notched a pair of points and David Mitchell made 19 saves between the pipes as the Fresno Falcons defeated the visiting Anchorage Aces, 4-1, Friday night in front of 6,966 fans at Selland Arena. The Falcons are now unbeaten in six of their last seven games and brought their home record back to .500 at 14-14-3.

The Falcons struck first blood, putting up a pair of goals in the first period to bolt out to a 2-0 lead. Jason Weaver got the first tally just 2:35 into the contest when he hammered the puck past Aces goaltender Parris Duffus for his 20th goal of the season. Kris Porter made it a two-goal game with just over four minutes remaining in the opening frame when he lit the lamp for the 24th time this season.

Fresno had plenty of chances to tack more crooked numbers up on the scoreboard in the second frame but they couldn't manage to find the back of the net, as the two teams skated to a scoreless second period. In the third period, with the Falcons on the power play, Mike Mathers deflected a Cory Murphy shot past Duffus for his 16th goal of the season and the Falcons led 3-0. Then just over six minutes later, Joe Frederick blasted his team leading 28th goal into the net to push the Falcons out in front by a four goal margin. The Aces Tobin Praznik broke up Mitchell's shutout bid midway through the third period with his 20th goal of the season.

With the victory, Fresno's record goes to 27-29-8 with 62 points. Their lead over the Bakersfield Condors for the third place in the Southern Division grew to five points after the Condors fell to the Idaho Steelheads earlier in the evening. They are now 3-4-0 against their Northern Division foe after losing the first four meetings of the season, earning their first win over the Aces on their home ice.

These two teams will back at it again tomorrow night as they meet for the final time in the 2001-02 regular season. Face off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The first 1,500 fans through the doors will receive a free Beanie Freddie, courtesy of Sierra Tel Internet, the official sponsor of Freddie Falcon. Tickets for Saturday night's game are extremely limited and are available at the Selland Arena box office, any Ticketmaster outlet, or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.



ECHL Stories from March 23, 2002


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