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Falcons Score with Goaltender Pulled but Eventually Fall to Condors in OT

December 31, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Fresno Falcons' Pete Fregoe scored with 42 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime, but Joel Irving's game-winner at 3:55 of the extra session handed the Bakersfield Condors a 6-5 overtime win on Friday in front of a crowd of 5,697 at Rabobank Arena.

Former Falcon Kevin Truelson opened the scoring at 18:58 of the first when he finished a three-on-one rush with his third goal of the season to give Bakersfield the early advantage.

Trailing 1-0 early in the second, Fresno quickly took the lead after the Condors' Oriel McHugh was given a major penalty for checking Falcons forward Brett Hammond from behind. On the ensuing power play, Luke Curtin scored twice 34 seconds apart to put Fresno in front 2-1 with less than five minutes gone in the period. Fraser Clair scored an unassisted goal at 18:15 to extend the Falcons' lead to 3-1 before the teams traded tallies in the final minute of the second, giving Fresno a 4-2 edge heading to the third.

The momentum swung back Bakersfield's way when Sean Venedam and Andrew Ianiero scored 55 seconds apart mid-way through the third to quickly tie the game at four. The Condors then moved back ahead at 16:33 of the period when Scott Balan's blast from the point eluded Fresno goaltender Jamie Holden, who was making his just second start in a Falcons uniform this season after spending the last two months in the American Hockey League with the Cleveland Barons.

All of a sudden down 5-4 having given up three straight goals to Bakersfield, the Falcons pulled Holden in favor of an extra attacker in the final minute. Derek Krestanovich spun a wrist shot toward the goal from just inside the blue line that caromed off a man in front right to Fregoe, who banged home the equalizer to send the game to overtime.

In overtime, Irving jetted up the right wing and beat Holden with a wrist shot to end a four-game winning streak for Fresno. Despite the disappointing outcome, the Falcons gained at least one point in the standings for a season-high eighth straight game and still lead the Pacific Division with a record of 14-4-8 and 36 points.

The Falcons continue a six-game road trip on Saturday and Sunday in Phoenix when they face the Phoenix RoadRunners at America West Arena. Catch all the live play-by-play action of Saturday's contest on 1550 Sporting News Radio beginning at 6 p.m. Pacific time with the FutureTek Pre-game Show. 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.

Fresno 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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