Falcons Shoot Down Steelheads in Series Opener
December 5, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
Boise, Idaho - The Fresno Falcons recorded their third straight win on Wednesday, holding on to defeat the Idaho Steelheads 3-2 in front of 2,973 fans at Qwest Arena.
Brady Leisenring tallied the only goal of the opening period to stake Fresno to a 1-0 lead. Leisenring moved the puck to P.O. Beaulieu, who quickly got it right back to Leisenring in the high slot, and his shot beat Steve Silverthorn low to the stick side for his fourth of the season.
The Falcons scored twice in the first 1:05 of the second period to extend the lead to 3-0. On a delayed penalty against the Steelheads, John Morlang skated all the way into the Idaho zone, and dropped a pass for Matt Stefanishion at the left-wing circle. Stefanishion's shot was redirected at the top of the crease by Matt O'Dette, who beat Silverthorn for his first goal of the year just 41 seconds into the period.
Oren Eizenman stretched the lead to 3-0 just 24 seconds later. Eizenman had his initial shot turned aside by Silverthorn, but he regained possession behind the net, and beat the goaltender back to the far post for his ninth goal.
Idaho scored two power-play goals early in the third period to pull within one. Kory Scoran got the Steelheads on the board at 3:02, beating Jake Moreland with a long shot from the blue line. Lance Galbraith cut Fresno's lead to 3-2 at 4:56, tipping home Scoran's point shot for his eighth of the season.
Idaho pulled goaltender Kellen Briggs, who replaced Silverthorn after Fresno's third goal, for an extra attacker with 1:29 left in regulation. The Steelheads applied heavy pressure in the closing seconds, but Moreland was able to keep the puck out of the net to preserve the win. Moreland finished with 39 saves on the night, including 18 in the final 20 minutes.
The Falcons and Steelheads continue their three-game series on Friday with a 6:10 p.m. PST face-off at Qwest Arena. Catch all of the action on 790 ESPN Radio, The Deuce, starting with the Port of Subs Pre-Game Show at 5:55.
Fresno returns home on Friday, December 14, hosting the Victoria Salmon Kings at 7:30 p.m. The first 2,000 fans in attendance receive a Freddie Falcon Disco Snow Globe courtesy of Carl's Jr., Mega 97.9, and KMPH Fox 26.
Tickets for all Falcons' home games can be purchased at the Save Mart Center Box Office, or through TicketMaster at (559) 485-TIXS or www.ticketmaster.com. All Falcons games air on 790 ESPN Radio, The Deuce, starting with the Port of Subs Pre-Game Show 15 minutes prior to face off.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from December 5, 2007
- Steelheads Rally Falls Short In 3-2 Loss To Falcons - Idaho Steelheads
- Salmon Kings Trade D-Man To The Desert - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Salmon Kings Announce Stocking Stuffer Ticket Deal - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Falcons Shoot Down Steelheads in Series Opener - Fresno Falcons
- CCF VIII "Annihilation" coming to Qwest Arena - Idaho Steelheads
- Royals Knock Off Nailers, 4-1 - Reading Royals
- Inferno burn Chiefs 5-2 - Columbia Inferno
- Royals Down Nailers 4-1 - Wheeling Nailers
- Chiefs Scorched By Inferno - Johnstown Chiefs
- Scherlinck joins Steelheads - Idaho Steelheads
- Cyclones Run Win Streak To Four Games - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Chiefs Trade For Forward - Johnstown Chiefs
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Checkers Trade Falk To Chiefs - Charlotte Checkers
- Lynx terrific again on Tuesday - Augusta Lynx
- Cyclones' Desharnais Named PaySourceUSA ECHL Plus Performer Of The Month - ECHL
- Cyclones Desharnais Named PaysourceUSA ECHL Plus Performer of the Month - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Peters named ECHL Goalie of the Week - Florida Everblades
- Florida's Peters Named Rbk Hockey Goalie Of The Week - ECHL
- Augusta's Slattengren Named In Glas Co Player Of The Week - ECHL
- Idaho Steelheads and Idaho Statesman Team Up to Offer Unique Opportunity for Students - Idaho Steelheads
- Stingrays Weekly - South Carolina Stingrays
- ECHL Today - ECHL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Fresno Falcons Stories
