Falcons smelt Steelheads
March 16, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
FRESNO, Calif. - Joe Frederick found the back of the net twice and Terry Friesen made 28 saves as the Fresno Falcons cruised to a 6-1 victory over the Idaho Steelheads in front of 6,382 fans at Selland Arena. Jason Weaver added four assists as he now has 11 points in his last three hockey games. The Falcons are now unbeaten in five straight contests.
The Falcons jumped on the Steelheads in the first period, putting three goals up on the scoreboard. Dale Junkin got the scoring going with his power play goal at the 6:27 mark of the frame. Dan Kerluke made it a two-goal lead just over four minutes later with his ninth tally of the season. Ryan Tocher gave the team a three-goal advantage with less than 10 seconds remaining in the period when he popped his fifth goal of the year past Steelheads net minder Blair Allison. Weaver picked up three of his assists in the first period alone.
Frederick and Friesen took command of the game in the second period as Frederick notched a pair of goals and Friesen made 14 saves to stone the Steelheads. Frederick's first goal of the period came just 3:37 into the frame on the power play with his second tally coming less than ten minutes later while the Falcons were shorthanded. It marked the third consecutive game that Fresno has had at least one player score more than two goals in a contest.
Kris Porter scored the team's sixth goal of the night, and third on the power play, just 18 seconds into the third period as they busted out to a 6-0 lead. Kevin Smyth broke Friesen's bid for his first shutout of the season at the 5:47 mark of the third period with his sixth goal of the season. In addition to the heroics of Frederick, Weaver and Friesen, Tocher racked up a three-point night with a goal and two assists.
Special teams played a pivotal role in the victory, as Fresno scored three power play goals in seven opportunities in addition to Frederick's shorthanded effort. It was the sixth time this season that they have scored three times in a game with the man advantage.
The Falcons run their record to 26-28-8 with 60 points. They increase their lead over the Bakersfield Condors to nine points in the race for third place in the Southern Division, as the Condors gained one point with their shootout loss to the Long Beach Ice Dogs earlier in the evening. They are now 2-4-0 against the Northern Division leading Steelheads this season with two games still left to be played. They also improved their home record to 13-13-3.
These two teams will be square off again tomorrow night at Selland Arena with their bout scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The first 1,500 fans through the doors will receive a free St. Patrick's Day puck courtesy of the Girl Scouts of America. The Falcons will wear special green jerseys to celebrate the holiday that will be auctioned off after the game to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. The auction will begin immediately after the game in the old Exhibit Hall across from Selland Arena with Flint Epps, the "Voice of the Valley," conducting the auction. Tickets for Saturday's game are still available at the Selland Arena box office, any Ticketmaster outlet, or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.
ECHL Stories from March 16, 2002
- NEW NETMINDER TO JOIN TEAM FOR STRETCH RUN - Alaska Aces
- ECHL'S GREENVILLE GRRROWL LOSE 4-2 IN SOUTH CAROLINA - Greenville Grrrowl
- Chiefs Set Franchise Record With Win - Johnstown Chiefs
- Cyclones Game Summary - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Bandits Snap Streak at 2 - Jackson Bandits
- CONDORS CHANGES CONTINUE WITH ADDITION OF AARON BRAND - Bakersfield Condors
- Kalamazoo Wings vs. Port Huron Border Cats - Kalamazoo Wings
- Chiefs Pregame Notes vs. Reading - Johnstown Chiefs
- Falcons smelt Steelheads - Fresno Falcons
- Idaho Gets Blasted 6-1 By Fresno - Idaho Steelheads
- San Diego Scores Three in Final Period En Route to Victory - San Diego Gulls
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