Falcons Stumble as Condors Force a Game Six

May 4, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Bakersfield Condors staved off elimination and defeated the Fresno Falcons 4-2 at Rabobank Arena to force a Game Six in the best-of-seven Pacific Division Finals. Fresno leads the series three games to two.

After the Falcons failed to convert on their first power play chance of the game, the Condors jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when they did cash in their first opportunity on the man advantage. Fresno goaltender Jamie Holden made an initial save on a shot from the point, but the puck was re-centered by Mike Hofstrand to Alexandre Bolduc who was all by himself back door for an easy finish at 6:16. Bakersfield added to their lead with the teams four-on-four at 9:56 of the first after Kevin St. Jacques picked the pocket of the last Falcon in the Fresno zone and deked Holden successfully for an unassisted goal.

Still trailing 2-0 for much of the second period, Fresno yielded another power play goal while skating down two men late in the middle frame. The Condors' Kevin Truelson sent a one-timer over the right shoulder of Holden at 16:18 to give his club a 3-0 edge heading to the third.

Despite looking out of sorts the whole evening, the Falcons were able to put a scare into Bakersfield during the final period. Kelsey Muench scored a five-on-three power play goal at 7:54 to finally get Fresno on the board before Shawn Mather's blast from up the left wing somehow eluded Condors netminder Ryan Munce past his blocker side, and all of a sudden, the Falcons were within one with 4:30 to play. Just 20 seconds later, though, Bakersfield's Dave Bonk answered with a shot from between the circles that bounced off Holden up into the air and just over the goal line to re-establish the Condors' two-goal lead. Fresno never seriously threatened again, falling by the final of 4-2.

The series now shifts back to Save Mart Center for Game Six on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale for the game at all Ticketmaster outlets and Save Mart Center's box office beginning as low as $14 for Silver Section seats and just $10 for Student Section seats. If necessary, the teams would play Game Seven on Saturday at Save Mart Center, also at 7:30 p.m.

The winner of the Fresno-Bakersfield series will move on to play the Alaska Aces in the National Conference Finals beginning on Monday, May 8, at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage.



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