Falcons Suffer First Regulation Loss, 5-3

October 30, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


FRESNO, Calif. - Garrett Bembridge scored twice to help the Idaho Steelheads defeat the Fresno Falcons, which suffered their first regulation loss of the season by a score of 5-3 at Save Mart Center.

The Falcons scored first in each of their previous four games this season, never trailing the opposition at any time (other than in a shootout), until Idaho scored at 9:12 of tonight's first period. D'Arcy McConvey fed Bembridge crashing the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Fresno responded to their first deficit of the season at 14:02 of the opening period when Brett Hammond knocked in a rebound for his second tally of the campaign, sending the clubs to intermission tied at one.

The Steelheads struck early in the second on the power play thanks to a bit of good fortune. Marty Flichel's slapshot from the point glanced off Fresno's Shawn Mather and changed directions past goaltender Brett Jaeger to restore Idaho's one-goal lead just 41 seconds into the period. Another power play goal by David Bararuk at 15:05 followed by an easy tap-in for Bembridge off a two-on-one at 16:13 gave the Steelheads plenty of breathing room with a 4-1 lead through 40 minutes.

Cory Murphy scored on the power play 4:01 into the third period, and Fresno had thoughts of overcoming a three-goal deficit as the Steelheads did last night when they beat the Falcons 7-6 in a shootout after trailing 6-3. Fresno's fate was effectively sealed, though, when Janos Vas delivered a gorgeous spin move out of the corner before beating Jaeger top shelf at 12:41 to extend Idaho's lead back to a three-goal margin. The Falcons' again struck with the extra man at 18:28 to draw within two and generated several chances with the goaltender pulled in favor of an extra attacker, but it was too little too late as the club succumbed, 5-3.

With a 3-1-1 record, Fresno retains first place and a three-point edge in the Pacific Division standings over the Bakersfield Condors, which were beaten tonight by the Alaska Aces, 4-0.

The Falcons next take the ice against the Stockton Thunder on Friday, Nov. 4, at Save Mart Center at 7 p.m. Single-game tickets for the game are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets and Save Mart Center's box office. Prices range from $8 - $23. 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).



ECHL Stories from October 30, 2005


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