Falcons' Unbeaten Streak Ends at 10
January 25, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Yutaka Fukufuji made 20 saves to notch his Bakersfield Condors their first shutout of the season as they defeated the Fresno Falcons at Centennial Garden, 2-0. The setback was the Falcons' first loss in regulation since New Year's Eve and ended a 9-0-1 run to begin 2005.
The Condors dominated the opening 20 minutes, outshooting Fresno 18-5 on their way to taking a 2-0 lead. Vlad Serov converted on the power play at 7:31 moments after a five-on-three turned into a five-on-four with the return of a Falcons player from the penalty box. Rookie All-Star Connor James then extended Bakersfield's lead with a wrist shot from the base of the right circle at 13:46.
The second period was much more evenly played as Fresno finally generated some sustained pressure in the Condors' zone. Falcons goaltender Jamie Hodson made the biggest play of the period to keep the deficit at just 2-0 heading to the third when he stopped Bakersfield's Brett Lutes on a penalty shot at 11:24.
Fresno had more trouble generating offense in the third as they never seriously threatened to spoil Fukufuji's shutout bid. Hodson continued to shine in goal to keep the Falcons close, though, making 41 saves on the evening.
The loss ends Fresno's 10-game unbeaten streak, dropping the club to 21-14-4 as they enter the ECHL All-Star Break tied for fourth in the West Division with the San Diego Gulls.
The Falcons will take the next three days off over the ECHL All-Star Break and return to action on Friday, Jan. 28, when they host the Las Vegas Wranglers at Save Mart Center at 7 p.m. The first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a Year-at-a-Glance Calendar courtesy of Dumont Printing.
Tickets are on sale for as low as $8 per seat and may be purchased directly at the Save Mart Center box office and all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 485-TIXS (8497) or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
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- Falcons' Unbeaten Streak Ends at 10 - Fresno Falcons
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