Falcons Win a Shootout Thriller

December 11, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


Fresno, Calif. - The Fresno Falcons extended a home-unbeaten streak to seven by defeating the West Division-leading Bakersfield Condors in a shootout by the score of 5-4.

It took 9:20 of playing time before the game's first goal was scored, but the next three and a half minutes had a scoring flurry. Mike Kiesman netted his first goal of the season, after which the ice was bombarded by teddy bears and other stuffed animals as part of the Falcons' fifth-annual Teddy Bear Toss. The toys will be donated to Children's Hospital Central California and Community Medical Center.

Fresno quickly jumped to a 3-0 lead when Sam Ftorek scored his first goal for the Falcons just 1:07 after Kiesman, and Jan Sochor scored off a rebound from the glove of Bakersfield goalie Kelly Shields at 11:34 of the first. The three goals were scored within 2:14 of each other. Bakersfield's Brad Mehalko ended Fresno's momentum just 1:12 later, and the first ended with the Falcons leading, 3-1.

Brett Lutes scored 40 seconds into the second as the Condors continued their rally from the first, cutting Fresno's lead to a single goal. Charles Simard padded the lead again with a goal midway through the period, only to have the Condors' Todd Alexander score 46 seconds later to take a 4-3 game into the third.

Guy Dupuis of Bakersfield tied the game at four with a goal midway through the final period, sending the game into overtime. For the second straight game at Save Mart Center after the Falcons lost in a shootout to the Greenville Grrrowl on Tuesday, neither team could score in the extended play, which sent Fresno and Bakersfield to a shootout.

The night's drama mounted through the last round of the shootout, with both teams having one goal. Bakersfield's Mehalko missed his shot, leaving the game in the hands of Dan Tessier. Fresno's captain then scored the goal that delivered the 5-4 shootout win and sent the announced crowd of 4,143 into delirium.

Tessier was also credited with two assists to become the new team-scoring leader with 19 points, one point ahead of Shaun Sutter. Sochor had an assist to complement his goal, giving him two points on the night.

The Falcons travel Saturday to face the Long Beach Ice Dogs before returning home to Save Mart Center for a re-match with the Grrrowl on Sunday at 5 p.m. Sunday is Family Day, featuring a package that includes four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas for just $40.

Regular priced tickets are on sale for the game against Greenville for as low as $8 per seat and may be purchased directly at Save Mart Center's box office and all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 485-TIXS (8497), or online at www.ticketmaster.com.



ECHL Stories from December 11, 2004


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.

OurSports Central