Four-goal first proves enough as Falcons take 2-0 series lead
Published on April 13, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno Falcons erupted for four goals in the first period and ended up hanging on in the final minutes of regulation as they defeated the San Diego Gulls at Save Mart Center, 4-3. The win gives Fresno a 2-0 lead in the teams' best-of-seven first round Kelly Cup Playoffs series.
A night after the Falcons overcame a 3-1 third period deficit to win 4-3 in overtime, Fresno struck quickly just 1:37 into the game off Kelsey Muench's first goal of the post-season. Derek Krestanovich added to their lead on the power play at 11:27, before Shawn Mather pounded home a rebound at 12:30 to give the Falcons a 3-0 advantage. Fresno upped the score to 4-0 while skating on a five-on-three power play when Dustin VanBallegooie found the back of the net with what would prove to be the game-winning goal at 17:57.
Combining last night's third period and overtime with this evening's first period, the Falcons out-scored the Gulls 7-0 and out-shot their opposition 47-15.
San Diego began to awaken in the second. Steve Hildenbrand scored his third of the series at 6:09 on the power play. The Gulls then used a botched exchange behind the Fresno net to pull within two with Cody McLeod dumping a loose puck into a wide open target, and the Falcons' lead was trimmed to 4-2 heading to the third.
Fresno had several power plays in the final period as they looked for more insurance, but San Diego kept hanging around. Finally, on the Falcons' fifth power play of the third, Alex Kim danced his way through the slot and scored short handed, drawing the Gulls to within 4-3. San Diego pulled goaltender Tyler Weiman over the final two minutes and kept Fresno under pressure in the waning moments with the extra attacker, but ultimately could not pull off the come-back as the Falcons escaped with a 4-3 victory.
The series now shifts to San Diego for Games Three and Four on Friday and Saturday at ipayOne Arena. Friday's game will be taped delayed on 1550 Sporting News Radio, beginning at approximately 10 p.m. immediately following the broadcast of the Fresno Grizzlies' home opener. Saturday's Game Four can be heard live on 1550 SNR beginning with the FutureTek Pre-game Show at 6:45 p.m. Fans may view both games live online courtesy of B2 Networks, which can be accessed via the Falcons home page at www.fresnofalcons.com. Friday's drop of the puck is at 7:35 p.m., while Saturday's start is 7:05 p.m.
If necessary, a Game Five would be played in San Diego on Monday, Apr. 17, with Games Six and Seven back at Save Mart Center on Apr. 20 and 22.
ECHL Stories from April 13, 2006
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- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Checkers lose 3-1 in game three - South Carolina wins playoff series - Charlotte Checkers
- Gulls drop Game Two, trail series 0-2 - San Diego Gulls
- Four-goal first proves enough as Falcons take 2-0 series lead - Fresno Falcons
- Steelheads double up Wranglers 4-2, take 2-0 series lead - Idaho Steelheads
- Wranglers fall to Steelheads 4-2 - Las Vegas Wranglers
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