Fresno Downs Victoria for Eighth Straight Win

January 5, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


Fresno, Calif. - The Fresno Falcons recorded their eighth consecutive win on Friday, defeating the Victoria Salmon Kings 4-1 in front of 4,155 fans at Save Mart Center. The win, coupled with Las Vegas' loss to Bakersfield, moves the Falcons into a tie with the Wranglers for first place in the Pacific Division.

John Morlang staked Fresno to an early lead just 1:45 into the opening period. Morlang skated into the Victoria zone and uncorked a slap shot from just inside the blue line, beating Brian Bridges to the short side for a 1-0 lead.

The Falcons maintained their 1-0 lead until the early stages of the third period when Victoria tied the game with a 5-on-3 power-play goal. Wes Goldie had the puck in the left-wing circle, and played it down low for Mike Stutzel on the far post. Stutzel redirected the puck past Ryan MacDonald for his ninth goal of the season.

Fresno came back to regain the lead just over two minutes later. Dustin VanBallegooie took a long shot from the blue line that was deflected in front by Brady Leisenring who picked up his ninth season.

Rob McFeeters provided the Falcons with some breathing room taking a feed from Morlang and redirecting the shot past Bridges for his eighth goal of the season. Luke Curtin earned an assist on the goal, extending his scoring streak to 10 games.

Dave Borrelli added his third goal of the season 1:10 later to extend the Fresno goal to 4-1.

MacDonald finished with 33 saves to improve his record to 11-3-1 on the season.

Fresno travels to Long Beach on Saturday for a 7:00 p.m. face-off against the Ice Dogs. Catch all of the play-by-play action on 1550 Sporting News Radio starting with the Port of Subs Pre-Game Show at 6:40.

The Falcons are back home on Sunday, once again hosting Victoria at 5:00 p.m. All kids 14 and under can purchase tickets for half price on another Comcast Cable/Pump It Up Kids Day. Sunday also features a special "Birthday Tribute to the King". In Celebration of the birth date of Elvis Presley (January 8th, 1935), the Falcons welcome Jeremy "Elvis" Pearce for a pre-game Elvis Show starting at 4:15 p.m. on the concourse. There will also be a first intermission Elvis Performance at center ice with 20 lucky lady Falcons fans getting the chance to take a seat on the ice and be serenaded by the "King".

Tickets for all Falcons home games can be purchased at the Save Mart Center Box Office, by phone at (559) 485-8497, on-line at www.ticketmaster.com, or at any TicketMaster outlet. All Falcons' games air on 1550 Sporting News Radio starting with the Port of Subs Pre-Game Show 15 minutes prior to face off.



ECHL Stories from January 5, 2007


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