Fresno Falcons Weekly

Published on November 20, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


LAST WEEK: Fresno went 2-1-0 during three home games last week, and has an overall record of 9-4-0 for 18 points. The Falcons are in third place of the Pacific Division, three points behind Las Vegas.

Wednesday, November 15 vs. Utah FALCONS 3 Grizzlies 1

Fresno opened its six-game home stand with a 3-1 win over Utah. The Grizzlies scored the game's first goal late in the first period, taking the lead to the locker room. John Morlang evened the score with his fifth of the season 3:44 into the second period, and Tom Walsh put the Falcons ahead for good, scoring his first professional goal at 11:11. P.O. Beaulieu provided the Falcons with some breathing room, scoring his first of the season midway through the third period to set the final. Thomas Greiss made 27 saves to record the win in his Fresno debut.

Friday, November 18 vs. Utah FALCONS 3 Grizzlies 2 (OT)

For the second straight game, Utah struck first, tallying 4:41 into the first period. Fresno pulled even just before the first period buzzer sounded, getting a power-play goal from Colin Shields. The Falcons took the lead on a Josh Prudden power-play goal late in the second period, only to see Utah tie the game at 14:27 of the third period, sending the game to overtime. In the extra session, Dustin VanBallegooie notched the game-winner at the 3:40 mark, finishing off a great pass from Luke Curtin.

Sunday, November 19 vs. Idaho Steelheads 4 FALCONS 3

Fresno suffered its first home loss of the season on Sunday, suffering a 4-3 loss to Idaho. After spotting the Steelheads a 1-0 lead, the Falcons scored twice late in the first period to take a 2-1 lead into the first intermission. The Steelheads pulled even less than two minutes into the second period, and then retook the lead late in the second on a power-play goal from Lance Galbraith. The Falcons responded with the tying goal midway through the third period off the stick of John Morlang. But, Idaho came back to take the lead with just 20.8 seconds remaining in regulation, getting the game-winning goal from Cody Blanshan.

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Wednesday, November 22 vs. Las Vegas 7:00 p.m.

Fresno puts its Pacific Division unbeaten streak on the line against the division-leading Las Vegas Wranglers. The Falcons are 27-0-7 in their last 34 games against divisional opponents, including a 2-0-0 record against the Wranglers this season after sweeping a two-game series on opening weekend. Las Vegas is 7-1-7 for 21 points, and is unbeaten on the road, posting a 6-0-5 record away from home.

PROMOTIONS: The first 2,000 fans at the game will receive a free Falcons Long Sleeve T-shirt courtesy of Insight Vision Center. Wednesday is College Night with all college students being admitted for only $7 with college ID. The Falcons also welcome several members of the 49er's Gold Rush Cheerleaders to this game.

Friday, November 24 vs. Idaho 7:30 p.m.

Idaho returns to Save Mart Center for a rematch of Sunday afternoon's last second win. The Steelheads lead the West Division with a 9-2-2 record for 20 points.

PROMOTIONS: The World Famous San Diego Chicken returns to Fresno for his Save Mart Center debut, presented by KSEE 24, Integrity Lending, the Fresno Bee, and 95.7 The Fox. The Falcons are also encouraging fans attending Friday's Chicken game to donate new and used coats to the annual "Coats for Kids" coat drive.

FALCONS NOTES

- Luke Curtin's next game will be the 400th in his ECHL career.

- John Morlang enters the week on an eight-game point streak, over which he has posted four goals and seven assists.

- Over the last three games, the Falcons are 24-for-26 (92.3%) on the penalty kill, and 5-for-21 (23.8%) on the power play.

FALCONS LEADERS

Goals Morlang/Shields 6

Assists Curtin 15

Points Curtin 19

+/- Beaulieu/Morlang/Prudden +7

Penalty Minutes McConnell/Morlang 38

Shots Curtin 51

Power-Play Goals Leisenring/Murphy/Shields 3

Shorthanded Goals Curtin/Morlang 2

Game-Winning Goals VanBallegooie 2

FALCONS TICKETS

Tickets for Falcons home games are available at the Save Mart Center Box Office (9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday) or charge by phone at (559) 485-TIXS. Tickets can also be purchased on-line at www.ticketmaster.com. Discounted group tickets for groups of 20 or more are available by calling the Falcons office at (559) 485-7825.

FALCONS ON THE AIR

All 72 Falcons' regular season games can be heard on Sporting News Radio 1550 and on-line at www.fresnofalcons.com with the Voice of the Falcons, Joe Babik. Each broadcast begins 15 minutes prior to face-off with the Port of Subs Pre-Game Show. In addition, all Falcons games are available to watch on a pay-per-view basis in conjunction with B2 Networks. The B2 Networks feed can be accessed through the Falcons' website at www.fresnofalcons.com.

MATT THOMAS SHOW

The Matt Thomas Show airs tonight live from World Sports Café from 5:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Join Falcons head coach and general manager Matt Thomas and director of broadcasting and media relations Joe Babik as they discuss Falcons hockey. The show airs live on 1550 Sporting News Radio each Monday throughout the season. Fans are invited to participate in the show by calling their questions to (559) 23-SPORT or e-mailing them to jbabik@fresnofalcons.com.

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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.

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