Fresno Falcons Weekly

Published on March 19, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


LAST WEEK: Fresno went 1-2-1 last week, and with a win over Alaska on Sunday, clinched a spot in the 2007 Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Falcons are 33-24-6 for 72 points and currently are in fifth place of the National Conference standings, three points behind Idaho for home-ice advantage in the first round.

Tuesday, March 13 @ Last Vegas Wranglers 5 FALCONS 4 (SO)

Fresno concluded its four-game road trip with a 5-4 shootout loss in Las Vegas. Rob McFeeters returned the line-up after missing 14 games with an injury scoring two goals in the opening period. The Falcons took a 3-2 lead into the third period following a Cory Murphy power-play goal late in the second period. Las Vegas pulled ahead, scoring two goals less than two minutes apart midway through the final period, but the Falcons forced overtime on a Matt O'Dette goal with 2:03 remaining in regulation. In the shootout, the Wranglers scored once on four attempts, while the Falcons were blanked on each of their five shots.

Friday, March 16 vs. Alaska Aces 3 FALCONS 1

The Falcons led 1-0 after one period courtesy of a P.O. Beaulieu power-play goal at 9:04. Alaska's Matt Robinson tied the score at 12:08 of the second period, then scored his second of the night 2:34 into the third period giving the Aces the lead for good. Mike Scott set the final with an empty-net goal at 19:42.

Saturday, March 17 vs. Idaho Steelheads 5 FALCONS 2

After spotting Idaho a 1-0 lead early, the Falcons tied the score on John Morlang's team-leading 25th goal of the season at 16:27 of the first, then took the lead 6:55 into the second period on Jason Tejchma's first professional goal. It was all Idaho after that as the Steelheads scored a pair of goals in the second period, and added two more in the third to pick up the win.

Sunday, March 18 vs. Alaska FALCONS 5 Aces 1

Fresno wrapped up its season series against Alaska with a 5-1 win, clinching a spot in the 2007 Kelly Cup Playoffs. Luke Curtin and Cory Murphy notched first-period goals staking the Falcons to a 2-0 lead through 20 minutes. Following a scoreless second period, the Falcons added to their lead 5:14 into the third period on Jason Tejchma's second goal in as many games. John Morlang and P.O. Beaulieu scored three minutes apart midway through the third extending the lead to 5-0. Matt Robinson spoiled Ryan MacDonald's shutout bid, scoring the Aces lone goal at 13;32.

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Tuesday, March 20 vs. Long Beach 7:00 p.m.

The Falcons and Ice Dogs meet for the eighth of nine times this season, and for the third of four times at Save Mart Center. Fresno is 5-0-2 overall against Long Beach this season, and is 1-0-1 at home. The Ice Dogs are currently battling for the final National Conference playoff spot, sitting six points behind eighth-place Phoenix with 10 games remaining.

PROMOTIONS: Two-for-Tuesday, presented by Carl's Jr., KMPH Fox 26, and KRZR 103.7 FM. Fans can stop by any area Carl's Jr. location and pick up a voucher allowing them to purchase one ticket at regular price and get a second ticket for free. It's also College Night with FREE admission for any college student who presents a valid student ID at the Save Mart Center Box Office. Tuesday is also Fire on Ice Night with the Falcons as the team welcomes the Fresno Fuego PDL Soccer Team to Save Mart Center, along with Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake squad, including MLS superstar Freddy Adu.

Wednesday, March 21 @ Bakersfield 7:00 p.m.

Fresno and Bakersfield meet for the eighth of nine times this season, and for the final time at Rabobank Arena. The Falcons are 2-3-2 against the Condors this season, and are 0-3-1 in Bakersfield. The Condors enter the week two points behind Las Vegas for first place in the Pacific Division,

Saturday, March 24 @ Phoenix 7:11 p.m.

The Falcons take on the RoadRunners for the sixth of seven times this season, and for the final time in Phoenix. Fresno is 3-2-0 this season against Phoenix, with the two teams splitting a pair of meetings at US Airways Center in October. The RoadRunners enter the week on a six-game losing streak, and currently own the final playoff spot in the National Conference.

FALCONS NOTES

- Luke Curtin scored his 20th goal of the season in Sunday's win against Alaska, marking the seventh time in his nine-year professional career that he has reached the 20-goal plateau.

- Fresno leads the league in both shorthanded goals scored (21) and shorthanded goals allowed (4) and is trying to become the first team since Mississippi in 2002-03 to lead the league in both categories.

- The Falcons' 21 shorthanded goals this season are tied for the third most in a single season in ECHL history, and are just three behind the all-time record of 24 set by the Louisiana Ice Gators in 1998-99.

- Rob McFeeters has set a new career high of 13 goals in 49 games this season. Entering this season, he had scored 17 goals in 100 career professional games.

- Scott Stirling needs two wins to tie Jeff Salajko for ninth place on the league's all-time wins list.

FALCONS LEADERS

Goals Morlang 26

Assists Curtin 51

Points Curtin 71

+/- Morlang +22

Penalty Minutes O'Dette 154

Shots Curtin 234

Power-Play Goals Wroblewski 11

Shorthanded Goals Curtin 6

Game-Winning Goals Wroblewski 6

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 1550 and 96.1 Sporting News Radio 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 at 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 and 96.1 Sporting News Radio 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.

FALCONS TAKE PART IN OPERATION HOPE

The Falcons and Cornerstone's Feeding Fresno are raising money to help South Valley victims hit by this past winter's devastating freeze. The Falcons have teamed up with Carl's Jr., KMPH Fox 26, 93.7 KISS Country, and Mega 97.9 to raise money for Feeding Fresno's Operation Hope to deliver much-needed food to the freeze victims by donating money for each goal the Falcons score in March. Fans can also donate for each goal scored, starting as low as 50 cents. Log-on to the Falcons website at www.fresnofalcons.com to complete a pledge form and return it to the Falcons office. Through yesterday's game, the Falcons have scored 27 goals in 10 games in March.

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ECHL Stories from March 19, 2007


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