Fresno Falcons Weekly

January 21, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


LAST WEEK: Fresno went 1-2-1 on its four-game road trip to Stockton and Victoria. The Falcons are 21-11-5 for 47 points, and are in second place of the Pacific Division, eight points behind Las Vegas.

Wednesday, January 16 @ Stockton Thunder 2 FALCONS 1

Fresno had its six-game winning streak and seven-game unbeaten streak end at the hands of Stockton. The one-goal loss was just the second one-goal loss suffered by Fresno in regulation this season. The Falcons outshot Stockton 23-7 in the second period, and had a 38-14 edge through two periods, but found themselves trailing 1-0 after 40 minutes of play. Stockton doubled its lead to 2-0 on a goal in the opening minute of the third period, but the Falcons pulled within one just over two minutes into the period on a Matt Stefanishion power-play goal. That was as close as the Falcons would get, as Thunder goaltender Glenn Fisher finished with 44 saves to record the win.

Friday, January 18 @ Victoria Salmon Kings 6 FALCONS 5 (SO)

Oren Eizenman and Brady Leisenring both scored two goals and added an assist, but it was not enough, as the Falcons fell to Victoria 6-5 in a shutout. The teams were tied 2-2 entering the third period, and in the final 20 minutes Fresno took three separate one-goal leads, only to see Victoria pull even each time to force overtime, and eventually the shootout. In the shootout, Victoria scored twice on five shots, while the Falcons were held to just one goal on five shots.

Saturday, January 19 @ Victoria FALCONS 3 Salmon Kings 2 (OT)

Fresno fell behind 2-0 8:25 into the first period as Victoria got a shorthanded goal from Ryan Wade and a power-play tally from Wes Goldie. The Falcons pulled within one after two periods as Matt Quinn notched a shorthanded goal late in the middle period. Tyler Kindle forced overtime, as he tallied midway through the third period to tie the game at 2. In the extra session, Kenny Bernard got behind the Salmon Kings defense, and scored the Falcons second shorthanded goal of the game at 2:52 to lift Fresno to the win.

Sunday, January 20 @ Victoria Salmon Kings 3 FALCONS 1

After more than 30 minutes of scoreless play, Victoria's Wes Goldie opened the scoring with a power-play goal 12:40 into the second period. Paul Ballantyne doubled the Salmon Kings' lead just over three minutes into the final period. The Falcons cut their deficit in half at 6:49 as Daryl Marcoux notched his third goal of the season. But, Goldie recorded his second goal of the game at 15:43 to restore the two-goal lead and set the final.

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Friday, January 25 vs. Idaho 7:30 p.m.

Fresno opens a three-game home stand as the defending Kelly Cup Champion Idaho Steelheads make their first visit of the season to Save Mart Center. The Falcons are 3-0-0 against the Steelheads this season after sweeping a series in Boise in December. Dating back to last season, the visiting team has won seven straight games in this series. Idaho is in second place of the West Division with a record of 21-12-7 for 49 points.

PROMOTIONS: The first 2,000 fans in attendance receive a Falcons All Star Poster courtesy of Dumont Printing, ABC 30, 95.7 The Fox, and the Central Valley Business Incubator. Following the game, join the Falcons for a Post Game Party at Logan's Roadhouse, located at 7507 N. Blackstone Avenue, near River Park.

Sunday, January 27 vs. Stockton 5:00 p.m.

The Falcons meet the Thunder for the fourth time this season, and for the first time in Fresno. The Falcons are 1-2-0 against the Thunder this season, and the two teams have combined to score just 10 goals in their first three meetings. Stockton enters the week in third place of the Pacific Division with an 18-18-1 record for 37 points.

PROMOTIONS: The Falcons celebrate Freddie Falcon's birthday, presented by Comcast Cable and Soft Rock 98.9. All kids at the game are invited onto the ice during the first intermission to help Freddie celebrate his birthday. Tickets for kids 14 and younger are just $7 for this game.

FALCONS NOTES

- Fresno returns home to host Idaho on Friday, opening a three-game home stand, and a stretch where the Falcons play seven of their next eight games at home.

- Oren Eizenman has a three-game scoring streak (2g, 3a) and has at least one point in five of the last six games (2g, 6a). Eizenman is second among ECHL rookies with 21 goals, and is tied for third among all first-year players with 43 points.

- Since being acquired in a trade with Columbia in November 27, Matt Stefanishion has 18 points (8g, 10a) in 23 games with Fresno.

- In his last seven starts, Jake Moreland is 5-1-1 with one shutout, a 2.24 goals-against average, and a .916 save percentage.

FALCONS LEADERS

Goals Eizenman 21

Assists Kindle 23

Points Eizenman 43

+/- Gongalsky +15

Penalty Minutes Stefanishion 131

Shots Konkle 122

Power-Play Goals Eizenman 8

Shorthanded Goals Bernard/Quinn 2

Game-Winning Goals Eizenman/Stefanishion 4

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 790 ESPN Radio, The Deuce, 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.

WATCH THE FALCONS ON THE ROAD AT REP'S

Catch all of the Fresno Falcons road action this season at Rep's Sports Bar, located on Blackstone between Ashlan and Dakota. Rep's airs all 36 of the Falcons' away games this season, courtesy of B2 Networks.

2008 ECHL ALL STAR GAME

The 2008 Chase Chevrolet ECHL All Star Game is this Wednesday, January 23, at Stockton Arena. Fans have three opportunities to follow all of the action. The game will be broadcast live on 790 ESPN Radio, The Deuce, starting with pre-game coverage at 6:45. The game will be televised on the NHL Network, and also is available on-line courtesy of B2 Networks.

FALCONS TOWN HALL MEETING

The Falcons will hold a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, January 24, from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Valdez Hall, located next to Selland Arena. All fans are invited to attend this meeting to learn more about the Falcons return to Selland Arena next fall, as well as receive an update on ticket packages for next year.



ECHL Stories from January 21, 2008


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