Fresno Falcons Weekly

February 25, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


LAST WEEK: Fresno went 2-2-0 last week, recording wins over Stockton and Bakersfield, while dropping decisions to Stockton and Alaska. The Falcons are 29-14-8 for 66 points, and are in second place of the Pacific Divison.

Monday, February 18 vs. Stockton FALCONS 3 Thunder 2

After a scoreless first period, the teams traded goals through the first half of the second period, with the Falcons twice tying the game after the Thunder had taken the lead. John Morlang gave Fresno its first lead of the game 5:46 into the third period, and Jake Moreland took over from there, turning aside all 14 Stockton shots in the third period as the Falcons held on for the win.

Tuesday, February 19 vs. Alaska Aces 4 FALCONS 3

Alaska opened the scoring early as Peter Metcalf tallied 3:48 into the contest, but Fresno pulled even late in the period on Matt Stefanishion's breakaway goal at 18:24. The Aces opened a two-goal lead on a pair of goals in the first 9:37 of the second period, but a Tyler Kindle power-play goal at 12:27 made it a one-goal game. Alaska answered with a power-play goal of its own less than two minutes later to retake a two-goal lead. Brady Leisenring's 5-on-3 power-play goal 27 seconds into the third period again pulled the Falcons within one, but that was as close as they would get, despite outshooting the Aces 15-3 in the final period.

Friday, February 22 vs. Stockton Thunder 3 FALCONS 2

Fresno dropped back-to-back games in regulation for the first time in over two months as the Stockton Thunder recorded their first-ever win at Save Mart Center on Friday with a 3-2 win. Stockton came out of the gates firing, opening the scoring just 34 seconds into the game, and then adding another goal at 6:41. Oren Eizenman pulled the Falcons within one on a power-play goal at 13:52, but L.P. Lachance scored a power-play goal of his own at 17:35 giving the Thunder a two-goal lead after 20 minutes of play. Stockton maintained its two-goal lead until midway through the third period when Brady Leisenring tallied a power-play goal to make it a 3-2 game. The Falcons outshot the Thunder 16-4 in the third period, but was unable to come up with the tying goal.

Sunday, February 24 @ Bakersfield FALCONS 6 Condors 1

For the second straight game, the Falcons gave up an early goal as the Condors scored just 20 seconds into the game to take a 1-0 lead. It was all Fresno after that however, as the Falcons reeled off six unanswered goals to go on to the win. Kenny Bernard (2g, 2a) and Mike Ramsay (2g) paced the Falcons' offense, while Brady Leisenring scored his 20th goal of the season, and extended his goal-scoring streak to seven games.

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Tuesday, February 26 vs. Phoenix 7:00 p.m.

The Falcons and RoadRunners meet for the sixth of eight times this season, and for the final time in Fresno. The Falcons are 4-1-0 overall against the RoadRunners this season, including 3-0-0 at Save Mart Center. Fresno has out-scored Phoenix 20-7 in its four wins this season. The RoadRunners enter the week holding down the eighth and final playoff spot in the National Conference with an 18-29-7 record for 43 points.

PROMOTIONS: Two-for-Tuesday presented by Carl's Jr., KMPH Fox 26, and KRZR 103.7 FM. Fans can stop by any local Carl's Jr. and pick up a voucher allowing them to purchase one ticket at regular price and get a second ticket for free.

Friday, February 29 vs. Cincinnati 7:30 p.m.

The hottest team in the ECHL comes to Save Mart Center on Friday as the Cincinnati Cyclones come to town for the second year in a row. Cincinnati has won an ECHL single-season record 15 consecutive games, and leads the North Division with a 40-8-3 record for 83 points. The Falcons swept a two-game series against the Cyclones last season.

PROMOTIONS: Go Red for Women Heart Night, presented by the American Heart Association, A&M Carpet Flooring America, Community Medical Center, CBS 47, and Alice 96.7. The first 2,000 fans in attendance receive a red tote bag, and there will be an on-ice celebration for all heart disease survivors.

Sunday, March 2 vs. Utah 5:00 p.m.

The Falcons open a crucial four-game series against the Utah Grizzlies on Sunday at Save Mart Center. The Grizzlies are right behind the Falcons in the National Conference standings with 63 points, but Fresno has played five fewer games than Utah. The Falcons are 2-3-1 overall against the Grizzlies this season, including 1-2-1 at home. The teams open a three-game set in Utah on Wednesday, March 5.

PROMOTIONS: Sunday Kids' Day, presented by Comcast Cable and Soft Rock 98.9. Tickets for all kids 14 and younger are available for just $7.

FALCONS NOTES

- Brady Leisenring has scored at least one goal in seven straight games (9g), the longest active streak in the ECHL. Leisenring has at least one point in 10 straight games (9g, 8a). Leisenring's seven-game goal streak is tied for the second longest in team history, and is just one game shy of Corey Lyons' team record of eight, set during the 1996-97 season.

- Sunday's win was Matt Thomas' 106th win as Falcons' head coach, tying Guy Gadowsky for the second most wins in team history. Blaine Moore is the Falcons' all-time leader in coaching wins with 147.

- Over the last seven games, Fresno is 13-for-47 (27.8%) on the power play and 33-for-37 (89.2%) on the penalty kill.

- The Falcons are 21-1-2 when scoring four or more goals in a game.

- Oren Eizenman has at least one point in 10 of the last 11 games (6g, 12a).

FALCONS LEADERS

Goals Eizenman 25

Assists Curtin 33

Points Eizenman 55

+/- Marcoux +17

Penalty Minutes Stefanishion 200

Shots Konkle 138

Power-Play Goals Eizenman 11

Shorthanded Goals Bernard/Quinn 3

Game-Winning Goals Eizenman 5

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.



ECHL Stories from February 25, 2008


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