Fresno Falcons Weekly

Published on March 31, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


LAST WEEK: Fresno went 2-2-0 last week, improving to 41-20-8 on the season for 90 points. The Falcons have clinched home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs, and have a magic number of two points to lock up the third seed in the National Conference Playoffs.

Monday, March 24 @ Bakersfield Condors 6 FALCONS 2

Leading 1-0 after 20 minutes, Bakersfield pulled away with four goals in the second period, and another tally in the opening minute of the third. The Falcons got goals in the latter stages of the game from Kenny Bernard and Matt Stefanishion.

Friday, March 28 vs. Las Vegas Wranglers 3 FALCONS 2

Fresno lost in regulation to Las Vegas for the first time this season, dropping a 3-2 decision on Friday. Kelly Czuy put the Wranglers on the board 1:28 into the contest, but the Falcons answered quickly, tying the score on a Daryl Marcoux power-play goal at 3:04. The Wranglers struck twice late in the period to take a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes. A Matt Stefanishion power-play goal early in the third pulled Fresno back within one, but the Falcons were unable to come up with the tying goal.

Saturday, March 29 vs. Idaho FALCONS 4 Steelheads 3 (SO)

Fresno ended its three-game losing streak in dramatic fashion, coming back to defeat Idaho 4-3 in a shootout. Matt O'Dette scored a pair of goals, including the game-tying tally with 48.4 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime. In the shootout, the Falcons tallied twice, while Idaho managed just one goal, as the Falcons picked up their sixth straight win over the Steelheads. Josh Prudden (g, 2a) and Igor Gongalsky (3a) both notched three points for the Falcons in the win.

Sunday, March 30 vs. Victoria FALCONS 5 Salmon Kings 4 (OT)

The Falcons got goals from Kenny Bernard and Brady Leisenring in the first five minutes of the second period to open a 3-1 lead, but Derek Krestanovich tallied late in the period for Victoria making it a one-goal game heading into the third period. Matt Stefanishion scored his 20th goal of the season 51 seconds into the third period to put Fresno back up by two, but goals from Wes Goldie and Ash Goldie over the final 8:26 of regulation forced overtime. In the extra session, Mike Ramsay poked home the rebound of a Josh Prudden shot at 2:28, clinching home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Tuesday, April 1 vs. Stockton 7:00 p.m.

The Falcons play their final regular-season game ever at Save Mart Center on Tuesday against Stockton. Fresno is 5-4-0 overall against Stockton this season, and 3-1-0 at home. The Thunder are part of a three-team battle for the final two playoff spots in the National Conference. With 55 points, Stockton is tied with Phoenix for eighth place, two points behind Bakersfield.

PROMOTIONS: Fan Appreciation Night presented by the U.S. Army. The first 2,000 fans in attendance receive a Falcons team trading card set, and during the first intermission, the finals of the Central Valley Pushup Challenge take place on the ice. It's also a 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, April 4 @ Idaho 6:10 p.m. PT

Saturday, April 5 @ Idaho 6:10 p.m. PT

The Falcons wrap up the regular season in Boise against the Idaho Steelheads. Fresno is 6-0-0 against Idaho this season, and dating back to last season, has won five straight games at Qwest Arena. The Steelheads head into their final two games of the season with a record of 38-22-10 for 86 points. Idaho is one point behind first-place Victoria and one point ahead of third-place Alaska in the West Division standings.

FALCONS NOTES

- Tuesday's game against Stockton is Fresno's final regular season home game ever at Save Mart Center. Entering that game, the Falcons have a 98-61-20 record at Save Mart Center.

- Luke Curtin is two games shy of 500 in his ECHL career. He will become the 25th player in league history to reach the 500-game milestone.

- In their last three games, the Falcons are 5-for-15 (33.3%) on the power play.

- This season marks the second time in the last three years that Fresno has won at least 40 games. The Falcons have at least 39 wins in three of the last four years.

- Fresno needs wins in each of its final three games to tie the team single-season record for wins of 44, set during the 2000-01 season.

FALCONS LEADERS

Goals Eizenman 27

Assists Curtin 40

Points Eizenman 66

+/- Marcoux +18

Penalty Minutes Stefanishion 258

Shots Leisenring 176

Power-Play Goals Eizenman 12

Shorthanded Goals Bernard 4

Game-Winning Goals Eizenman 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 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.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from March 31, 2008


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.

OurSports Central