Fresno Freezes San Diego in Overtime, 4-3

November 27, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


SAN DIEGO - Luke Curtin scored two late goals, including the game-winner 3:08 into overtime, as the Fresno Falcons snuck past the San Diego Gulls 4-3 on Sunday night in front of 3,287 at the ipayOne Center.

San Diego (7-7-3) led 2-1 entering the third period and then 3-2 late in the game but couldn't hold either advantage. Curtis sent the match into OT on a score with 4:05 remaining in regulation and then won it with a wrist shot from the right-wing circle that beat Tyler Weiman.

The Gulls still picked up a point but fell into third place in the Pacific Division after Long Beach won Sunday. The Falcons (9-3-3), meanwhile, extended their lead in the Pacific to four points over San Diego.

Keyes finished with three points (1g, 2a), while Steve Hildenbrand added two assists for the Gulls.

After a scoreless opening period, Falcon forward J.F. Plourde tallied the game's initial goal less than a minute into the second. San Diego came back to tie it at the 10:16 mark when Dan DaSilva notched his team's first goal for the third consecutive game - and fifth overall in four matches with the Gulls.

DaSilva and Keyes connected again about four minutes later to give San Diego its first lead. This time, however, DaSilva hooked up Keyes, as the newcomer sent a beautiful cross-ice pass that Keyes one-timed into the net for a 2-1 Gulls edge at the 14:17 mark.

Fresno made it 2-2 in the third period on a score by Derek Krestanovich at the 5:01 mark. But San Diego responded with a power-play marker by Jesse Bennefield with 8:50 left to make it 3-2 - and that's when Curtis took over to keep the Falcons unbeaten against San Diego in three games this year (2-0-1).

Notes: DaSilva has eight points (5g, 3a) since being assigned by the American Hockey League's Lowell Lock Monsters four games ago... Alex Kim has five points (2g, 3a) in four games but didn't get one Sunday in the overtime loss... Steve Hildenbrand has 11 points in the last seven games (3g, 8a)... San Diego has killed 49 of its last 52 penalties... The Gulls have scored 18 power-play goals in the last 11 games... They are unbeaten in nine of their last 11 games (6-2-3)... Doug MacIver (knee), Cody McLeod (shoulder) and Andy Thompson (wrist) remain out of the lineup...

The Gulls continue their longest homestand of the year with two games next weekend against the Johnstown Chiefs. Saturday's game, which starts at 7:05 p.m., is "Survive the Holidays" night, and Gulls hiking water bottles will be given away. Sunday's contest against Johnstown begins at 5:05 p.m. and will be another Kids Night, featuring "Skate with the Gulls" immediately afterward. San Diego closes out the homestand Friday, Dec. 9 vs. Phoenix.

All games can be heard on KLSD 1360AM and www.sandiegogulls.com with Chris Ello calling the play-by-play. Most games can also be viewed on the Gulls' web site, courtesy of B2 Networks (All upcoming games CAN BE VIEWED). Click the B2 Networks (Watch the Game Live) link on the home page for a list of the upcoming telecasted games. To view pictures from this season, visit www.zerodogentertainment.com.



ECHL Stories from November 27, 2005


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