Fresno Powers Past Gulls, 4-1

Published on February 13, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


SAN DIEGO – Jason Weaver netted a pair of goals and goaltender Brett Jaeger made 42 saves, leading the Fresno Falcons to a 4-1 victory over the San Diego Gulls Saturday night, before 9,810 at the Sports Arena. Fresno's victory spoiled the debut of NHL veteran and newest Gull Dave Karpa, who signed earlier in the day.

San Diego (25-17-5) now falls two points behind Fresno (26-17-5) for fourth place in the West Division. The Falcons are now only the third divisional opponent to beat the Gulls in regulation at the Sports Arena.

It didn't take long for Karpa to get acquainted to his new teammates. And it took him even less time to figure out the heated rivalry with the Falcons. Karpa, known for his tenacious physical play and penalty minute totals, certainly showcased his repertoire during his ECHL debut, despite San Diego's loss. The hard-nosed defenseman also helped out offensively, chipping in with a second-period assist.

Fresno, however, drew first blood, as Weaver notched a power-play goal 17:40 into the opening period. After Derek Krestanovich won a faceoff inside the San Diego zone, Simon Mangos let go a shot that goaltender Mathieu Chouinard stopped. Weaver, however, skated out of the right corner, picked up the rebound and wristed it home for his first goal of the night.

San Diego tied it 4:33 into the second period on Brian Gornick's team-leading 18th goal of the year. Sylvain Deschatelets sent a cross-ice centering feed that didn't connect and the puck slid over to Karpa, standing along the left wing boards. Karpa then floated a pass to the net, where Gornick redirected it past Jaeger.

The Gulls got into penalty trouble late in the second and the Falcons capitalized twice. San Diego's Chris Lynch was already serving a tripping penalty when Ian Forbes was also whistled for tripping. On the ensuing two-man advantage Sam Ftorek gunned in his ninth goal at 15:25, one-timing a pass from Simon Mangos that beat Chouinard glove-side.

Just 14 seconds later, Dustin VanBallegooie gave Fresno a 3-1 lead with its third power-play goal of the game. Dan Tessier had the puck at the right point and dished it to an open VanBallegooie, who wound up and blasted a slapper past Chouinard for his fifth goal of the season.

Weaver put the game away with his second of the night – 12th of the season – at 11:01 of the third, going coast-to-coast before finally roofing a shot over Chouinard's blocker. Two Gulls forwards were pinned behind the Fresno net and Weaver picked up the loose puck, rushed into the San Diego zone and made a nifty move around Ian Forbes before lighting the lamp. It was his sixth goal against the Gulls this season.

Notes: San Diego is now 16-5-2 at home this season, out-scoring its opponents 88-65... The Gulls are 9-12-3 on the road and have been outscored 76-55... They held a 43-22 shot advantage Saturday, but have been out-shot 343-264 in their last 10 games... San Diego and Fresno have combined for 47 goals in six games (SDG: 25, FRE: 22)... Karpa, who signed with the Gulls Saturday, has played 557 career games in the NHL with Quebec, Anaheim, Carolina and New York (Rangers)... Mike Garrow was placed on the seven-day injured list after suffering a concussion Friday night against Long Beach... Andrew Canzanello remains with the American Hockey League's Cincinnati Mighty Ducks... Scott Borders (quad-contusion), Evgueni Nourislamov (broken thumb), and Wes Rypien all remain on the injured list...

The Gulls conclude their four-game homestand Wednesday against the Wheeling Nailers, with game-time set for 7:05 p.m. It will be another Wacky Wednesday, featuring "Pooch Party II." For the second time this season, all fans in attendance are invited to bring their dog to the game!!! San Diego will play in Fresno on Friday, before hosting the Bakersfield Condors Saturday, Feb. 19.

All games can be heard live on KLSD 1360AM and www.sandiegogulls.com with Chris Ello calling the play-by-play. All home games and many road games can be viewed on the Gulls' web site, courtesy of B2 Networks. Click the B2 Networks link on the home page for a list of the upcoming telecasted games. To view pictures from this season, visit www.sdgullsphotos.com and www.zerodogentertainment.com.

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ECHL Stories from February 13, 2005


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