Fresno Stuns Gulls In OT, Gulls Down In Series 0-3

April 15, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


SAN DIEGO - Derek Krestanovich's power-play goal 5:11 into overtime gave the Fresno Falcons a 2-1 win over the San Diego Gulls in Game 3 and commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven Pacific Division Semifinals. Game 4 is Saturday at the ipayOne Center.

While San Diego's Kelly Askew was serving a hooking penalty, Fresno's power play went to work for the 11th time in the game. The Falcons failed on their first 10 chances, but made their last one count, as Krestanovich redirected in Dustin VanBallegooie's shot from the point.

The game was scoreless through 58:08 before teams traded goals, sending the contest to overtime. Pierre-Luc Sleigher gave the Gulls a 1-0 lead with 1:52 left in regulation. As San Diego was skating on its 10th power play, R.J. Enga dumped the puck into the Fresno zone from center ice. It took a weird carom off the glass and bounced right to Sleigher, who skated in all alone and beat Jamie Holden five-hole.

Fresno, however, tied it with 54 seconds left in regulation and Holden pulled. John Wroblewski had the puck in the right wing circle and whipped a pass across the crease to a wide-open Kelsey Muench, who easily tapped it past an outstretched Tyler Weiman.

The rest of regulation was an absolute stalemate, as neither team could sustain a consistent attack. San Diego registered eight shots on goal in the first period and had two power play chances, but couldn't muster anything past Holden. Meanwhile, Fresno had seven shots and five power plays in the opening frame, but couldn't solve Weiman.

The second period was much of the same... little offense with more power plays. The Gulls had four man advantages in the middle frame, including a 5-on-3 for a 1:22, but could only register one shot on those chances. They only had two shots total in the second for a two-period total of 10. The Falcons had seven more shots (14 through two periods), but Weiman remained perfect.

Before Sleigher and Muench could hit the scoreboard in the third, the offensive drought continued. The Gulls had 13 shots in the stanza (23 through regulation) and three failed power plays before Sleigher scored on their 10th try. The Falcons threw 10 shots on goal (24 in regulation) and were foiled on three more power plays.

Notes: The Gulls have lost six straight playoff overtime games, including two in the series... They have lost six straight playoff games, dating back to 2004... San Diego is now 36-16 all-time at home during the postseason... Enga was activated from the injured list and made his series debut Friday... Bobby Cunningham was placed on the seven-day IR after sustaining a rib injury in Game 2 Wednesday...

The Gulls will look to stave off elimination Saturday in Game 4, with game-time from the ipayOne Center set for 7:05 p.m. It will be Boxer Shorts Night and first 5,000 fans in attendance will get a special pair of Gulls boxer shorts, courtesy of Coast-to-Coast Tax Service. Game 5 (if necessary) will be Monday in San Diego at 7:05 p.m.

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



ECHL Stories from April 15, 2006


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