Fresno Takes Game 1 In OT, 4-3
April 12, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release
FRESNO, Calif. - John Wroblewski scored 7:44 into overtime giving the Fresno Falcons a come-from-behind 4-3 win in Game 1 of their best-of-seven Pacific Division Semifinal series against the San Diego Gulls. The Gulls had a 3-1 lead heading into the third period, but Fresno scored two quick goals early in the stanza to tie it.
San Diego had a chance to win it early in overtime when Fresno's Matt Deschamps took a high-sticking penalty, but couldn't convert. The Falcons, who out-shot the Gulls 11-2 in the extra frame (53-30 in the game) kept firing away and Wroblewski ended it, beating Gulls netminder Tyler Weiman with a rising wrist shot from the slot.
Power plays were the side bar story, as teams combined for 21 power plays. The Gulls scored all three of their goals on the man advantage in 10 tries, while Fresno scored once on 11 chances.
The Gulls struck twice on the power play late in the first period, grabbing an early 2-0 lead. Steve Hildenbrand got things going 17:23 into the opening frame when his shot from the right wing side bounced off Fresno defenseman Dustin VanBallegooie and behind goaltender Jamie Holden (27 saves).
Then McLeod, who assisted on Hildenbrand's tally, hit the scoreboard with just 15 seconds left in the period. Alex Kim had the puck at the left side of the net and centered a pass that McLeod jammed in while being checked from behind.
Power plays continued to be the theme during the second period, as team traded goals with the extra attacker. The Falcons, who failed on three power play attempts in the first period, received five more in the second and finally converted at the 14:34 mark when VanBallegooie snuck a backhander behind Weiman (49 saves).
San Diego, which also had a two-period total of eight power plays, cashed in its third marker on a two-man advantage late in the frame. Hildebrand got it - his second of the game - at 18:24, taking Kim's pass from the point before backhanding it past an out-of-position Holden.
The Falcons scored two (even strength) goals 1:20 apart early in the third period, tying the game 3-3. Peter Fregoe tallied first at 3:50, grabbing the rebound off Shawn Weiman's shot before tucking it home. Then Vince Macri came calling at 5:10, walking in from the right point and beating a screened Tyler Weiman, Shawn's cousin.
Notes: The Gulls are 57-31 all-time in the postseason, which includes eight years of play in the West Coast Hockey League... They are now 6-8 all-time in playoff overtime games, having lost five straight... This is the sixth time San Diego and Fresno have met in the playoffs, the last coming during the 2003 Taylor Cup Finals... The Gulls are 11-10 all-time in a Game 1... R.J. Enga, currently on the seven-day injured list, could be activated for Game 3... Mark Adamek, also inactive, is finishing school at Lake Superior State, but could be available if San Diego advances...
San Diego and Fresno meet for Game 2 Wednesday, with game-time from Save Mart Center slated to begin at 7:30 p.m. The Gulls will host Game 3 at the ipayOne Center Friday at 7:35 p.m. It will be a special "Playoff Pooch Party," where all fans are invited to bring their dog to the game. Game 4 will also be in San Diego Saturday at 7:05 p.m. The first 5,000 fans at Saturday's game will get a special pair of Gulls boxer shorts, courtesy of Coast-to-Coast Tax Service. The Gulls players will hold a special "Boxer Shorts Fashion Show" Thursday at the ipayOne Center, beginning at 3 p.m. Game 5 (if necessary) will be Monday at the ipayOne Center.
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.
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