Friesen Stops 39 to Stem Slide

November 4, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


COLUMBUS, GA – The Fresno Falcons rode the shoulders...and pads...and glove of goaltender Terry Friesen as he made 39 saves to help his club defeat the Columbus Cottonmouths, 3-1, on Tuesday in front of 1,771 at Columbus Civic Center. The victory lifted Fresno back to .500 on the year at 3-3-0 and snapped a three-game losing streak.

The Falcons' high-energy line of Jordan Landry, Riku Rahikainen and Michael Kiesman set the tone early for the visitors as all three picked up a point at 2:40 of the first period after Landry knocked home a rebound for his first of the season. Fresno would hold their 1-0 lead through the remainder of a tight-checking first period during which the clubs combined for just 11 shots on goal.

The Cottonmouths dominated play through the first 15 minutes of the second, finally breaking through to tie the game at 11:05 when Dan Tudin scored off a rebound. Fresno gave-up a season-high 22 shots on goal during the frame but managed to escape still tied at one heading to the third thanks to stellar goaltending from Friesen.

After Friesen stopped another flurry of shots early in the third, Jason Weaver and Greg Bullock went back the other way and helped Kris Porter finish a three-on-two at 3:22 to take their second lead of the night. The Falcons would gain a little breathing room when Porter notched his team-leading sixth of the season at 12:56 with Fresno on a five-on-three power play to finish out the scoring.

After practicing tomorrow morning here in Columbus, the Falcons will bus to Pensacola, FL, where they will face the Pensacola Ice Pilots on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7 and 8, as they continue on an 11-game road trip to open the 2003-04 season. Friday's game can be heard on tape delay on KAAT 103.1 FM at approximately 10:30 p.m. PST, while Saturday's match will be broadcast live beginning at 4:50 p.m. PST with the Falcons Pre-game Show.

Fresno does not make its ECHL debut at home until Sunday, Nov. 16, at 5 p.m. against the Bakersfield Condors at Save Mart Center at Fresno State. Single-game tickets for the entire 36-game home slate at Save Mart Center are on sale now and begin as low as $8. Order by phone at 485-TIXS, online by clicking the Ticketmaster icon at www.fresnofalcons.com or at any Ticketmaster location.



ECHL Stories from November 4, 2003


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