Gare Nets Overtime Win

March 27, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


BOISE, Idaho - The Fresno Falcons won the final game of a three-game series in Idaho against the Steelheads when Lanny Gare swept in the game-winner 2:51 into overtime to deliver a 2-1 victory at The Bank of America Centre. Fresno leaves Idaho with a record of 1-1-1 during the series, now trailing the fourth-place Steelheads by three points in the West Division.

After a scoreless first period in which Fresno out-shot the Steelheads 9-3, the Falcons finally opened the scoring mid-way through the second with a goal skating on a five-on-three power play. Terry Marchant controlled through the left circle before threading a pass across the low slot back-door to Dan Tessier for the Fresno captain's 22nd of the campaign at 9:37, giving the Falcons a 1-0 lead heading into the final period.

Idaho tied the game in the third off an individual effort from Mike Stutzel. The forward, who played nine games in the National Hockey League last season for the Phoenix Coyotes, beat two flat-footed d-men to a loose puck at the Fresno blueline before finishing the play five-hole past Falcons goaltender Brett Jaeger at 5:37.

The clubs remained tied at one through the end of regulation and moved to overtime for the second consecutive game. Last night Gare capped a three-goal Falcons comeback to force the extra session late in regulation in an eventual 6-5 loss. Tonight, he and Shaun Sutter worked to jar the puck loose from Idaho goaltender Matt Yeats, giving Gare a wide open net for the game winner.

The overtime win gives Fresno a record of 36-22-8 and leaves them three points behind the Steelheads in the race for the fourth and final West Division playoff spot following this three-game set at The Bank of America Centre.

The Falcons next head to Las Vegas to battle the Wranglers on March 29 at 7 p.m. All of the live play-by-play action may be heard and/or seen live courtesy of B2 Networks by logging onto the Falcons home page at www.fresnofalcons.com. The audio-only webcast is free while the video webcast costs $6 and requires a high-speed internet connection.

Fresno returns home following this five-game road trip that also includes a stop in Bakersfield to host the Alaska Aces on Saturday, Apr. 2, at Save Mart Center at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale for as low as $8 per seat and may be purchased directly at the Save Mart Center box office and all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 485-TIXS (8497) or online at www.ticketmaster.com.



ECHL Stories from March 27, 2005


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