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Gulls Have Rough Time In Fresno; Glad to Be Home

May 5, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


SAN DIEGO -- When the Gulls left for Fresno carrying a 2-0 series lead, many thought they'd be coming home with the Taylor Cup tucked away in the trunk. The Fresno Falcons had other ideas however and after beating their rivals in two of three at Selland Arena, the finals shift back to San Diego.

Games 1 and 2 left the Gulls on top of the world, heading north to Fresno. But after games 3 and 4, San Diego came tumbling back down to Earth. All of a sudden, we had a tied series. That meant Game 5 was huge, for both teams. If Fresno won, they would've taken the series lead and going back to San Diego with all the momentum. But if the Gulls won, they would've regained the series lead and have a chance to close it out on home ice. Fortunately for the Blue and Orange, the latter happened.

But don't even think this series is over. All three games at Selland Arena could've gone either way and the Gulls could've been on the brink of elimination. Throwing out the first two games, this series has been tooth and nail and should follow the same pattern come this weekend.

NOTES: The last time San Diego carried a 3-2 series lead was in the 2001 Taylor Cup Finals. The Idaho Steelheads forced a Game 7... Mark Pederson leads all playoff scorers with 13 points, while Kevin Grant leads with 11 assists... Dean Tiltgen is riding a seven-game point streak... San Diego is now 13-9 all-time against Fresno in the postseason, but 3-6 at Selland Arena...

TRANSACTIONS: None.

RECAP:

Game 2: GULLS 7, Falcons 3 (Monday, April 28): Game 2 was almost a complete carbon copy of Game 1 for the Gulls: score early and often. San Diego scored three in the first period; two in the second; two more in the third and breezed to the four-goal win.

Game 3: FALCONS 4, Gulls 3 (Wednesday, April 30): Cory Murphy and Glen Gulutzan scored 54 seconds apart in the third period, lifting Fresno back into the series. It was 4-2 after Murphy and Gulutzan tallied, but Dennis Purdie made it a one-goal game late in the third. That's as close as the Gulls could get however.

Game 4: FALCONS 3, Gulls 2 OT (Friday, May 2): Colin Embley scored 13:54 into overtime to win it for the Falcons and knot the series at two games apiece. Fresno had leads of 1-0 and 2-1, but both times the Gulls came back. San Diego had the better scoring chances in the extra session, but Terry Friesen was unbeatable.

Game 5: GULLS 4, Falcons 2 (Saturday, May 3): Rookie Miguel Delisle netted the game-winner with 1:39 to play, regaining San Diego's series lead. The Gulls grabbed an early 2-0 lead after the first period, but the Falcons tied it with two of their own in the second. Tiltgen sealed the win with an empty-netter.

SCHEDULE: Game 6 of the Taylor Cup Finals is Saturday at the Sports Arena, starting at 7 p.m. If necessary, Game 7 will also be in San Diego on Sunday, with a 5 p.m. start. All games can be heard live on AM1130-KSDO with Chris Ello calling the play-by-play. You can listen to the Gulls Internet Radio Show's archives anytime on wsradio.com, with Tera Black and Jeremy Zager hosting.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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