Hodson Leads Fresno to 3-2 Shootout Win
January 2, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
WHEELING, W. Va. - Fresno Falcons goaltender Jamie Hodson made 46 saves, as he helped his club defeat the Wheeling Nailers 3-2 in a shootout at WesBanco Arena.
After a scoreless first period that saw the Falcons penalty killers thwart four Wheeling power plays, Fresno yet again spent nearly half the second period short-handed. On the Nailers' first power play of the second, though, Clint Cabana spotted Jason Weaver up-ice to begin a two-on-one. Weaver skated over the blueline and fed John Wroblewski, who deked around Wheeling goaltender Dany Sabourin for a short-handed goal at 9:40. Hodson was forced to absorb 24 shots during his team's frantic work on the penalty kill, but Fresno still escaped to the third with their 1-0 lead intact despite facing another four short-handed situations.
Wheeling finally broke through 12:45 into the third off a goal from leading scorer Kenny Corupe and then added a second just :31 seconds later off the stick of James Laux. The Falcons responded, though, as Weaver fed Derek Krestanovich from the right wing boards and the latter re-directed the game-tying goal into the net with 2:29 remaining in regulation.
Neither team scored in overtime, although Fresno's Dustin VanBallegooie hit the post and Sam Ftorek had a break-away in the waning seconds thwarted when his stick broke in half.
In the shootout, the Falcons blitzed previously unbeaten Wheeling with goals from their first three shooters - Simon Mangos, Ftorek and Shaun Sutter - to earn the victory and the two points.
The win lifted Fresno past three teams in the West Division and into sole possession of fourth place with a record of 14-13-3 and 31 points.
The team's next home game is Tuesday, Jan. 4, at 7 p.m. when the Rivermen visit Save Mart Center. Tickets are now on sale for as low as $8 per seat and may be purchased directly at Save Mart Center's box office and all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 485-TIXS (8497) or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
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