Holden's 53 Saves Lead Falcons to Victory

February 28, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Goaltender Jamie Holden made 53 saves and Luke Curtin recorded a goal and an assist to help lead the Fresno Falcons to a 4-1 victory over the Bakersfield Condors at Rabobank Arena. Curtin's goal, which served as the eventual game-winner, was the 500th point (186g-314a) of his eight-year professional career.

Fresno's Dustin VanBallegooie opened the scoring when he fired a slapshot from the top of the right circle past the glove hand of Condors goaltender Ryan Munce on the power play at 9:58 of the first. Bakersfield's Mike Hofstrand tied the game with 20 seconds remaining in the period off a shot from between the circles to provide Holden's only blemish.

After picking up an assist on VanBallegooie's goal, Curtin finished off a pretty feed from J.F. Plourde on the power play to reach career point #500. The goal at 11:08 of the second gave Fresno a 2-1 lead, which stood up until the third. Fresno's leading scorer now has 64 points (18g-46a) this season, the sixth highest total in the ECHL.

In the third, Holden took over as he made stops on all 23 shots he faced to keep the Falcons' one-goal lead intact. He spearheaded Fresno's impenetrable penalty kill, which stopped all eight Condors power plays on the evening, including four during the final period. Fraser Clair put the game away when he scored twice off rebounds 19 seconds apart at 17:56 and 18:15 for the 4-1 winning margin.

The victory lifts the playoff-bound Falcons to 31-10-10 and keeps them unbeaten against divisional foes this season at 17-0-4. Their 72 points lead the Pacific Division by six points over the idle second-place Long Beach Ice Dogs.

It is Fat Tuesday tomorrow when the Falcons host the Las Vegas Wranglers at 7 p.m. at Save Mart Center, and to celebrate, the team will be wearing Mardi Gras-themed jerseys. The specialty jerseys will then be auctioned off following the game with a portion of the proceeds to benefit Hinds Hospice.

The game is also a Carl's Jr. Two-for-Tuesday with two-for-one coupons available at participating Carl's Jr. restaurants. Individual tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets and Save Mart Center's box office with prices ranging from $8 - $22. For complete ticket information and an arena map of Save Mart Center, visit www.fresnofalcons.com/singletickets.html, or contact the Falcons front office directly at (559) 485-PUCK (7825).



ECHL Stories from February 28, 2006


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