Jaeger Makes 42 Stops in 4-1 Win

February 13, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


SAN DIEGO - In a showdown between two teams tied for fourth place in the West Division, the Fresno Falcons used three power play goals and 42 saves from Brett Jaeger to defeat the San Diego Gulls 4-1 at the San Diego Sports Arena.

In a scrappy first period that featured three power plays for each team, the Falcons gained the upper hand despite beginning the game by getting out-shot 9-0. Skating on their third power play of the game, Fresno's Simon Mangos had a bid stopped by San Diego goaltender Mathieu Chouinard, but the former first round draft pick of the Ottawa Senators left a big rebound that was sent back behind him by Jason Weaver at 17:40 to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead through 20 minutes.

As in the first, the Gulls again dominated the opening minutes of the second, taking the period's first 12 shots. Brian Gornick tied the game at one at 4:33 when he re-directed a feed from former NHL'er Dave Karpa past Jaeger. Fresno responded, though, with back-to-back power play goals 14 seconds apart skating on a five-on-three. Sam Ftorek's one-timer found its way through traffic at 15:25, and on the ensuing five-on-four, Dustin VanBallegooie had a slapper deflect off a Gulls player past Chouinard to give the Falcons a 3-1 edge heading into the third.

Fresno played a defensive third period and actually added to their two-goal lead when Weaver went coast-to-coast for an unassisted goal at 11:01 for the final margin of 4-1.

The victory moves Fresno into sole possession of fourth place in the West Division with a record of 26-17-5 as they knocked off the team with the best home record in the league.

The Falcons conclude a four-game road trip on Tuesday and Wednesday when they travel to Victoria, British Columbia, to play the Victoria Salmon Kings. Catch the live play-by-play action of both games on 103.1 FM, The Mountain Cat, beginning at 6:50 p.m. with the pre-game show.

The team's next home game is Friday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m. when the Gulls 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.



ECHL Stories from February 13, 2005


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