Offensive Defensemen Lead the Way in 4-3 Win

February 17, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Falcons, behind goals from four different defensemen, nearly let a 4-1 lead slip away but held on to defeat the San Diego Gulls, 4-3, on Monday afternoon at Selland Arena in front of a crowd of 4,250.

Falcons defenseman Kirk DeWaele opened the scoring on the game's first shot on goal at 1:28 of the first period. He was followed by Cory Murphy, who extended his league lead in goals by a defenseman with his 12th of the season at 11:31 of the first to give Fresno a 2-0 lead. San Diego's Dean Tiltgen cut Fresno's lead in half at 15:11, but Jason McBain responded about two minutes later with his third of the year.

The Falcons added to their 3-1 lead entering the second period when Drew Schoneck tallied his sixth of the season at 5:29 of the middle frame. Fresno seemed to have the game in cruise control as they headed to the third with their 4-1 lead intact.

Cruise control quickly turned to damage control when Tiltgen scored his second of the day and Kevin Grant added his fifth of the season 50 seconds apart mid-way through the third. San Diego managed to pull goaltender Cris Classen for nearly a minute in search of the equalizer but the Falcons held on for the 4-3 victory.

Fresno's victory gives them a record of 27-17-5 and 57 points, four points behind the third-place Bakersfield Condors. They complete a three-game home stand this Friday when the Gulls return to Selland. The 7:30 p.m. start features the Hanson Brothers from the movie Slapshot. Tickets are still available at the Selland box office, all Ticketmaster outlets and online at www.ticketmaster.com.



ECHL Stories from February 17, 2003


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