Playoff Hopes Diminished by 3-1 Loss
April 9, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
Fresno, Calif. - The Fresno Falcons lost their sixth straight at Save Mart Center to the Long Beach Ice Dogs 3-1 and lost all chances of post-season play. Mike Kiesman scored the only goal for the Falcons, and Brett Jaeger posted 34 saves.
The Falcons dominated the puck in the first five minutes of play, which led to the first goal of the night at 4:38. Kiesman received the puck at the left circle and fired it past Long Beach goaltender Olivier Michaud. In response, the Ice Dogs took advantage of their first power play opportunity and scored at 8:51 when Evan Cheverie received a pass from Bill Lindsay to score his 28th goal of the season and evened the score at 1-1.
In the second period, Long Beach took the lead and scored their second power play goal of the night when Matt Shasby fired a slap shot from the high slot past Jaeger at 16:03.
With the Ice Dogs in the lead 2-1, the Falcons felt the pressure and battled throughout the third period. With less than a minute left, the Falcons pulled Jaeger for an extra attacker. But unfortunately for the Save Mart Center faithful, at 19:09, Long Beach Defenseman Mike Vellinga was given an open shot on the empty net and closed the door on any chance of a Falcons' victory. The game ended with a final score of 3-1.
The bad news kept coming after the game when a few minutes later the Bakersfield Condors beat the Idaho Steelheads 5-3 to clinch the fourth berth into the playoffs from the Western Division. The Falcons will not be able to continue on into post-season play, and will conclude their season tomorrow night, April 9, at 7 p.m. against the Ice Dogs at Save Mart Center.
In continuation of Fan Appreciation Weekend, the first 2,500 fans to attend will receive a Mr. Hockey Potato Head, presented by Solutions Mortgage, KISS Country and Comcast. Additionally, the Falcons will be recognizing the Exclusive Sounds Three Stars of the Season at the conclusion of the game.
Regular-priced tickets for the final game are 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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ECHL Stories from April 9, 2005
- Nailers End Season with 2-0 Blanking of Royals - Reading Royals
- Bullies Close Out Regular Season With A 3-2 Win Over Chiefs - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
- Gladiators Knock off Lynx, 3-2 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Steelheads announce first round playoff dates and tickets on sale - Idaho Steelheads
- Gladiators dump Lynx in OT despite 64 saves from Kostur - Augusta Lynx
- Gladiators dump Lynx in OT despite 64 saves from Kostur - Augusta Lynx
- Pride's season ends with 5-2 loss - Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz
- Lynx finish season with 3-2 loss to Gwinnett - Augusta Lynx
- Condors hosting "Rolling Blackout"for Kelly Cup Playoffs - Bakersfield Condors
- Thrilling End To The Bombers Season In Peoria - Dayton Bombers
- Everblades announce first round playoff schedule - Florida Everblades
- Rivermen Bounced Out of the Playoffs by Toledo 6-3 - Peoria Rivermen
- Johnson named to All-ECHL second team - Augusta Lynx
- Rivermen Win Final ECHL Game 5-4 in a Shootout - Peoria Rivermen
- Reading Makes Several Roster Moves as they Close 2004-05 Regular Season - Reading Royals
- Collins Loaned To Worcester - Johnstown Chiefs
- Garden State Cup Series Lives On - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
- Gwinnett's Goodjohn Wins ECHL Sportsmanship Award - ECHL
- Keith and Stillman Both Placed On 7 Day IR - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Ice Pilots To Play Greenville Grrrowl In First Round Of Playoffs - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Aces win 4-2 at Vegas, Clinch National Conference - Alaska Aces
- Playoff-Bound Condors Defeat Idaho 5-3 - Bakersfield Condors
- Winding down - Victoria Salmon Kings
- San Diego Looks To Close Out Season On High Note - San Diego Gulls
- Playoff Hopes Diminished by 3-1 Loss - Fresno Falcons
- Wranglers Downed By Aces 4-2 - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Ice Pilots Slip Past Sea Wolves 5-4 In Shootout - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Gulls Beat Victoria, 3-2 - San Diego Gulls
- 'Blades let one slip, fall 5-4 in shootout - Florida Everblades
- Snowden tricks Gators again - Louisiana IceGators
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