Seven Goal Explosion Leads Falcons to Game One Win

Published on April 10, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


Bakersfield, Calif. - The Fresno Falcons scored five third-period goals on their way to a 7-3 win over the Bakersfield Condors in game one of their National Conference Quarterfinal Playoff Series on Tuesday at Rabobank Arena.

The win for Fresno snaps the Falcons six-game winless streak, and the seven goals match the team's single-game high.

Fresno got off to a quick start, scoring two goals on its first four shots, all in the first 3:26 of the contest. John Wroblewski opened the scoring at the 1:44 mark, taking a pass from Stuart MacRae, who was skating in his first professional game, and making a great move on goaltender Jamie Hodson, sliding a shot past him on the far post.

Rob McFeeters doubled the lead at 3:26. John Morlang skated into the Bakersfield zone, and fed a cross-crease pass to McFeeters, who one-timed a shot past Hodson from the right-wing circle. Following the goal, Hodson was pulled in favor of Rejean Beauchemin.

The Falcons continued the pressure throughout the period, out-shooting Bakersfield 21-5, and taking the 2-0 lead into the first intermission.

Bakersfield made it a one-goal game after two periods converting on a power-play opportunity 13:19 into the second period. Sean Venedam took a shot from the blue line that was deflected on the far post by Brett Lutes past goaltender Ryan MacDonald.

Fresno regained its two-goal lead 1:37 into the final period as Lucas Lawson redirected a Brady Leisenring pass past Beauchemin from the left-wing circle.

But, the lead did not last long as the Condors pulled back within one 20 seconds later when Josh Liebenow pushed a loose puck past MacDonald on a goal-mouth scramble. Liebenow was not done, notching a power-play goal at 4:26 to tie the score at 3.

The Falcons came right back 21 seconds later, retaking the lead on a Dustin VanBallegooie slap shot from the blue line, then extended the lead to two at 9:24 when Dave Borrelli was able to bat a rebound out of midair past Beauchemin to make it 5-3.

Fresno was not done yet, as Morlang took a centering pass from McFeeters and one-timed a shot past Beauchemin from the hash marks at 10:55 to give the Falcons a 6-3 lead.

Lawson set the final, scoring his second goal of the night on a quick snap shot from the left-wing circle at 17:58.

The Falcons and Condors meet in game two of the series on Thursday at Save Mart Center with face-off set for 7:30 p.m. All fans in attendance receive a Falcons' Playoff Team Photo, while the first 1,500 fans in attendance receive a Falcons' Playoff Rally Towel, both courtesy of Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino. The game airs live on 1550 Sporting News Radio, starting with the Port of Subs Pre-Game Show at 7:15.

Tickets games two (Thursday) and four (Sunday at 5:00 p.m.) can be purchased at the Save Mart Center Box Office, by phone at (559) 485-8497, on-line at www.ticketmaster.com, or at any TicketMaster outlet.

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ECHL Stories from April 10, 2007


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