Steelheads-Falcons Series Knotted at One
April 13, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release
BOISE, Idaho - The Fresno Falcons rallied from a two-goal deficit and evened the best-of-seven Larry Miller Subaru Mitsubishi WCHL first round playoff series at one game apiece with a 5-2 win over the Idaho Steelheads before 4,546 at the Bank of America Centre Saturday night. The Steelheads jumped out to a 1-0 lead on the power play near the midway point in the first period as Cory Morgan tipped a feed from Joe Rybar past Falcon goaltender Mark Gowan. Marty Flichel also assisted on Morgan's second goal of the playoffs. Idaho tallied their second power play goal at 11:11 as Rybar took a pass from Scott Swanson and ripped one past Gowan to increase Idaho's lead to 2-0. Fresno got on the board late in the frame when Idaho couldn't clear the puck from its own zone and a wide-open Kris Porter made two moves and put the puck high over a sprawling Blair Allison. The first period ended with Idaho on top, 2-1.
Fresno dominated play in the second period, thanks in large part to Idaho's nine penalties, which resulted in five power play opportunities for the Falcons. Fresno converted two of those chances, both on 5-on-3 advantages. Cory Murphy waited patiently for defenseman Scott Swanson to go down to block his shot, and lifted the puck past Allison to tie the game at two.
Fresno converted again 2:41 later when Jason Weaver cashed in and beat Allison in the top corner to give the Falcons their first lead, 3-2. Allison left at the 11:30 mark with an apparent injury and was replaced by Jason Cugnet. Fresno stretched its lead to 4-2 with an even-strength goal by WCHL Rookie of the Year Colin Embley, who rolled a puck through Cugnet's pads at 13:56. The second frame ended with the Falcons on top, 4-2.
Blair Allison returned to the Idaho net for the third period, but the Steelheads were unable to capitalize, as Fresno tallied the only goal of the frame, an empty-netter by Rob Bonneau at 17:33. Idaho put pressure on Fresno's Gowan late in the period, but the Falcon netminder was equal to the task in recording his first career playoff victory.
The series now shifts to Fresno for Game Three Wednesday night at Selland Arena.
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ECHL Stories from April 13, 2003
- Generals Outlast Boardwalk Bullies in Overtime - Greensboro Generals
- Gulls take Game Two - Bakersfield Condors
- Steelheads-Falcons Series Knotted at One - Idaho Steelheads
- Gulls Even Series With Gutsy 3-1 Win - San Diego Gulls
- Falcons Even Series at One - Fresno Falcons
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