Steelheads Gain Early Advantage

Published on April 11, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


BOISE, Idaho – The Fresno Falcons lost Game One of their best-of-seven, first round playoff series with the Idaho Steelheads on Friday at the Bank of America Centre, 3-2, after Idaho captain Jeremy Mylymok scored the game-winning goal with less than a minute to play in regulation.

After killing off an initial Idaho power play, the Falcons drew first blood in the series on their first power play chance of the game. Kevin Haupt ripped a slapshot wide that caromed right back in front where Colin Embley dumped in the loose puck, giving the Falcons a 1-0 lead at 5:11 of the first. The Steelheads tied the game with a power play goal of their own off the stick of Marty Flichel at 9:56 before Cory Morgan re-directed a shot by Martin Vasut at 15:53 to help Idaho to a 2-1 lead after one.

The teams played to a scoreless tie in the second, and the Steelheads carried their 2-1 lead into the third. Just 14 seconds into the final frame Fresno's Rob Bonneau wiped out a Steelheads defenseman on the end boards, freeing himself for a wrap-around that beat Idaho goaltender Blair Allison. Bonneau's game-tying tally stood for more than 18 minutes as the teams engaged in fierce play into the final minute. That's when Mylymok found himself all alone at the point and a fired a slapshot that beat Falcons goaltender Mark Gowan for the game-winner with 58.1 seconds remaining.

Fresno pulled Gowan – on in relief of Terry Friesen, who went down with an injury early in the second – but never found the equalizer in the waning moments. As the buzzer sounded a nasty line brawl broke out before the teams cleared the ice with the Steelheads carrying a one game to none lead in the best-of-seven series.

The Falcons and Steelheads square off in Game Two of their First Round series tomorrow night. All of the play-by-play action can be heard live on 103.1 FM, The Mountain Cat, beginning at 5:50 p.m. PDT with the Mail Boxes, Etc. Pre-game Show. The series then shifts to Selland Arena for Games Three and Four on April 16 at 7 p.m. and April 18 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available for both contests at the Selland box office, all Ticketmaster outlets and online at www.ticketmaster.com.

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ECHL Stories from April 11, 2003


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