Friesen Blanks Ice Dogs
Leads Falcons to 1-0 Victory

FRESNO, Calif. – The stuffed animals that flew out of the Selland Arena crowd on Saturday night during the Fresno Falcons’ 3rd Annual Teddy Bear Toss were triggered by a goal that never was but that did not diminish the Falcons’ 1-0 shutout victory against the Long Beach Ice Dogs for the 6,580 fans in attendance.

Fresno defenseman Alex Todd batted a puck out of the air with his glove that snuck over the goal line late in the first period, which unleashed a torrent of teddy bears. Unfortunately for the Falcons and their fans, the goal was waved off and the teams remained scoreless until well into the second period.

Scott Borders then combined with Jason Weaver and Ryan Duthie for his third goal of the season at 17:53 of the second to give the Falcons all the margin they would need. Goaltender Terry Friesen stood tall all evening long as he stopped 30 Ice Dogs shots, including 14 in the third period. His first official shutout of the season and the team’s second, Friesen tied former Falcons netminder Jeff Ferguson for the all-time franchise record with four career shutouts.

The victory helped Fresno leap-frog the San Diego Gulls into fourth place in the WCHL. They now have a mark of 8-8-2 and 18 points. The Falcons return to the ice on Friday at Bakersfield as they search for their first win of the season in seven tries against the Condors.

The teddy bears collected at the game will be donated to the children at University Medical Center.


Final
1 2 3 T
Long Beach 0 0 0 0
Fresno 0 1 0 1

Shots On Goal
1 2 3 T
Long Beach 7 9 14 30
Fresno 12 4 11 27

Period 1
Penalties: Weaver, FRE (roughing), 3:53; Kelleher, LB (tripping) 12:46; Wismer, LB (slashing), 19:49

Period 2
Scoring: 1, FRE, Borders 3 (Weaver, Duthie), 17:53.
Penalties: Porter, FRE (Hooking), 2:04; O' Connor, LB (Hooking), 6:33; Attard, LB (Interference), 9:12; Schoneck, FRE (Tripping), 10:59; Bench, LB (Too Many Men, served by Wismer), 10:59; Both, FRE (Fighting, Game Misconduct) 16:18; Maxwell, LB (Fighting), 16:18;

Period 3
Penalties: Todd, FRE (Holding), 8:20;

Power Play Results
Long Beach - 0 for 3, Fresno - 0 for 4



Saves - Long Beach Goaltenders
Goaltender - Minutes 1 2 3 T
Mike Buzak 12 3 11 26
B.J. Boxma



Saves - Fresno Goaltenders
Goaltender - Minutes 1 2 3 T
Terry Friesen 7 9 14 30
Mark Gowan


Three Stars
1st Star: Friesen - FRE
2nd Star: Borders - FRE
3rd Star: Weaver - FRE


Officials
Referee - Mike Pearce; Linesmen - Michel Voyer, James Parker