FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 14, 2002 bclark@fresnofalcons.com

FALCONS CAN'T HOLD EARLY LEAD, LOSE TO GULLS

SAN DIEGO - Despite building an early two-goal lead and springing for three power play goals, the Fresno Falcons gave-up a season-high seven goals in a 7-4 loss to the San Diego Gulls on Saturday at the San Diego Sports Arena.

The first five minutes of the game were dominated by the Falcons as they built a 2-0 lead on goals by Kris Porter and Ryan Duthie and fired eight shots on goal before San Diego generated even one. The Gulls would eventually tie the game, though, on power play goals by Mark Pederson and R.J. Enga. Before the end of the first frame Fresno responded with their second power play marker of the game when Mike Barrie notched his first in a Falcons uniform at 19:22.

Any momentum Fresno gained from that late goal in the first was quickly lost when Pederson notched his league-leading ninth power play tally of the season just 1:19 into the second. The Gulls then took their first lead of the hockey game, 4-3, when Cory Cyrenne scored at 8:34. After setting a season high with 17 shots on goal in the first period, Fresno's offense was silenced throughout the second when they mustered just three shots.

San Diego would keep things going in the third when Enga scored his second of the night 5:57 into the final frame. The Falcons responded with yet another power play goal, this one by Kevin Haupt at 10:28 to make it a one-goal game, 5-4. But the Gulls would put Fresno away with two goals 24 seconds apart about three minutes after Haupt cut the lead to one for the final 7-4 margin.

The loss drops the Falcons to 8-10-2, just one point out of sixth place in the league.

Fresno returns to Selland Arena for their final home game before the Christmas holiday on Tuesday, Dec. 17, against the Anchorage Aces. The game begins at 7 p.m. and is a Carl's Jr. Two-for-Tuesday. Fans can stop by participating Carl's Jr. Restaurants to pick-up a two-for-one coupon good for Tuesday's game.

1st Period Summary: 1, FRE, Porter 10 (Mathers, Murphy), 2:02. 2, FRE, Duthie 1 (Barrie, Schoneck), 4:29 (pp). 3, SD, Pederson 11 (Grant, Garrow), 8:26 (pp). 4, SD, Enga 9 (Cyrenne, Deschatelets), 17:48 (pp). 5, FRE, Barrie 1 (Haupt, Duthie), 19:22 (pp).

2nd Period Summary: 6, SD, Pederson 12 (Garrow, Cyrenne), 1:19 (pp). 7, SD, Cyrenne 2 (Garrow, Deschatelets), 8:34.

3rd Period Summary: 8, SD, Enga 10 (Cyrenne, Deshatelets), 5:57. 9, FRE, Haupt 3 (Barrie, Gulutzan), 10:28 (pp). 10, SD, Garrow 7 (Deschatelets, Enga), 13:53 (pp). 11, SD, Pederson 13 (Tiltgen, Read), 14:14.

Scoring by Period: 1 2 3 T
Fresno 3 0 1 4
San Diego 2 2 3 7

Shots on Goal: 1 2 3 T
Fresno 17 3 4 24
San Diego 7 13 10 30

Saves: Fresno - Friesen (23-30)
San Diego - Koenig (20-24)

Power Play Results: Fresno - 3 for 8, San Diego - 4 for 7