MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 26, 2002
Contact: Brian Clark
bclark@fresnofalcons.com

FALCONS STILL WINLESS AGAINST CONDORS
Third Period Comeback Falls Short

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Fresno Falcons battled back to within a goal after
trailing 4-1 early in the third period on Thursday night against the
Bakersfield Condors but ultimately fell to their Highway 99 rivals for the
eighth time this season, 5-3, in front of 4,884 at Centennial Garden.

The Falcons came out of the gates flying, but as they have been all season
against the Condors, were stymied time and time again by goaltender Kevin
St. Pierre. Despite outshooting Bakersfield 13-3 at one point, Fresno
trailed, 1-0, after 20 minutes following a goal by Jeff Goldie at the 15:00
mark.

Fresno began the second with a power play, but after nearly giving up a
short-handed goal to end the first period, did give up a short-handed goal
1:04 into the second to fall behind, 2-0. Jason Ralph cleaned up a rebound
as a result of a two-on-one rush with Jason Jackman for his league-leading
third short-handed goal of the year. The Falcons finally beat St. Pierre at
11:36 of the frame when Mike Barrie found Tyler Prosofsky in the slot for
his fourth of the season. Special teams played a factor at the end of the
period as well when Christoffer Norgren snuck a slapper by Falcons
goaltender Mark Gowan with just 1.5 seconds left to play.

Things began to look real bleak for Fresno after Paul Rosebush scored
unassisted 3:15 into the third period, giving Bakersfield a 4-1 lead. Brad
Both responded for the Falcons just 38 seconds later with his first of the
season off a rebound before Ryan Duthie scored a power play goal at 7:17 to
pull his club within a single goal. Any hope of completing the comeback was
dashed after Jackman picked the pocket of Barrie at the Falcons' line and
fed Nate Anderson, who scored on the resulting break-away with 2:17
remaining.

The 5-3 loss stopped Fresno's modest two-game winning streak and kept them
winless at 0-7-1 against Bakersfield this season. They dropped below .500
to 10-11-3 and remained in fifth place in the league with 23 points, three
points behind the Long Beach Ice Dogs and the final play-off spot.

The Falcons and Condors complete the back half of this home-and-home series
tomorrow night in Fresno at Selland Arena. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. and
features Falcons long sleeve t-shirts courtesy of Port of Subs to the first
1,500 fans. Fresno then stays at home to battle the Long Beach Ice Dogs on
Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in their final home game of 2002. The first 5,000
fans on Saturday will receive a 2003 Falcons calendar compliments of
ValPrint and Budweiser. Tickets are still available for both Friday and
Saturday's games at the Selland box office, at all Ticketmaster locations
and online at www. ticketmaster.com.

1st Period Summary: 1, BAK, Goldie 1 (Norgren, Skoryna), 15:00.

2nd Period Summary: 2, BAK, Ralph 12 (Jackman, Dupuis), 1:04 (sh). 3, FRE,
Prosofsky 4 (Barrie, Embley), 11:36. 4, BAK, Norgren 2 (Byram, Willett),
19:58 (pp).

3rd Period Summary: 5, BAK, Rosebush 5 (unassisted), 3:17. 6, FRE, Both 1
(Borders, Todd), 3:53. 7, FRE, Duthie 3 (Haupt, Borders), 7:17 (pp). 8,
BAK, Anderson 3 (Jackman), 17:43.

Scoring by Period: 1 2 3 T
Fresno 0 1 2 3
Bakersfield 1 2 2 5

Shots on Goal: 1 2 3 T
Fresno 14 5 15 34
Bakersfield 8 13 6 27

Saves: Fresno - Gowan (22-27)
Bakersfield - St. Pierre (31-34)

Power Play Results: Fresno - 1 for 7, Bakersfield - 1 for 6