MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2003
Contact: Brian Clark
bclark@fresnofalcons.com

BIG FIRST PERIOD LEADS FALCONS TO VICTORY
Fresno Wins, 5-2

SAN DIEGO - The Fresno Falcons got all they needed in the first period on
Saturday as they scored three goals in the opening frame on their way to
defeating the San Diego Gulls, 5-2, at the San Diego Sports Arena.

Fresno failed to register a shot on goal during the game's opening five
minutes, but found success once they finally tested San Diego goaltender
Trevor Koenig. Mike Barrie had the team's first bid of the game stopped by
Koenig, but Ryan Duthie sent the rebound top shelf to open the scoring at
5:00. Barrie followed with a goal of his own at 9:37 when he beat Koenig
short-side from the near circle. And Kris Porter finished the scoring in
the first period with his 22nd of the year to complete a three-on-two with
Jason Weaver and Cory Murphy at 11:46.

The Falcons added to their 3-0 lead with a power play goal at 5:38 of the
second. Drew Schoneck blasted a slapshot by Cris Classen, who replaced
Koenig to begin the frame, and Fresno skated to the third out in front, 4-0.

In a penalty-filled third period, the Gulls finally figured out Falcons
netminder Mark Gowan on the power play. Dean Tiltgen at 12:01 and Sylvain
Deschatelets at 13:23 both scored with the extra man to draw San Diego
within 4-2. That was all Gowan was willing to give the Gulls as he stopped
34 of 36 on the evening. Fresno's Colin Embley scored a power play goal
with less than a minute to play for the final 5-2 margin.

The Falcons have now won eight games in a row on the road and up their
record to 26-16-5 and 57 points. The win tied them with the Gulls in third
place in the standings, with both teams just one point back of the
second-place Bakersfield Condors.

Fresno now takes a full week off, not returning to game action until Sunday,
Feb. 16, at Selland Arena. The game is a 5 p.m. start against the Condors.
Tickets are still available at the Selland box office, all Ticketmaster
outlets and online at www.ticketmaster.com.

1st Period Summary: 1, FRE, Duthie 8 (Barrie), 5:00. 2, FRE, Barrie 10
(Murphy, Duthie), 9:37. 3, FRE, Porter 22 (Murphy, Weaver), 11:46.

2nd Period Summary: 4, FRE, Schoneck (Duthie), 5:38 (pp).

3rd Period Summary: 5, SD, Tiltgen 19 (Enga), 12:01 (pp). 6, SD,
Deschatelets 15 (Enga, Cyrenne), 13:23 (pp). 7, FRE, Embley 16 (Weaver,
McBain), 19:11 (pp).

Scoring by Period: 1 2 3 F
Fresno 3 1 1 5
San Diego 0 0 2 2

Shots on Goal: 1 2 3 T
Fresno 9 9 13 31
San Diego 9 10 17 36

Saves: Fresno - Gowan (34-36)
San Diego - Koenig (6-9), 20:00
- Classen (20-22), 40:00

Power Play Results: Fresno - 2 for 7, San Diego - 2 for 10