SABERCATS SLIP PAST FALCONS
TACOMA, WA ­ An impressive
defensive showing was marred by two empty-net goals as the Tacoma
Sabercats triumphed over the Fresno Falcons, 3-0. The loss marks
the third time this season that the Falcons have been shut out.
The Falcons have now lost two straight contests to Northern division
opponents, and remain in fourth place in the Southern division
with a record of 7-17-2.
After a scoreless first two frames, the Sabercats took a 1-0 lead at the 4:50 mark of the third period when Marty Flichel scooped up a rebound in front of the net and put it past goaltender David Mitchell for the tally. The controversial play resulted from a collision behind the net that sent a few Falcons’ players down to the ice. The puck rolled out to Tacoma defenseman Yannick Latour, who fed Dampy Brar for the open shot. Brar’s shot rang off the left post, and Flichel stuffed in the rebound to give the Sabercats the edge. Two third period empty-net goals by Claude Jutras and Francois Sasseville would ice the victory for the Sabercats.
Both goaltenders were extremely
solid in net, treating the crowd of 1,435 at the Tacoma Dome to
several outstanding saves throughout the game. Mitchell ended
the night with 25 saves, and Mike Brusseau was the difference
for Tacoma, stopping all 34
shots from the Falcons. Both teams were scoreless on the power
play.
The Falcons continue this three-game
road trip on Friday and Saturday against the Idaho Steelheads.
Both games will be broadcast live on KAAT 103.1 FM, and will
kick off with the Coors Light Pre-game Show at 5:50 p.m. The club
then returns home on Tuesday night for a 7pm game against the
San Diego Gulls at Selland Arena. The first 1,000 fans through
the doors will receive a free “Gulls vs Falcons Rivalry”
t-shirt.
Period 1 NO SCORING
Period 2 NO SCORING
Period 3 Scoring: 1, TAC, Flichel
10 (Brar, Latour), 4:50. 2, TAC, Jutras 5
(Sasseville, Alexeev), 19:12 (en). 3, TAC, Sasseville 5 (Stacey),
19:28
(en).
GOALTENDING:
Tacoma ­ Brusseau 34­34
Fresno ­Mitchell 25­26
POWER PLAYS:
Tacoma ­ 0 for 3
Fresno ­ 0 for 4
ATTENDANCE: 1,435