Too Big Of A Talent - One Amazing Game Seven

Second longest game in history. What an incredible game,comeback and effort by the Falcons. I almost had to change what I began writing at the beginning of period three. Unfortunately, I didn't have to change it:

Alaska goaltender Cris Beckford-Tseu is too damn tall; It's not fair to the rest of the league.

A six foot three goaltender with Spiderman like reflexes - How is this guy not in the NHL? I know a certain Vancouver Canuck team that could use him.

The Falcons went further than they should have. The Unofficial takes its hat off to them. But how can you expect the Falcons to win four games against some guy whom should be blocking shots by Shaq instead of shots by Luke Curtin.

Congratulations to the Fresno Falcons on a great season. And to American Conference champ Gwinnett: Have fun getting one past Beckford "Spidergiant" Tseu.

Only In The ECHL

NEWS FLASH: DREW, the Falcons Zamboni driver, is suspended for game five.

I'm not making that up. Apparently, after game two, Drew got into an altercation with Alaska Ace player, Kimbi Daniels (number ten). As a result, Drew won't be drivin' the Zamboni for game five.

So, it will be up to Falcons fans to booo Daniels every time he touches the puck.

And it will be up to Falcons fans to buy Drew a drink at Shooters, after the game.

Time For Stepping Up

The Falcons must win game five. They do that by having a solid power play; something they've been lacking this series.

The Falcons must win the series. They must just so I can see if Fresno will give a damn that they're playing for the Kelly Cup.

JUST Two Bones More Eh?

I love going to Falcons games. I would go to all of them, if I could. And I love playoff hockey, which is something the Falcons are in the middle of right now.

But, why do I have to pay two dollars more to see them in the playoffs?

Isn't this [playing in the playoffs] considered "bonus time" in the overall yearly budget? The owners are getting EXTRA games to sell tickets, why can't they just charge everybody the same price as the regular season? I'm sorry but the tickets are already a little pricey for a minor league hockey game.

Yes, this is high-end minor league hockey in a new arena, but it still isn't Vancouver vs. the New York Rangers in GM Place.

It's Fresno guys. We love the Falcons, but there isn't too many ponds freezing over around here, know what I'm sayin'?

Moving On Here Boss

After that tremendous series between the Falcons and the Condors, the Unofficial would like to say: Thank You.

Thank you to the Falcons team for not panicking after the game five and six loses and stepping up to win game seven.

Thank you to the Bakersfield Condors for giving us a true Highway 99 rivalry. The Condor's, in The Unofficial's opinion, is now the Falcons #1 rival, replacing San Diego.

Thank you to Bakersfield writer Matilda Kay for being a cool person to hang with during game two (even if she ripped the Save Mart Center). And to Nick Belardes for being a worthy smack talk adversary throughout the series. In fact, his writing frequency and style kicked the crap out of The Unofficial. But we're still waiting for that Podcast from game two...

Start The Chant Fresno

Alright, enough goofing around with the Consucks. It's time to....BEAT-BAKE-O! BEAT-BAKE-O! BEAT-BAKE-O! BEAT-BAKE-O! BEAT-BAKE-O! BEAT-BAKE-O! BEAT-BAKE-O! BEAT-BAKE-O! BEAT-BAKE-O! BEAT-BAKE-O! BEAT-BAKE-O! BEAT-BAKE-O! BEAT-BAKE-O!

Hang In There, Bako?

At this moment, the Falcons are up 3 games to 1 to the Bakersfield Condors (I really need to come up with a clever put-down-name for the Condors), and part of me wants Bakersfield to win Wednesday night.

That's because, Fresno needs a weekend playoff game. These Monday + Tuesday games just ain't fair. Fresno should be getting the weekend sales, not the lesser opponents.

Speaking of lesser opponents, I think I nailed Condor blogger and podcasterNL Belardes into the boards, so to speak, when we had a nice smack-off during game two of the Condor series. Though I was helped by a strong Falcons performance. The podcasting proof will be up soon.

In the meantime, check out the great rundown of game two, that N.L. gives on his Condors Blog.

Condors Call Up Belardes To Help Tuesday

"We've been to Bakersfield, Bakersfield has NOTHING on us!" that's how John Tull started the evening, pumping up the crowd. One thing is for sure, the Condors have nothing on Fraser Clair. Fraser had a playoff "career night" by beating Bako' almost single handed.

Even though it wasn't a big crowd Monday night, the Save Mart (or "The Cooler", as I call it) had a real playoff edginess - It felt good.

Tuesday night's game will have a sharper "edge" in the stands, as Bakersfield blogger and man about town N.L. Belardes will be in the Save Mart Center - and I will be sitting next to him.

I may need some back-up; somebody to pull his sweater over his head at-the-drop-of-a-puck.

**FYI: New pics from FalconsvsCondors game one can be found on the Flickr badge, down on the right.

Ninety Nine Rivals

It's is on Fresno. What Falcons fans, players and management have been waiting for: A playoff battle between Fresno and Bakersfield.




I'd be willing to bet that Condor's Blogger NL Belardes will take a break from his hiatus to chime in on this one.

Series prediction from The Unofficial: Falcons in six.

Falcons Hope To Check Parker or Nomar

As you read the Falcons media release below, you'll find out some Falcons will be at the Grizzlies game Thursday. Let's just hope one of the Falcons lay a MASSIVE check on new Grizzlies mascot Parker

FRESNO, Calif. – Join the Fresno Falcons for a Pacific Division Finals Playoff Rally at Grizzlies Stadium tomorrow when the Grizzlies host the Las Vegas 51s at 7:05 p.m.

The Falcons will be introduced down on the field before the game with one player throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. The players will then adjourn to the stadium concourse where they will sign autographs through the first couple of innings.

Slated to play against the Grizzlies tomorrow night is All-Star Nomar Garciaparra, who is now a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The former American League batting champion is currently rehabbing an injury with the 51s. For more information on Grizzlies ticket prices, please visit www.fresnogrizzlies.com.

The Falcons continue their post-season run in the Pacific Division Finals after sweeping the San Diego Gulls in the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. They open their next best-of-seven series against either the Bakersfield Condors or Long Beach Ice Dogs in Games One and Two of the Division Finals at Save Mart Center on Monday and Tuesday, Apr. 24 and 25, at 7:30 p.m. each night. Tickets are on sale for both games at all Ticketmaster outlets and Save Mart Center’s box office beginning as low as $14 for Silver Section seats and just $10 for Student Section seats.

Lace 'em Up

Go Falcons, beat the mildly annoying San Diego Gulls!

San Jose Watching Fresno

Just when I thought nobody was paying attention to this blog; Just when I thought the Sharks weren't paying attention to the Falcons, I got sent this: Falcons on Sharkspage.com.

A very nice full report on the past Falcons vs Stockton Thunder game. Unfortunately, it's a game the Falcons lost but it's still a fine report. It even has a picture gallery from the game and a pre-season interview with Jamie Holden.

After perusing through Sharkspage.com I realized that it's is a kick-ass hockey blog. Better than this one and certainly better than some lamewad Bakersfield Condors Blog.

Ten Thousand Puck Chuckers

"A thrilling game in front of a season-high crowd of 10,814" is what Falcon media relations wizard Brian Clark said after the Falcons latest win over Long Beach. 10,814 is a lot of Fresnans watching hockey.

It's great to see Fresno is finally starting to wake up to the fact that its got a great hockey team here and we need to keep supporting it.

I do have a warning for all of you new to Falcon games and specifically to the folks that play “Chuck-a-Puck”: If you decide you’d rather chuck your puck at team mascot Freddie instead of the target on the ice, you may be bounced out of Save Mart.

At several games this year, I have seen a guy asked to leave or heard security pinpointing a person who was chucking improperly. When I say improperly I mean, throwing-at-the-back-of-some-guy’s-head-whom-has-seats-on-the-ice.

So think twice the next time you “chuck”, Freddie may be watching

Fighting Falcons

This was only the third time Phoenix and Fresno played each other this season? It felt like they were old rivals playing at the end of a home-and-home series.

There were several fights in Saturday night’s game and it reminded me, a little bit, of old time hockey. Since the fighting, this season, in the NHL and ECHL is sparse, compared to the past, it was kind of refreshing – in a twisted way – to see all the fights.

I’m not saying there needs to be more or less fighting; I’m perfectly entertained by pure hockey. But, it is fun to watch some “old time” hockey – twisted as that may be.

More Falcons - Less Editing

Finally a couple nice ARTICLE'S in the Fresno Bee on the Falcons by Bee reporter extraordinaire, Ken Robison - I like to call him K-Rob.

They weren't on the front page but they were a nice length, which is rare. Much better than the usual blurb of "The Falcons won with two goal's by Luke Curtain, beating the Condors 4-2."

I'm sure the sparse Falcon coverage by The Bee isn't due to Ken's lack of reporting but speaks more to the importance the Bee's sports editor places on the Falcons. The Falcons are given front page space, it seems, only when Save Mart's ice is bad or...well...umm...only then.

I say more Falcons coverage Bee! Let K-Rob write freeeee!

Get Better Murphy - With Updates Below!

A lot of drama going on with the Falcons over the past week: They made the playoffs without playing (I still haven’t figured that one out), Save Mart’s bad ice finally got a game suspended and – biggest of all – Falcon defenseman Cory Murphy had a season ending injury; an injury that may have been due to the “bad ice”.

Falcon coaches went on the message board after Cory’s incident to give the fans an update:

Matt Thomas and I, Ryan Mougenel wanted to take this opportunity to
thank all of you who have offered Cory Murphy and his family thoughts
and prayers. I write this as Matt and I are still very numb from the injury
that Cory suffered last night, but we wanted to relay the message that
Cory is going to get through this and will be fine.
Cory is undergoing surgery as we speak to repair a piece of bone that
fragmented from his fibula breaking. He also suffered a dislocated ankle
which will also be set. Although losing Cory is a huge blow to our hockey
team, we wanted to let all of you know what a resilient and amazing
group of guys we have in this room and Matt and I know the response
that the guys will have for Cory will be well documented as we continue
our journey and bring the most dedicated fans in the ECHL a Kelly Cup.

We met with Cory and his wife Mellisa last night, and they wanted to
thank the amazing support and love you have all shown to Cory and his
family.
Thanks again and we thank you for your thoughts and prayers!!!!!!

Heres to bringing a Championship Home to Fresno!!!!!!!!

All the best Ryan Mougenel and Matt Thomas

The Unofficial wishes the speediest of recovery’s for Cory and hope to see him back on the extra frosty ice of the Save Mart, next season.

** Other local bloggers have posted on Murphy. Check out The Zera's eyewitness account on the Murphy injury: http://www.bryanandsarah.net/2006/02/hockey-jones.html

**Here's the latest on Murph: UPDATE

Korn and Kondors

On Friday, while the country’s biggest metal rock band KORN opens its world tour in the Condors home Arena, the Condors will be in Fresno to play our Fresno Falcons. So while Bakersfieldians (Or is it Bakos? Fielders? Lords? Fresno Smog Suckers?), mosh with themselves and listen to their hometown band, the Falcons will hopefully be making their own mosh-pit with nothing but Condors in the middle.

RIVAL TIME
The Falcons are 2-0-2 against Bakersfield. On the surface, this is a pretty good record. But dig deeper and you find something very disturbing. Of Pacific Division teams, the Condors have the best record vs. the Falcons. This can not stand. The Condors are the Falcons biggest valley rivals and arguably their biggest rival in the ECHL – The Gulls are in a down year and Stockton actually has to beat us to become a rival.

NEXT BEST THING
While Korn may not be coming to Save Mart, the Zooperstars are. So, maybe I can convince the Mart’s audio/video folks to play some Korn and let me form a Mosh pit with the Zooperstars in the middle.

ECHL IS OLYMPIC

Right now, New Jersey Devil Scotty Gomez, is trying to help the U.S. Olympic team win the gold medal in Torino. Last year, at this time, he was trying to help the ECHL's Alaska Aces win a Kelly Cup.

During Gomez stay on the Aces' roster, I made sure to catch the Aces when they came to play the Falcons at Save Mart (Why is there no cool grocery nick name for Save Mart Center yet?). Gomez had nothing else going on because of the NHL lockout so he decided to play for his home states team.

After watching Gomez for a couple games, I was surprised to find there wasn't much of a visible difference between him and the ECHL players. He did seem to have crisper passes, but that was about it. That says something about the ECHL's players.

Gomez isn't the only former ECHL player in this years Olympics. As ECHL.com reports, there are many current and former ECHL players in the 2006 games. Even Fresno Falcon division rivals Stockton Thunder have a player on the Latvian team.

The Thunder Has Passed

This was getting old. Stockton Thunder vs. The Fresno Falcons. Startin' to feel like they're the only teams in the ECHL. I'll bet the Falcons are getting sick of seeing the Thunder's ugly black and yellow sweaters. Four games in five days is enough to make anybody sick of seeing the same uniforms, arenas, boards...mascots.

I don't think the Falcons minded too much since they acquired eight points from the Thunder. This four game stretch might be looked upon as where the Falcons won the Pacific Division. I wonder how Long Beach feels about the division leading Falcons getting to play the expansion Thunder four games straight?

Up next for Falcons is a tough Idaho Steelhead team. It really doesn't matter. Just as long as Idaho's sweaters aren't black and yellow.

I've Spent Six Dollars On Less

B2 Networks enables you to watch select ECHL games live, over the internet. Tonight, I decided to watch the Falcons take on the Thunder, live from Stockton.

During my decision to order the game, I briefly forgot that the game overlaps some other big broadcasts Wednesday night: The Grammys, "Lost", "American Idol" and the Canucks vs. Blues game - Vancouver's my favorite team. That's a lot of damn good TV for one night.

What the hell, that's what Tivo is for; on with the Falcons via the internet.

BROADCAST NOTES:

Real easy to order the game, I just clicked the B2 Network button a couple minutes before the game and I was taken to a page where I filled in some billing info' and, within a minute, I was watching the Stockton feed.

As expected, you only have a small screen to watch on. You can expand it to fill the screen but you lose a lot of resolution. It’s hard to see the puck but an educated hockey fan doesn't need to see the puck to follow the action.

The feed is mostly smooth, with only an occasional jump or freeze. Brian Clark's 1550 radio broadcast is played over it. Clark's play-calling is pretty much in time with the video feed.

For this broadcast, there is only one camera to view the game with. This creates a bland, no score overlay, view. But the camera man does get some occasional tight shots when play is mucking it up around the goal.

There are no commercials so you get to watch the raw "in house" feed. Brian Clark's mic is on the whole time but he rarely says something during the breaks. Although a funny moment (funny in an eight year old boy humor way) happened during the second intermission when Clarky announced to his director he was making a restroom run.

In the end, I was glad to have spent the six bucks for the game. It was a nice edition to Brian Clark's radio call. I wouldn't recommend doing it for home games, just go watch them. But, if I only have to spend six bucks to not go to Stockton, that’s money well spent. Plus the Falcons won in overtime, I picked a good game to watch.

Now where’s my Tivo remote?