Post Your Falcons Pictures

You can't take enough pictures of your favorite team the Falcons (or favorite rival in Bako's case), can you? But what the hell do you do with them? Even your mom doesn't care, she doesn't even know what 'bad ice' is. Well, maybe your mom doesn't care, but Falcons fans do.

Here is your chance to share your Falcons photo's with the rest of the fan base. If you have a flickr account, just click this link: Fresno Falcons Group, join the group and post your Fresno Falcons pics to the group. If you don't, join up! It's free and not that hard to use: Flickr.com (then join the group and start position'!!!

New Falcons Site - No Forum Yet

You may have noticed a newly designed Falcons website. It looks good so far but some of the features aren't working yet - namely the Fan Forum (The Unofficial will review the new site once it's done).

For all you Fresno Falcons forum junkies, here is a quick fix Old Falcons Forum. I don't think you can post anything on it though, just wander through.

For those needing to do some Falcon related posting, while we wait for the new forum, just click the comment link in this post (or any post) and comment away.

Start Planing Your Falcons Games

The 2006-2007 ECHL schedule is now out and about. The Falcons open with the tough Vegas Wranglers; that's a solid opener. Check the new schedule out by clicking HERE.

Unfortunately, Fresno doesn't play Bakersfield until November 28th. Does that mean The Unofficial has to wait till the end of November before we can talk smack to Condor Blogger NL Belardes?

Doesn’t matter, we ain’t waitin’ – CONDORS PLAIN SUCK.

New Radio Dude - It's Official

Sorry for the long bloggin' break. I Just got over that overtime Alaskan heartbreaker. So, back to it.

Just in case you get all your Fresno Falcons news from The Unofficial (What are you thinking if you are?), here is the latest from Kattie Smith:

GOOD BYE "CLARKY" HELLO JOE
Fresno, Calif. – Fresno Falcons CEO John Tull announced today that the team has hired Joe Babik as Director of Media Relations. Babik will be responsible for all of the team’s media relations efforts, in addition to serving as the radio play-by-play broadcaster for all Falcon radio broadcasts.

“Joe brings five seasons of play by play experience to Fresno and we look forward to starting a new era of Fresno Falcons hockey on radio,", said John Tull.

A native of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Babik graduated from Syracuse University in 2001 with a degree in broadcast journalism. While at Syracuse, he served as an intern with the American Hockey League’s Syracuse Crunch for three seasons.

Babik spent four seasons as the Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations with the ECHL’s Pee Dee Pride from 2001-2005. During the 2003-04 season, he was selected as one of three broadcasters for the radio broadcast of the ECHL All-Star Game in Peoria, Illinois. Last season he worked with the Adirondack Frostbite of the United Hockey League.

“I’m excited to join the Falcons organization. I’ve heard nothing but good things and am excited to start,” said Joe Babik.

Season tickets for the 2006-2007 season are on sale. Guarantee yourself great seats to 36 action-packed Falcons home games at the Save Mart Center! Starting as low as 3 easy payments of $108 per month for three months. For more information contact the Falcons front office at (559) 485-PUCK.

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