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Nov. 19, 2002

It was the fourth game in five nights for the San Diego Gulls, but arguably the best played of the road trip. Unfortunately for San Diego, both Fresno goaltenders showed up. Terry Friesen and Mark Gowan combined for 27 saves, leading the Falcons to a 2-0 shutout Tuesday night, before 3,642 at Selland Arena.

The first period played like a broken record for the Blue and Orange. San Diego (7-8-1) dominated the frame, out-playing and out-chancing Fresno, but the Falcons (7-6-1) drew first blood at 13:27. A loose puck squirted in front of the net where Tyler Prosofsky slid home his first goal. Scott Borders and Ian Fraser registered the assists.

A scoreless second period again saw the Gulls control the play. San Diego's best chance came on a Dean Tiltgen breakaway, but Friesen was equal to the task. Minutes earlier, rookie Sandro Sbrocca had an excellent chance on a tip shot, but Friesen again thwarted the attack. Gulls netminder Trevor Koenig was no slouch either, keeping the Blue and Orange in the game.

Scoring chances were kept to a minimum in the third period, but the stanza was highlighted by a melee at the 6:50 mark. It all started when league penalty minute leader Brad Both took a run at Koenig. Moments later, both Koenig and Friesen were ejected after scrapping at center ice. Enter Fresno's Gowan and San Diego's Curtis Cruickshank.

Neither of the two back-up goaltenders was tested, but Gowan held the fort until Kris Porter sealed the win with an empty net goal at 19:30. Mike Mathers and Gowan picked up helpers on Porter's team-leading ninth tally.

Notepad
This was the second time the Gulls have been shutout this season and the ninth all-time. Clayton Read's four-game point streak was snapped tonight. He was selected as the WCHL's Player of the Week. Koenig was named Co-Goaltender of the Week, along with Bakersfield's Kevin St. Pierre. San Diego played without the services of Jamie Black, who's nursing a sore leg. The last time Black missed a game was in the middle of the 1999-00 season, a string of 188 straight games. Ryan Fultz was placed on the season-ending injured list with a broken left wrist. Fultz joins Joe Bianchi and Clint Cabana, who are also out for the rest of the year. Cory Cyrenne remains on injured reserve. Marc Busenburg and Rob Voltera remain with the American Hockey League's Hershey Bears...

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AROUND THE WCHL
November 2002 Edition
October 2002 Edition
May 2002 Edition

GAME RECAPS
02/07/03: Condors 4, Gulls 3 (SO)
02/05/03: Gulls 2, Falcons 1
02/04/03: Falcons 8, Gulls 3
02/01/03: Steelheads 6, Gulls 5 (SO)
01/31/03: Gulls 3, Steelheads 2 (SO)

PROFILES IN HOCKEY
Enga is Gulls’ new ironman
Danielle Dube — pioneer, no; goaltender, yes
Greg Spenrath: Falcons lose a legend
Grandfather, grandson keep Gulls "all in the family"

PRESS RELEASES
Ice Dogs name Kaminski as head coach