![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IMG_6826.jpeg\" "\\"The")
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The Fresno Falcons played their first game for the first time in 17 years at Selland Arena.<\/p>\n
ANTHONY GALAVIZ<\/p>\n
agalaviz@fresnobee.com<\/p>\n
Jose Gonzalez had never attended a Fresno Falcons game when the team last played in Fresno 17 years ago.<\/p>\n
This time, the Sanger native decided it was time, especially with the Falcons finally returning to downtown Fresno.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always wanted to see hockey in person,\u201d Gonzalez said. \u201cI\u2019m a big fan. I\u2019ve watched a lot of it online. I\u2019m a Red Wings fan. I\u2019ve always wanted to go see the Fresno Monsters.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fans came in droves, packing Selland Arena for the Falcons\u2019 return. In the rafters hung retired Falcons jerseys and banners commemorating the team\u2019s championship titles.<\/p>\n
Bryan Flores, the Falcons\u2019 play-by-play announcer, admitted that seeing the banners, center ice and the crowd gave him chills.<\/p>\n
For many returning fans, it felt like old times.<\/p>\n
Samantha Ramirez of Fresno said she attended Falcons games as a child, going with her parents to cheer on the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was super fun,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Her decision to attend Friday night\u2019s game against Oceanside came at the last minute.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like it\u2019s a piece of nostalgia,\u201d Ramirez said. \u201cIt\u2019s like living like childhood memories.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then there was Tony Flores, who recently moved to Fresno from the Bay Area, where he rooted for the San Jose Sharks.<\/p>\n
He had never attended a Falcons game, but when he learned the team was back, he couldn\u2019t pass up the opportunity to watch in person.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you want something to inspire you of being a resident … the love of Fresno, the Valley, you found it right here in the Selland Arena with the Fresno Falcons,\u201d Flores said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt don\u2019t get any better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Liz Marmolejo, who attended many Falcons games during the team\u2019s previous run, also returned to welcome the team back alongside fans who had waited years for its return.<\/p>\n
For her, the moment was long overdue.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe pretty much went to a little over half of their games,\u201d she said. \u201cI want to call icing, but I don\u2019t know what that means.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marmolejo may have some hockey rules to learn, but she\u2019ll have time. The Falcons are back at Selland Arena, where they are set to play for years to come.<\/p>\n
Related Stories from Fresno Bee<\/p>\n
Anthony Galaviz<\/a><\/p>\n The Fresno Bee<\/p>\n Anthony Galaviz writes about breaking news\/sports for The Fresno Bee. He covers the Las Vegas Raiders, high schools, boxing, MMA and junior colleges. He\u2019s been with The Bee since 1997 and attended Fresno City College before graduating from Fresno State with a major in journalism and a minor in criminology.\u00a0
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