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Idaho's two power-play goals sends Thunder to third straight loss

January 30, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


BOISE, Idaho - Veteran Marty Flichel scored a goal and added two assists for the Idaho Steelheads, who scored two power-play goals to send the Stockton Thunder (18-21-2, 38 points) to a 4-2 loss before a crowd of 3,322 at Qwest Arena on Tuesday night.

The Thunder, who got its only goal on a third power-play goal from Ryan MacMurchy, dropped its first regular season game in Boise since November 2006 and had its four-game winning streak against Idaho snapped.

The Thunder fell in a 2-0 hole after one period and was outshot by Idaho at an 11-5 clip. Rookie Ethan Graham scored his first goal in a Steelheads uniform just 4:07 into the game to put the Thunder down 1-0 when his one-timer deflected off the inside of Thunder goaltender Tim Boron's five-hole and into the net, with the shot set up by Marty Flichel from the left circle.

Veteran Darrell Hay scored a power-play goal with 4:33 left in the frame to increase the Idaho lead to 2-0, set up by Greg Rallo from the left circle. Hay lined up a blast from the top of the slot that beat Boron to the glove side with a screen at the top of the crease.

Bill Kinkel expanded the Steelheads advantage to 3-0 at the conclusion of a power-play with 10:23 left in the second period. Kinkel corralled a pass from Alexander Naurov at the base of the right circle and flipped a wrist shot that beat Boron under the crossbar for his second goal of the year.

The Thunder was stymied by Idaho goaltender Matt Zaba's 10 saves in the second period and was left blanked on six power-play chances through 40 minutes, including a 5-on-3 man-advantage for over a minute of length.

Flichel scored his 10th goal of the season on a two-man advantage just 32 seconds into the third period to hike the Idaho lead to 4-0. Lance Galbraith set up Flichel from the right wing half-wall for the goal, completed by Flichel's one-timer from the high-slot that beat Boron to the blocker side.

MacMurchy finished the scoring on the Thunder's ninth and final power-play opportunity of the game, burying a one-timer at the left circle for his team-leading 14th goal of the year at the 12:35 mark of the third period.

Boron took the loss despite making 26 saves and stopping a breakaway on Idaho's John Snowden in the second period. Zaba countered with 22 stops for the Steelheads.

NOTES: The Thunder missed the services of Beau Geisler (injured reserve) and Spencer Carbery (injured reserve) ... the Thunder dropped to 2-1-0 in season series and 9-8-1 in all-time series ... the Thunder made its first visit to Qwest Arena since last season's six-game playoff series against the Steelheads in the National Conference quarterfinals.

The Thunder returns to play tomorrow to finish the three-game road trip with a 6:05 p.m. game against the Idaho Steelheads from Qwest Arena. The game can be heard live on radio at 1420-AM KSTN and online (video and audio available) at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks.

The Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for two consecutive seasons and drew 244,085 fans to Stockton Arena in 2006-07. Season tickets, group tickets and individual tickets for 2007-08 are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.stocktonthunder.com.



ECHL Stories from January 30, 2008


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