7,549 fans enjoy record setting offensive night in eight-goal rout

February 20, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Chris Lawrence collected a hat trick and goaltender Zane Kalemba made 24 saves as the Stockton Thunder (26-16-9, 61 points) posted a record setting night offensively, routing the Victoria Salmon Kings in a 8-1 victory before 7,549 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday.

The Thunder, whose eight goals tied a franchise record for one game and broke another for most goals in a home game, scored six unanswered goals and chased goaltender David Shantz after 40 minutes.

Chris Lawrence led the charge with his first career hat trick plus an assist, to increase the Thunder's record to 6-3-0 against Victoria this season. Steve Vanoosten (1g-1a, fight) and Jordan Fulton (1g-2a, fight) each recorded "Gordie Howe Hat Tricks," while Jarett Konkle and Garet Hunt also added two assists each during the victory.

"It was one of those nights where everything went right our way," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "We talked a lot about letting teams off the hook in our building and we couldn't do it, we needed to come out with a certain level of intensity and physical play. The guys played strong in front of Kalemba and the eight goals definitely made it less stressful. I'm excited about the outcome."

Stockton opened up the scoring in the first period at 4:57, with a quick deflection from P.A. Bureau that made it 1-0. It was just a matter of tapping it in after Konkle fed a nice pass to where Bureau was stationed in front of the net.

The second Thunder goal proved controversial, with sticks flying every which way, as most of the Thunder battled in front of the net in the attacking zone. Ultimately, Lawrence received by batting the puck into the net from mid-air, just beneath the crossbar, making it 2-0 at 11:56.

Hunt dropped the gloves for the second time during the opening period, this time with Matt Stefanishion at 19:16, which earned them both fighting majors. Stefanishion also received an extra minor penalty for roughing, which gave the Thunder their first power play of the game.

With only five seconds left in the period during the man-advantage, Vanoosten scored his fifth goal of the season, with a shot from the high slot that beat David Shantzand increased their lead to 3-0.

Stockton added three more goals in the second period, beginning with a goal by Fulton at 12:07, during the Thunder's third power play of the game. Fulton deflected Vanoosten's long shot from the point to put it past Shantz and increase the lead to 4-0.

Less than two minutes later, Chase Ryan added one to the scoreboard and made it 5-0, when he stuffed a one-timer through Shantz's five-hole at 14:26.

At 19:50, Lawrence got his second of the night on a two-on-two rush into the attacking zone when Fulton passed him the puck as they reached the bottom of the two circles. Lawrence's shot flew by the goalie's glove side via a deflection off traffic and made it 6-0.

Victoria finally tallied one on the board at 5:06 during the final period. Victoria was on a power play when Derek Couture buried a backhander, denying Kalemba of his shut-out and making it 6-1.

Fraser Clair wasn't one to be left out, as he further increased the lead to 7-1 with less than two minutes remaining in the game. Clair scooped up the rebound after a Jordan Benfield's shot from the blue line bounced off the pads of Chris Beckford-Tseu.

Lawrence finished Stockton's routing of Victoria by making the score 8-1at 18:17 and thereby completing his hat trick, stashing a rebound from beneath the right circle.

Kalemba improved his overall record to 4-1-2, while Shantz fell to 20-18-1.



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