8,126 fans witness Thunder streak to 8-0-4, setting new club record

Published on November 21, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder (8-1-4, 20 points) broke a club record for the longest unbeaten streak in regulation, extended to 12 straight games in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Idaho Steelheads before 8,126 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday night.

The Thunder, who haven't lost in regulation since Oct. 15 - an opening night, 6-3 defeat to Ontario - are now 8-0-4 in the last 12 games and claimed a point to move one ahead of Alaska for first place in the Western Conference.

"You've got to be happy with the streak," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "Anytime you get points, you're doing something right. I remember talking with my father, my first year in Fresno (Falcons were 2006 National Conference Finalist) and we had 14 losses in overtime or shootouts. I remember him saying 'as long as that loss column is low', you're doing something right every night. "

Garrett Zemlak produced 25 saves for the Thunder, and was outdueled by Mike Zacharias' 27 stops, including four of five in the shootout. John Swanson won the game in the fifth round with a wrist shot from beneath the hash marks that deflected off Zemlak's pads.

"Credit to Idaho's goaltender in the shootout and credit to ours," said Thomas. "Zemlak was great."

"I'm very proud of this club," said Thunder owner Brad Rowbotham after the game. "They have a set this new record through a combination of skill, toughness and attitude. Matt Thomas has put a very strong team together this year."

Chris Lawrence scored the only goal for the Thunder, answered by Marty Flichel's power-play goal in the third period.

Zemlak matched Mike Zacharias, save-for-save in the first period to keep the game scoreless. His biggest stop came on John Swanson's wrist shot from between the circles, denying the bid with a blocker save.

The Thunder finally broke through on Mike Zacharias with Lawrence's fifth goal of the season, 5:07 into the second period for a 1-0 lead. After Zacharias stopped Daryl Marcoux's slap shot from the right point, Lawrence whacked the rebound to the back of the net, from mid-air.

Zemlak turned aside all ten shots faced in the second period.

Idaho earned a five-on-three power-play when Aaron Clarke was penalized in a high-sticking in a faceoff collision with opponent John Swanson. Mark Derlago caught a piece of the collision and Flichel converted just 1:12 into the third period, when his wrist shot from the left circle slipped through traffic.

Idaho dodged a late Thunder power-play with 3:20 left in regulation and both teams exchanged shootout goals in the second round, between Lawrence and Mike Gabinet. After Clarke was stopped on a forehand deke in the fifth round, Swanson put the game away by beating Zemlak on a wrist shot through the middle of the ice.

Zemlak moved his record to 1-1-1 and has stopped 59 of 62 shots in two games with Stockton.

"All in all, we had another great game by Zemlak and killed two five-on-threes," said Thomas. "We take something out of the series - if we continue to play at 5-on-5, we have opportunities to win."

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