Sports stats

Bad bounce proves costly for Thunder, Lalonde scores twice in loss

February 3, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Condors right-winger Josh Liebenow buried a loose puck at 12:07 of the third period to lift the Bakersfield Condors to a 3-2 victory over the Stockton Thunder (20-12-8, 48 points) before 8,379 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday night.

Thunder left-winger Mike Lalonde scored twice for Stockton, while center Nathan Martz collected two assists.

Lalonde opened the scoring at the 2:35 mark of the first period beating Condors goaltender Jamie Hodson with a snap-shot stick-side from just inside the left face-off circle. The goal was Lalonde's 17th thus far this season. Bakersfield, however, would tie the score at 1-1 at 5:03 capitalizing on a 4-on-3 power-play opportunity.

Condors center Todd Griffith converted a tape-to-tape feed from defenseman Tyler Scott that beat Thunder goaltender Cam Ellsworth glove-side from the right face-off circle. Griffith's tally was his 19th of the season. Lalonde was awarded a penalty shot with 34.5 seconds remaining in the opening frame, only to be denied by a sprawling Hodson who deflected the puck away with his right pad.

Condors defenseman Scott Balan lifted Bakersfield to a 2-1 advantage at the 7:32 mark of the second period on the power-play with his second goal on the season. Balan's wrist shot from the Thunder blue-line found its way through a myriad of players in front of Ellsworth and got by the Stockton netminder to give the Condors the lead.

Lalonde would level the score at 2-2 at the 11:05 mark on a Thunder 5-on-3 power-play opportunity beating Hodson stick-side with a spin-o-rama type shot along the ice from the right face-off circle. Lalonde's second goal on the night was his 18th marker of the season.

Condors right-winger Josh Liebenow scored what proved to be the game-winning goal at 12:07 of the third period, the beneficiary of an odd rebound bounce off the glass behind Ellsworth. Liebenow, alone in front of the Stockton goaltender, corralled the loose puck and proceeded to beat Ellsworth from the slot position with a shot stick-side to give Bakersfield the 3-2 lead. Liebenow's goal was his 19th on the season.

Lalonde leads the Thunder in scoring against the Condors, posting seven points (5g-2a) in four meetings thus far this season.

Before the game, the Thunder activated left wing Adam Huxley off the three-day injured reserve list, and added goaltender Derek Classen to the roster on an emergency backup basis.

The Thunder returns to play on Saturday, February 3 with a 7:30 p.m. road game against the Fresno Falcons at Save Mart Center. The game can be heard live on the internet (free-of-charge) and is available for viewing for a $6 "pay-per-view" charge at www.stocktonthunder.com (courtesy of B2 Networks).

Thunder season tickets, mini-plans and individual tickets for the 2006-07 season 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 February 3, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Stockton Thunder Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central