Boron outduels Moreland in 40-save effort for first pro shutout

December 28, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Tim Boron made 40 saves, including 17 each in the first and third periods to post the first shutout of his professional career and outduel counterpart Jake Moreland, helping lift the Stockton Thunder (12-14-2, 26 points) to a 2-0 victory over the Fresno Falcons before a crowd of 5,253 at Stockton Arena on Friday night.

The Thunder, facing Moreland for the first time since his role of tending the Stockton pipes in 2005-06, has now won three of the last four games in the all-time series and posted its first winning streak since November 6, climbing to within five points of the Falcons for second place in the Pacific Division.

Thunder right wing Ryan MacMurchy, promoted to the first line with the recent call-ups of Jacob Micflikier and Ryan O'Marra, helped Stockton draw first blood in the first period with his sixth goal of the season at the 17:14 mark for a 1-0 Thunder edge. Andy Contois set up the play with a centering pass from the right corner, connecting with MacMurchy in the mid-slot who proceeded to beat Moreland with a snap shot over the glove side.

Boron turned aside all 17 shots faced in the first period, including three Fresno power-play opporitunities.

Boron and Moreland, two alums of St. Cloud State (Minn.) University, continued their goaltending duel in the second period as the 1-0 Thunder lead was preserved through 40 minutes.

Boron had to stop just six shots in the second but robbed Falcons defenseman Pierre-Olivier Beaulieu on a one-timer from the high slot. Moreland stopped 13 Thunder shots in the second period, including a diving save sequence on Adam Huxley from the base of the left circle and a backhander by Jonas Almtorp.

Left wing Brandon Schwartz extended the Thunder cushion to 2-0 on a deflection for his fourth goal of the season with 7:42 left in the game. The power-play tally was set up by L.P. Lachance's pass from the left point which connected with Stephane Goulet at the right circle, who fired a wrist shot that Schwartz re-directed through Moreland's five-hole while setting a screen in front of the former Thunder goaltender.

Boron preserved the victory with a point-blank save on Fresno all-star Oren Eizenman from in-tight and stoned another all-star selection, Kenny MacAulay, on a glove save with a minute left in regulation after MacAulay teed up a one-timer in the slot.

NOTES: Boron had three shutouts in last year's Central Hockey League Playoffs with the Colorado Eagles before tonight's milestone shutout ... the Thunder improved to 4-13-3 lifetime against Fresno and 1-1-0 in the season series ... the Thunder has scored a power-play goal in seven consecutive games and is 12-for-34 (35.3 pct.) in that stretch ... Goulet's assist extended his point-scoring streak to seven consecutive games and has 10 points (3g-7a) in that span.

The Thunder concludes its season-long five-game homestand tomorrow night with a 7:30 p.m. home game against the Victoria Salmon Kings at Stockton Arena. The game can be heard live on radio at 1420-AM KSTN and on the internet (video and audio available) at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks.

Host of the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game and festivities on Jan. 22 and 23, 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 December 28, 2007


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