Boron's 43 saves sparks second straight two-goal, third period comeback

Published on November 30, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah - The Stockton Thunder (8-9-2, 18 points) battled back from a two-goal deficit in the third period for the second straight game, but the Utah Grizzlies took the extra point on goaltender Michael Mole's four shootout saves in a 3-2 shootout win over the Thunder before 4,266 at The E-Center on Saturday.

Mole made 30 saves in regulation and overtime, closing the game when Thunder rookie Ryan O'Marra's wrist shot clanged off the right goal post in the fifth round of the shootout. Making his second consecutive start, Thunder goaltender Tim Boron helped spark the comeback with a 43-save effort and is unbeaten in regulation (3-0-1) in his last four games.

Utah took an early 1-0 lead on veteran Scott Burt's 10th goal of the year at the 3:29 mark of the first period, following up on defenseman Jordan Hart's blocked shot from the right point that caromed toward Burt's stick in the slot. Burt whistled a slapshot past Boron to put Utah on the board.

Burt scored his second of the game and 11th goal of the season just 2:07 into the second period, capitalizing on a Thunder defensive turnover. Burt picked off a pass deep in the slot, skated on Boron all by himself and beat the Thunder goaltender through the five-hole for a 2-0 Utah advantage.

Mole kept the Thunder at-bay with 17 saves through two periods. Boron kept the game at a two-goal pace with a point-blank save on a Michael Haley one-timer late in the period, stoning the Grizzlies forward at the top of the crease with a blocker save.

The Thunder fed off Boron's save and cut Utah's lead to 2-1 on a 5-on-3 power-play goal by O'Marra in the third period, his team-leading eighth of the year, with 10:41 left in regulation. Leading scorer Jacob Micflikier set-up O'Marra at the bottom of the left circle and rifled a wrist shot under the crossbar to the stick side of Mole.

Geoff Paukovich's fifth goal of the year tied the score at 2-2 with 3:45 left in regulation, capping the comeback when Adam Huxley's centering pass from the right corner found its way through traffic and onto Paukovich's stick at the top of the crease, who stuffed a shot past Mole's right pad.

The Thunder threatened to take the lead late when they were awarded a five-minute major power play with 3:28 remaining. Utah's Michael Haley was ejected from the game after jumping into the middle of a post-whistle scrum between Burt and the Thunder's Brian Lee, nailed with a fighting major and "third man in" game misconduct penalty.

Utah diffused the Thunder threat and capitalized on shootout goals from Trevor Smith and Tyler Haskins. Jesse Bennefield buried the only Thunder goal of the shootout, while Andy Contois missed in the third round when his bid rang off the goal post.

NOTES: Before the game, the Thunder placed right wing Ryan MacMurchy on the seven-day injured reserve list ... the Thunder moved its record to 8-6-1 in the all-time series against Utah and is unbeaten in regulation in the last five games at The E-Center (4-0-1).

Stockton finishes the three-game series with the Utah Grizzlies tomorrow at The E-Center, starting at 6:05 p.m. The game can be heard live exclusively 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.

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