Dubnyk makes 25 saves in goaltending duel, Wood collects game-winner

January 27, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska * Defenseman Stephen Wood scored a game-winning second period goal while goaltender Chris Beckford-Tseu made 18 saves as the Stockton Thunder (19-10-8, 46 points) dropped a 3-1 decision to the Alaska Aces before 5,197 at Sullivan Arena on Friday.

In the battle of All-Star goaltenders, Thunder goaltender Devan Dubnyk made 25 saves to lead the Thunder defensive efforts, including a range of point-blank chances throughout the game.

Dubnyk kept the game scoreless for most of the opening period including a one-timed stop on Alaska's leading scorer Kimbi Daniels halfway through the frame. Alaska got the first goal of the game however with just 11 seconds remaining in the period for a power-play goal, as Matt Shasby corralled a stopped shot from the stick of Daniels and buried the rebound past Dubnyk from the slot for his sixth goal of the season.

Stockton garnered a 5-on-3 power-play and capitalized on Mike Lalonde's 15th goal of the season with 8:39 elapsed in the second. Lalonde took Beau Geisler's set-up and slipped a wrist shot from the right circle through traffic and past the five-hole of Beckford-Tseu.

With both teams skating 4-on-4, Alaska regained the lead at a 2-1 score with 3:51 left in the second, when Wood beat Dubnyk with a wrist shot from the left circle. Among Dubnyk's 10 second period stops were two point-blank saves on Alaska's Barrett Heisten.

Alaska picked up an insurance marker for a 3-1 advantage just 51 seconds into the third on Kevin Croxton's 16th goal of the season, burying a rebound at the doorstep after Dubnyk stopped Vladimir Novak's point-blank bid.

Before the game, the Thunder placed defenseman Jeff Lang on the three-day injured reserve list.

The Thunder and Aces wrap the final game of the season series on Saturday, January 27, beginning at 8:15 p.m. at Sullivan Arena. 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 January 27, 2007


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