Dubnyk stops 27 in second career shutout, Thunder wins eighth straight

Published on March 31, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - All-star goaltender Devan Dubnyk stopped 27 shots to earn his second career shutout, while veteran defenseman Jason Beckett scored a career-high three points (1g-2a) to lead the Stockton Thunder (35-22-10, 80 pts) to a 4-0 decision over the Phoenix Roadrunners before 9,234 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday night.

The Thunder remains in 5th position in the National Conference with the victory, two points back of the Idaho Steelheads.

Thunder center Nathan Martz opened the scoring at the 14:36 mark of the first period jamming a loose puck atop the Roadrunners goal crease past goaltender Cody Rudkowsky to give Stockton a 1-0 lead. The goal came as a direct result of a Martz rush down the left-wing that saw the Thunder forward elude a Roadrunners defenseman at the left face-off circle, and head directly towards the Phoenix net causing the puck to eventually elude Rudkowsky.

Martz would make the most of the opportunity to collect his 9th tally on the season. Minutes earlier, Dubnyk denied a partial break-away opportunity by Phoenix right-winger Justin Aikins, turning aside a 15-foot wrist-shot from the slot position. Dubnyk preserved the Stockton lead in the waning moments of the frame with a glove save through a screen on a point shot from defenseman Brian Yandle with 9.1 seconds remaining in the period during the course of a Phoenix power-play.

The Thunder doubled their advantage at the 9:15 mark of the second period as center Colin Pepperall slid a loose puck in the Phoenix goal crease by Rudkowsky to make the score 2-0. The scoring opportunity came off a Brock Radunske shot attempt that had the Thunder left-winger wait Rudkowsky out, causing the Phoenix netminder to make a sprawling save and subsequently fall out of position.

Pepperall made the most of the opening to score his 7th goal of the season. Beckett increased the Thunder lead to 3-0 at 15:42 on the power-play converting a one-time feed from left-winger Tim Sestito that beat Rudkowsky glove-side for his 5th goal on the season.

Stockton struck again at the :37 second mark of the third period short-handed as left-winger Liam Reddox capped an end-to-end rush up the right side with his 6th goal of the season, deking Rudkowsky five-hole to give the Thunder the 4-0 advantage.

The Thunder outshot the Roadrunners 48-27 in the win.

The Thunder returns to play tomorrow with a 7:00 p.m. road game against the Bakersfield Condors at Rabobank Arena. The game can be heard live on the internet (free-of-charge) and is available for viewing at a $6 "pay-per-view" charge at www.stocktonthunder.com (courtesy of B2 Networks).

Recently named host of the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game, the Thunder drew 228,364 fans to Stockton Arena in its inaugural season, the ECHL's best attendance mark for 2005-06. Ticket packages for the Kelly Cup Playoffs presented by Diede Construction and 2007-08 Thunder season tickets 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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ECHL Stories from March 31, 2007


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