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Five-goal third dooms Thunder

November 7, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


PHOENIX, Ariz. - Jeff Kryzakos scored his first pro hat trick and had an assist to lead a five-goal, third period rally by the Phoenix RoadRunners, sending the Stockton Thunder (5-4-0, 10 points) to a 6-5 loss before a crowd of 2,395 at U.S. Airways Center on Wednesday night, before a crowd of 2,395.

Paced by the checking line of Geoff Paukovich, Ryan MacMurchy and Adam Huxley, the Thunder raced out to a 4-0 lead in the first period. Rookie defenseman Sebastien Bisaillon started the scoring just 3:43 into the game with a shot from the right circle that kicked off a RoadRunners defenseman and past goaltender Cody Rudkowsky's blocker side.

Paukovich expanded the lead to 2-0 with his first goal of the game, burying a rebound past Rudkowsky's glove from close range after the RoadRunners netminder denied a point-blank shot by Huxley.

Paukovich's second goal came nearly three minutes later by scoring his third of the year at the 10:09 mark, re-directing a centering pass by MacMurchy from the right wing. Just 2:41 later, Ryan O'Marra scored his fifth goal of the year to put the Thunder up by four, after Brian Lee's shot from the right wing took a hard carom off the backboards, followed by O'Marra stuffing the rebound inside the left goal post.

Both teams cranked up the physical pressure in the second period, producing a handful of power-play chances. Phoenix got a power-play goal with 8:43 to go to cut the deficit to 4-1 on Jeff Kryzakos' second goal of the season, burying a loose puck from the top of the crease after both teams battled for a rebound. MacMurchy scored his first goal of the season with 2:35 left on a power-play goal to put the Thunder up 4-1, setting a screen in front of backup goaltender Nathan Lawson and deflecting Brad Farynuk's bid from the high slot past the blocker of Lawson.

Phoenix scored three goals in a span of 4:02 to get back in the game, starting with two consecutive goals by Kryzakos and completing his hat trick at the four minute mark, taking a one-timer in the slot and beating Thunder goaltender Cam Ellsworth to the stick side. Off a faceoff at the 7:01 mark, Mitch Carefoot slipped a wrist shot from the right circle and beat Ellsworth to cut the lead to one.

Phoenix scored two consecutive power-play goals to cap the rally, starting with Brian Yandle's game-tying, 5-on-3 goal with 4:30 left in the game on a one-timer from the mid-slot. Just 17 seconds later, Ian Turner converted a rebound left from an Ellsworth stop on Peder Skinner for the eventual game-winning goal. The Thunder garnered a 6-on-3 skating situation and a one-timer by Bisaillon just flew shy of the left goal post in the waning seconds, preserving Phoenix's comeback win.

NOTES: The four-goal first period tied a Thunder record for most goals in one period, previously accomplished three times (most recent - March 24, 2007 at Utah) ... Phoenix's five goals in the third period set a single-game club record ... Farynuk had three assists to lead the Thunder scoring.

The Thunder finishes the three-game road stretch tomorrow with a 6:11p.m. rematch at U.S. Airways Center against the Phoenix RoadRunners. The game can be heard live on radio at 1420 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 November 7, 2007


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