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Galbraith nets OT winner despite Thunder rally in second period

April 17, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Lance Galbraith scored two goals, including the game-winner at 6:54 into overtime to send the Stockton Thunder to a 3-2 loss to the Idaho Steelheads in game five of the National Conference Quarterfinal round, before a crowd of 4,776 fans at Stockton Arena on Monday night.

Idaho takes a 3-2 series lead (best-of-seven), pushing the Thunder to an elimination matchup in game six on Wednesday in Boise.

#4 Idaho vs. #5 Stockton: *if necessary (all times PT)

Game 1: at Idaho - Stockton 4 - Idaho 2

Game 2: at Idaho - Idaho 3 - Stockton 0

Game 3: at Stockton - Idaho 2 - Stockton 1 (2OT)

Game 4: at Stockton - Stockton 3 - Idaho 2

Game 5: at Stockton - Idaho 3 - Stockton 2 (OT)

Game 6: at Idaho - April 18, 6:10 p.m.

Game 7: at Idaho - April 19, 6:10 p.m*

The Steelheads opened the scoring just over 90 seconds into the first period as a Marty Flichel shot attempt caromed off the glass behind Thunder goaltender Devan Dubnyk directly onto the stick of a wide-open Derek Nesbitt positioned in front of the Stockton goal. The Idaho right-winger proceeded to beat a sprawling Dubnyk to give the Steelheads the 1-0 advantage at 1:32 mark. Nesbitt's tally was his 3rd of the post-season.

Dubnyk would backstop the Thunder penalty-kill on a pair of Idaho power-plays past the midway point of the period turning aside a 20-foot wrist-shot attempt from defenseman Lars Helminen from the slot, and then denying B.J. Crombeen in-tight with less than four minutes remaining in the frame the right-winger crashed the net from the left corner.

Galbraith doubled the Idaho lead at the six-minute mark of the second period on the power-play re-directing a Helminen wrist shot from the left-point by Dubnyk glove-side to give the Steelheads a 2-0 lead. The goal was Galbraith's 2nd of the playoffs. Dubnyk would keep the contest within reach during the course of a subsequent Stockton power-play as the Thunder netminder made a blocker save on a short-handed breakaway opportunity by Nesbitt.

After Steelheads goaltender Steve Silverthorn made a brilliant glove stop on Thunder left-winger Brock Radunske on the tail-end of a 2-on-1 attempt, Stockton would cut the Idaho lead in half at the 15:54 mark of the period as left-winger Tim Sestito tipped a Mark Adamek point shot by Silverthorn stick-side to make the score 2-1. The goal was Sestito's 3rd of the post-season.

That goal sparked the Thunder offense and led to center Colin Pepperall's equalizer with 31.9 seconds remaining in the frame, the beneficiary of a Mike Lalonde feed from behind the Idaho net. Lalonde stripped defenseman Kory Scoran of the puck behind Silverthorn and managed to slide a pass over to an un-marked Pepperall in front for the re-direct. The game-tying goal was Peppreall's 2nd of the playoffs.

Dubnyk succeeded in preserving the 2-2 tie six minutes into the third period with back-to-back saves on a Flichel breakaway attempt from center ice and a glove stop on the subsequent rebound attempt by left-winger John Lammers from several feet beyond the Thunder goal crease.

After the Thunder missed converting on a power-play which carried over into post-regulation, including Silverthorn's point-blank stop on a one-timer by Mike Lalonde at the base of the left circle, Galbraith scored his second goal of the game and the closer by driving down the left wing and snapping a wrist shot over Dubnyk's glove.

The Thunder and Steelheads return to play for game 6 of the series at Qwest Arena, beginning at 6:10 p.m. on Wednesday. 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 has led the ECHL in regular season attendance for two consecutive seasons and drew 244,085 fans (6,780 average) to Stockton Arena this year. Ticket packages and individual tickets for the Kelly Cup Playoffs presented by Diede Construction and California Welding Supply Co. 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.



ECHL Stories from April 17, 2007


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