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Hirsch's two goals spearheads Thunder attack, falling shy in Monday affair

March 18, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Mark Derlago scored two goals in 10 seconds to lead a four-goal rally by the Bakersfield Condors in the second period, sending the Stockton Thunder (25-34-3, 53 points) to an 8-5 loss at Rabobank Arena on Monday night.

Both teams raced out to a 1-1 tie after the first period, as goaltender Tim Boron made 25 saves. Bakersfield's Brett Lutes broke the scoreless tie with 5:08 left in the period on his 20th goal of the season, beating Boron with a snap shot from the right circle. Brian Lee answered with his 8th goal of the season, a power-play goal to level the score at 1-1 with 2:49 left when he corralled a rebound deep in the slot and stuffed a backhander past the glove of Condors netminder Michel Robinson.

Both teams combined for seven goals in the second period and Bakersfield escaped with a 5-4 advantage through 40 minutes. Thunder rookie Tom Zanoski gave the Thunder a 2-1 lead on a power-play goal at the 4:23 mark on a one-timer. Bakersfield then scored four unanswered goals for a 5-2 advantage, starting with Tim Konsorada's 30th tally of the season with 6:18 gone.

Former Thunder forward Steve Slonina buried a rebound at the right side of the crease to lift Bakersfield to a 3-2 lead with 10:37 gone and rookie Mark Derlago pushed the lead to 4-2 on his team-leading 31st goal of the year at the 11:50 mark with a deflection at the top of the crease.

Just 10 seconds later, Derlago chased Boron with his second goal of the game on a wrist shot from the left circle to push the advantage to 5-2, but the Thunder responded. Tyler Hirsch scored his first goal in a Thunder uniform and the team's third power-play goal, cutting the deficit to 5-3 with 4:10 remaining. Hirsch added his second of the game and 13th of the season with less than two seconds remaining on a wrist shot in the slot, closing the deficit to 5-4.

Bakersfield added two power-play goals from Lutes, his second of the game and Dale Reinhardt, the first goal of his pro career, to expand the lead to 7-4 with 9:17 elapsed. Ryan MacMurchy scored his 18th goal of the season with 2:45 left on a deflection to cut the deficit to 7-5, as Slonina buried his second of the game on an empty-netter to wrap up the score.

NOTES: The Thunder missed the services of Fredrik Johansson (healthy scratch), L.P. Lachance (injured reserve), Jason Beeman (injured reserve), Beau Geisler (injured reserve) and Ryan Geris (injured reserve) ... the Thunder finished its head-to-head regular season record at 4-4-1 against Bakersfield and is now 10-8-7 in the lifetime series ... Stepp had an assist which gives him a five-game scoring streak ... the 26 shots allowed by the Thunder in the first period are a new team record, previously breaking the record of 24 set in 2005-06 (Jake Moreland vs. Utah) and 2006-07 (Devan Dubnyk at Bakersfield) ... The Thunder scored more than two power-play goals in a game for the first time since Jan. 9 at Alaska (3-for-7)

The Thunder continues the four-game road trip on Wednesday against the Idaho Steelheads, beginning at 6:10 p.m. from Qwest Arena. The game can be heard live on radio at 1420-AM KSTN and online (video and audio available) at http://www.stocktonthunder.com/, courtesy of B2 Networks.

The Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for two consecutive seasons and drew 244,085 fans to the 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 March 18, 2008


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