Hodge paces Thunder offense with two goals, Rodberg nets winner in shootout

Published on January 13, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. * Steve Rodberg scored a game-winning goal in the sixth round of the shootout as the Stockton Thunder (17-7-6, 40 points) moved to 2-0-1 in its last three games, with the Bakersfield Condors swiping the game's extra second point in a 5-4Thunder shootout loss in front of 6,810 at Stockton Arena on Friday.

Rodberg's goal came after Bakersfield's captain Sean Venedam forced the five-round shootout into sudden-death stages with a goal in the last of the fifth round.

Left wing Mike Lalonde scored a highlight-reel goal in the first period for his 12th on the year for a 1-0 Thunder lead, taking an outlet pass by defenseman Jeff Lang, slipping into the Bakersfield defensive zone through the right wing, stickhandled past the Condors defense and wired a wrist shot past Bakersfield goaltender Jamie Hodson's glove side at the 12:50 mark.

Bakersfield's Venedam tied the game at 1-1 with 17:27 gone on a delayed penalty, taking advantage of open ice and beating Thunder netminder Devan Dubnyk with a wrist shot over the blocker side.

Red-hot Alex Kim gave the Condors its first lead at 2-1 with 2:33 gone into the second period, as Kim closed a 5-on-3 man advantage with a blast from the mid slot that deflected past Dubnyk's glove. The Thunder retaliated to tie the game at 2-2 on Jeff Lang's third marker of the season with a 5-on-3 power-play, burying an open-net rebound from the left circle after Hodson deflected Lalonde's one-timer from the half wall.

Rookie defenseman Bryan Young leveled Bakersfield left wing Brett Lutes early in the third period in attempts to spark a Thunder attack, which was countered with 5:55 elapsed when Josh Liebenow scored his 12th of the year to give Bakersfield a 3-2 lead on a 40-footer from the slot. Kevin Truelson blocked a Thunder clearing attempt against the left boards, and tipped the puck to Rane Carnegie, who found Liebenow at the blueline.

Assistant captain Brendon Hodge shot back to tie the game at 3-3 just 30 seconds later, when Hodge converted a loose puck in the slot and beat Hodson through the five-hole. Hodge followed with his second goal of the night and eighth of the season with 10:34 elapsed, taking Stephane Goulet's feed at the left circle and stickhandled past a Bakersfield defender into the slot, faked Hodson to his knees and rifled a shot over the goaltender's glove for a 4-3 Thunder advantage.

Carnegie tied the game on a breakaway with 3:12 left to force overtime at a 5-5 tie, which moved into the shootout stages as Hodge scored a first round goal on a backhander past Hodson's blocker. Venedam then tied the game in the fifth round to force a sudden-death frame, setting up Rodberg's game-winner.

A trio of Thunder paced the offense with two points each as Hodge scored two goals, while all-star defenseman Beau Geisler and Goulet each notched two assists.

The Thunder and Condors square-off in a rematch at Stockton Arena on Saturday, January 13, beginning at 7:30 p.m. 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.

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ECHL Stories from January 13, 2007


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