Ianiero caps off comeback with OT winner, Thunder snaps 0-4-0 skid

Published on December 28, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Andrew Ianiero's goal with 47 seconds into overtime capped off a three-goal comeback for the Bakersfield Condors, who edged the Stockton Thunder (12-9-5, 29 points), 4-3 in sudden death overtime, before 5,338 fans at Rabobank Arena on Monday.

The Thunder, who ended a four-game losing skid, were aided by Garrett Zemlak's 32 saves, while counterpart Josh Tordjman earned the win with 34 stops. Bretton Cameron, Jesse Gimblett ( ‚¬Å“Gordie Howe Hat Trick ‚¬Â with goal, assist and fight) and Chris Lawrence each scored for the Thunder.

Bakersfield erased a 3-1 deficit in the final seven minutes with back-to-back goals from J.D. Corbin and Slava Truhkno.

Both teams traded a goal in the first period for a 1-1 tie after 20 minutes, starting on Cameron's fifth of the season just 2:35 into the game. After Josh Tordjman stopped Ryan Constant's bid from the left point, Cameron poked the puck through Tordjman on a scrum in the crease.

Stephane Goulet leveled the score, 1-1 at 9:19 of the first period when he dangled from the right boards into open space between the hash marks and worked around the defense's series of poke checks. Goulet buried the puck into a half open net for his 12th goal of the season.

Gimblett's sixth goal of the season put the Thunder ahead again, 2-1 with 4:03 gone in the second period when he raced down the right wing and snapped a wrist shot through Tordjman's five-hole.

A power-play goal by Lawrence expanded the bulge to 3-1 with 6:18 left in the second period, when he slammed a rebound into a half open net from the bottom of the left wing circle, after Tordjman stopped Constant's snap shot from the mid slot.

Corbin's goal cut the deficit to 3-2 with seven minutes left in regulation when he raced behind the defense and tucked a forehand shot past Zemlak's blocker.

With the Thunder protecting the one-goal lead, Michael Gergen lost an edge in the Thunder zone with less than three minutes left, nearby the crease, and Zemlak was whistled for a tripping penalty. Defenseman Anthony Aiello was tacked with an extra two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct, and the Condors capitalized by tying the game.

With just 1:38 left in regulation, Slava Truhkno finished Brad Snetsinger's post-to-post feed at the blocker side of Zemlak to tie the game on a 5-on-3 situation.

Just 47 seconds into overtime, Ianiero got a deflection heading to the left goal post, finishing Snetsinger's pass from the right circle to end the game.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Chase Ryan (healthy), Jim McKenzie (injured reserve), Trevor Hunt (injured reserve), Aaron Clarke (healthy) and Tyson Sexsmith (injured reserve) ‚¬Â¦ the Thunder went 1-for-4 on the power-play and outshot the Condors, 37-36 ‚¬Â¦ Gimblett and Bobby Robbins dropped the gloves in the second period at 10:14.

The Thunder returns to play on Wednesday, hosting the Las Vegas Wranglers at Stockton Arena, starting at 7:00 p.m. The game can be heard on radio at 1280 AM KWSX (joined in progress) and viewed live on the internet (pay-per-view video charge) at www.StocktonThunder.com, courtesy of AmericaOne.

A two-time recipient of the ECHL ‚¬Å“Award of Excellence, ‚¬Â Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew over 200,000 fans for the fifth consecutive season in 2009-10. Season Tickets, mini-plans and individual tickets for 2010-11 are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit http://www.stocktonthunder.com/.

THREE STARS:

1. BAK - 9 Andrew Ianiero

2. BAK - 24 J.D. Corbin

3. BAK - 22 Stephane Goulet

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ECHL Stories from December 28, 2010


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