Idaho snaps Stockton's five-game winning streak on Sparre's hat trick

February 10, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Battling through their fourth game in six nights with a shorthanded roster, the Stockton Thunder (23-21-5, 51 points) had its five-game winning streak snapped by giving up six straight goals in a 6-1 loss to the Idaho Steelheads before 4,245 fans at Stockton Arena on Monday night.

Kris Sparre led Idaho's offense with the first hat trick of his pro career, while veteran Marty Flichel registered three assists. The Thunder dressed just nine forwards and five true defensemen for the game, with additional time split on the blueline between converted forward David Rohlfs and Ben Laing, who was making his ECHL debut. Mike Lalonde scored the only Thunder goal while Idaho goaltender Matt Climie registered 17 saves.

Both teams ended up deadlocked at 0-0 after the first period. Despite being outshot by Idaho 14-6 in the opening period, goaltender Bryan Pitton kept the Thunder in the game with an array of point-blank saves, including a rip in the mid-slot by Matt Stephenson at the halfway point. Climie countered with six stops for Idaho.

Lalonde broke the scoreless tie just 52 seconds into the second period when he carried the puck from behind the left goal line and roofed a backhander under the crossbar from a tight angle for his 16th goal of the year.

Idaho leveled the score just 1:51 later when Sparre scored his first of the game and 11th of the year, who finished off a wraparound attempt into an empty net. Sparre created the scoring chance by driving to the outside of the right wing, taking Pitton off the goal post and parking a backhander into the net.

Mark Bomersback's first of two goals put Idaho ahead 2-1 at 4:01 when he re-directed Kory Scoran's blast from the left point past Pitton's blocker. Garrett Bembridge hiked the lead to 3-1 with 4:10 left in the period with his 11th goal of the season and Sparre followed promptly with his second goal of the game with 38 seconds left in the second period when he converted a 2-on-1 opportunity with a one-timer from the slot.

Bomersback finished a centering pass by Bembridge at the goal mouth for his second goal of the game with 11:08 left in regulation to put Idaho up 5-1 on a two-man advantage situation. On the ensuing 5-on-4 advantage, Sparre finished Bryan McGregor's centering pass from the right wing and beat Pitton with a snap shot just 34 seconds later to stretch finish the scoring.

The end of the game turned physical and emotions boiled over into four separate fights in the final span of 5:23, as both clubs combined for 76 penalty minutes in the game and eight fighting majors. Idaho, who burned the clock on a five-on-three power-play, collected their fifth win in the last six games.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Marc-Andre Bernier (injured reserve), Jordan Bendfeld (injured reserve), Cleve Kinley (injured reserve) and Ryan Constant (injured reserve) ... the Steelheads outshot the Thunder 36-18 ... Laing, a native of Rochester, N.Y., made his ECHL debut after being signed by the Thunder as a free agent on the same day ... MacMurchy's assist on Lalonde's goal extended his scoring streak to four consecutive since returning from injury.

The Thunder returns to play on Friday, hosting the Utah Grizzlies at 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena. The game is available on radio at 1420 KSTN and online (audio is free-of-charge) for viewing for a $7 charge at http://www.stocktonthunder.com/ (courtesy of B2 Networks).

The proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, the Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for three consecutive seasons and drew 239,337 fans to Stockton Arena in 2007-08. Season, group, individual tickets and mini plan packages 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/.



ECHL Stories from February 10, 2009


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