Kalemba closes out weekend with first career pro shutout, 24 saves

February 20, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Rookie goaltender Zane Kalemba made 24 saves for his first career shutout and center Chris Lawrence added a pair of goals and an assist to lift the Stockton Thunder (27-16-9, 63 points) to 4-0 victory over the Victoria Salmon Kings, before a crowd of 5,556 at Stockton Arena on Sunday.

Kalemba, who beat the team that once traded for him earlier this season and improved to 5-1-2 on the season, helped the Thunder improve to 7-3-0 in the head-to-head series and move into sole possession of third place in the Western Conference, four points behind first place Las Vegas.

‚¬Å“Kalemba made some unbelievable saves and (Victoria) had some unbelievable chances, ‚¬Â said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. ‚¬Å“I think the guys felt bad that they didn't complete the effort to get the shutout last night and tonight I think there was a bit more effort, especially in that late penalty kill in the third period. ‚¬Â

Kalemba has stopped the last 48 of 49 shots faced. Fraser Clair and Cameron Brodie each added a goal and assist.

Stockton struck first for the second time in two nights at 11:11 of the first period from a slap shot from Lawrence that made it 1-0. Lawrence charged into the attacking zone and let rip a shot from the high slot that beat the glove of David Shantz, deflecting off the goal post as it went in.

Just five minutes into the second period, Clair picked up his 16th goal of the season after wristing one from the slot and doubling the lead, 2-0 on a feed by Craig Valette from beneath the right goal line.

On an offensive rush, Kelly Czuy started the play that would lead to a third Thunder goal, as he threw the puck towards the net. Brodie deflected Czuy's play past Shantz at 15:05 to further increase the lead to 3-0.

Lawrence's second goal of the game, coming on the power play with 13:31 left in regulation, boosted the Thunder to a 4-0 lead when he buried a wrist shot from between the circles off a Jordan Fulton drop pass. The goal capped of f a Thunder rally just moments after Shantz made a diving save at the right post.

With both teams combining for 120 penalty minutes the previous night, only 44 penalty minutes were called and one scrap occurred with 3:43 left in the game, leaving Jordan Bendfeld with a five minute fighting major opposite to a two minute roughing penalty nailed on Stefanishion.

Kalemba and the Thunder killed off the three minute major power play the close out the game and Shantz fell to 20-19-1 with the loss.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Bretton Cameron (healthy), Jody Pederson (healthy), Jesse Gimblett (healthy), Bryan Pitton (injured, day-to-day) and Ryan Constant (injured reserve) ‚¬Â¦the shots were nearly even, with Stockton leading 25-24 ‚¬Â¦Stockton successfully killed off all six penalties in the game ‚¬Â¦ Lawrence finished the weekend with seven points (5g-2a) in the most recent two games.

The Thunder returns to play on Tuesday, February 22, hosting the Bakersfield Condors at Stockton Arena, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The game can be heard on radio at 1280 KWSX 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. STK - 1 Zane Kalemba

2. STK - 19 Chris Lawrence

3. STK - 3 Cameron Brodie



ECHL Stories from February 20, 2011


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