Konsorada's game winning goal helps Condors defeat Thunder

Published on October 19, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Tim Konsorada scored a game-winning goal for the Bakersfield Condors with 1:36 remaining in regulation to cap a three-goal rally, sending the Stockton Thunder (0-1-0, 0 points) to a 3-2 loss at Rabobank Arena, before 6,025 on Friday night in the 2007-08 season opener.

Both teams battled to a scoreless tie which spotlighted both teams' penalty-kill units. The Thunder held Bakersfield scoreless on three power-plays while the Condors kept the Thunder off the board at the same rate. Goaltender Cam Ellsworth stopped 11 Bakersfield shots.

Rookie David Rohlfs scored his first pro goal at the second period's 2:22 mark for a 1-0 Thunder lead. Rohlfs converted on a 2-on-1 break, one-timing a shot from the right wing off the shoulder of Yutaka Fukufuji. Nearly five minutes later, Jesse Bennefield scored his first goal in a Thunder uniform to expand the lead to 2-0, finishing a two-man advantage by converting on defenseman Brad Farynuk's centering pass from the right boards.

Seconds after a near-miss by Bennefield on a breakaway, Bakersfield cut the Thunder lead to 2-1 on Joe Dustin's first goal of the season. Brett Lutes led a 4-on-2 scoring chance and his right wing feed found Dustin in the middle of the slot, who beat Ellsworth with a snap shot past the goaltender's glove.

Bakersfield got a goal from rookie Mark Derlago at the third period's 8:46 mark to tie the game before Konsorada scored the winner. Derlago's goal was set-up with a feed from the right wing by Andrew Ianiero, whose pass was re-directed in the slot by Derlago and through Ellsworth's five-hole.

Ellsworth paced the Thunder defensive efforts with 26 saves, while Bakersfield was led by Fukufuji's 28 stops.

Before the game, the Thunder placed rookie center Tyler Skworchinski on the three-day injured reserve list, while Bennefield, center Brandon Schwartz and defenseman Brian Lee were named alternate captains. The team's captaincy is expected to be announced shortly before the Thunder's home opener on October 27 against Alaska.

The Thunder continues its season-opening four-game road trip with a Sunday matchup against the Las Vegas Wranglers, starting at 7:00 p.m. from Orleans Arena. The Thunder faces the Alaska Aces on Saturday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m. PT in the home opener at Stockton Arena.

Host of the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game and festivities on Jan. 22 and 23, the Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for two consecutive seasons and drew 244,085 fans to 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.

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