Lenes buries a pair of goals to send Thunder to six goal defeat

Published on November 21, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


ONTARIO, Calif. - Rookie forward Peter Lenes scored two goals to help lead a six-unanswered goal rally by the Ontario Reign in the first 35 minutes of play, sending the Stockton Thunder (4-8-3, 11 points) to an 8-2 defeat before 5,269 fans at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Friday.

The loss, which spoiled the return of Igor Gongalsky to the lineup, extended the Thunder winless streak to seven games (0-4-3) and Ontario goaltender Mike Zacharias picked up the win with 21 saves.

Ontario roared out of the gates with three goals in a span of 3:18 in the first period to assume a 3-0 cushion. Greg Hogeboom took Jon Francisco's centering pass and whipped a one-timer through the five-hole of goaltender Andrew Perugni for a 1-0 Ontario lead at the 4:43 mark.

Lenes buried his first of the game to hike the lead to 2-0 at 7:38 when he found the back of the net with a slap shot from the left circle that ricocheted off Perugini's glove.

Dwight King scored his fourth of the year 23 seconds later to boost the lead to three goals, taking Geoff Walker's post-to-post feed and tucking in a one-timer at the right side of the crease.

Geoff Walker collected his first goal of the year at 2:19 of the second period to hike the lead to 4-0 and Mike Howe followed by chasing Perugini with a shorthanded tally at 9:35 to push the lead to 5-0, taking Jon Francisco's cross-ice pass and beating Perugini with a wrist shot from the deep slot.

David Walker's wrist shot eluded the five-hole of new goaltender Bryan Pitton for a 6-0 Ontario edge with 4:47 left in the period, but the Thunder finally responded with Steve Vanoosten's second goal of the year with 0.6 left in the period.

At a four-on-four situation, Oren Eizenman won a faceoff at the right circle and tied up Jon Francisco. The puck sat alone for Vanoosten, who ripped a wrist shot past Zacharias' glove.

Michael Pelech's one-timer from the slot put Ontario ahead, 7-1 when he converted Mike Howe's pass from the left boards with 5:20 into the third period. Colton Yellow Horn then took a Craig Valette lead and cut the Thunder deficit to 7-2 on a wrist shot from the right circle with 6:55 elapsed for his second goal of the year.

Lenes wrapped up the scoring with his second goal of the game on the Reign's second shorthanded tally with 9:46 left in the game with a slapshot from the left circle.

The eight goals surrendered by the Thunder tied a club record for one game.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Matt O'Dette (injured reserve), Chris D'Alvise (injured reserve) and Kelly Czuy (injured reserve)... the Thunder fell to 6-7-1 lifetime against Ontario... the Reign line of Dwight King, Jon Francisco and Greg Hogeboom combined for six points (2g-4a)... Perugini made 24 saves and Pitton stopped 10 shots in relief.

The Thunder returns to play tomorrow for the rematch against the Reign to end two consecutive road games at Citizens Business Bank Arena, with the game beginning at 7:00 p.m. The game can be heard and viewed online at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season Tickets for 2009-10 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/.

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