O'Marra scores a pair as late Thunder rally falls short

December 15, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Forward Andrew Ianiero's goal at the 12:07 mark of the third period proved to be the game-winner as the Stockton Thunder (10-13-2, 22 pts.) dropped a 5-3 decision to the Bakersfield Condors in front of 6,175 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday night.

Thunder center Ryan O'Marra opened the scoring at the 9:22 mark of the first period on the power-play, re-directing an L.P. Lachance pass attempt from atop the left face-off circle by Condors goaltender Yutaka Fukufuji to lift Stockton to a 1-0 lead. O'Marra, skating towards the slot, beat Fukufuji five-hole to record his tenth goal on the season.

Bakersfield defenseman Steven Later tied the score 1-1 at 11:41, capping an end-to-end rush thru center with a wrist-shot from just inside the Thunder blue-line that beat goaltender Tim Boron top-shelf and glove-side. Later's goal, scored four-on-four, was his third on the year.

Condors center Tim Consorada lifted the Condors to a 2-1 lead at 13:09, corralling a rebound to the right of Boron off a Jay Langager point shot, and sliding the puck past the sprawling Thunder netminder to record his thirteenth tally of the season.

Boron would stymie Condors center Mike Hofstrand in-tight during a late-period Bakersfield man-advantage with a highlight-reel glove-stop to keep the Thunder within striking distance.

O'Marra notched his second goal on the night, a short-handed marker, 90 seconds into the second period to tie the score 2-2. The Thunder rookie skated into Condor territory one-on-two, and saw his wrist-shot attempt re-direct off Langager's stick and by Fukufuji for his 11th goal thus far this season.

Bakersfield defenseman Joe Dustin restored the Condors advantage at 8:13 with a blast from the high-slot off the face-off that beat Boron for a 3-2 lead. Dustin's goal was his 5th of the season.

Ianiero put Bakersfield up by two goals at the 12:07 mark of the third period, scoring the eventual game-winning goal to give the Condors a 4-2 lead. Ianiero's goal was his 6th of the season. Stockton rallied on a late period power-play as Lachance scored his first career professional goal, beating Fukufuji with a shot from the high slot that bounced past the Bakersfield goaltender to make the score 4-3 at the 15:43 mark of the frame.

Condors left-winger Evan Kotsopoulos capped the scoring with an empty-net goal at 19:37 to give Bakersfield the 5-3 victory. Kostsopoulos' goal was his first of the season.

The Thunder outshot the Condors 30-25, converting 2-of-7 power-play opportunities. Meanwhile, Thunder left-winger Jacob Micflikier collected three assists on the night.

NOTES: Before the game, the Thunder placed defenseman Tim O'Connell on the three-day injured reserve list and transferred right wing Ryan MacMurchy to the seven-day injured reserve list ... O'Marra has now scored five points (2g-3a) in his last two games and has a point in six of his last seven games ... Micflikier collected his ninth multi-point game and has nine points (2g-7a) in the last three games.

The Thunder returns to play on Friday, December 21 with a 7:30 p.m. home game against the Bakersfield Condors at Stockton Arena. The game can be heard live on radio at 1420-AM KSTN and on the internet (video and audio available) at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks.

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.



ECHL Stories from December 15, 2007


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