Schwartz's third period goal ignites shower of teddy bears in second sellout of year

January 20, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Adam Cracknell and Kelly Czuy scored a pair of goals each and goaltender Kevin Lalande made 33 saves to help the Las Vegas Wranglers send the Stockton Thunder (17-18-2, 36 points) to a 4-1 loss before a sellout crowd of 9,737 at Stockton Arena on Saturday night.

Cracknell put the Wranglers up 1-0 with 5:31 left in the first period, when he jammed a rebound past Thunder goaltender Glenn Fisher after the rookie stopped Bruce Mulherin on a bid from the base of the left circle. Lalande made 11 stops in the first period to keep the Thunder at-bay.

Czuy expanded the Las Vegas cushion to 2-0 with his fourth goal of the season with 2:20 gone in the second period, setting a screen in front and deflecting Marco Peluso's shot from a sharp angle from the left corner through Fisher's five-hole.

Fisher kept the game at a two-goal deficit with a dazzling glove save shortly after the Wranglers second goal, denying a one-timer by Czuy on the doorstep.

Lalande kept the Thunder shut-out with 10 stops in the second frame while Fisher stopped eight Las Vegas shots to keep the Thunder within comeback range.

Schwartz ignited the attempted comeback with his seventh goal of the season just 2:05 into the third period, taking David Rohlfs' pass from behind the net and burying a wrist shot in the deep slot past Lalande's blocker side, cutting the Wrangler lead to 2-1 and igniting a shower of teddy bears onto the ice in the Thunder's third annual "Teddy Bear Toss Night." The stuffed animals are scheduled to be donated to the United Way of San Joaquin County.

Cracknell's second goal of the game pushed the Wrangler lead to 3-1 with 6:23 left in the third, walking out from the right corner and stuffing a backhander into an open net after Fisher attempted a diving poke-check.

Czuy scored the Wranglers' fifth shorthanded goal of the season just 1:20 later when a pass by Jason Krischuk from the right wing kicked off Czuy's skate and into the net past Fisher's blocker, completing a 2-on-2 rush.

Lalande finished the period with 12 saves, while Fisher finished his night with 28 stops in his eighth consecutive appearance in net.

NOTES: The Thunder missed the services of Beau Geisler (injured reserve), Spencer Carbery (injured reserve) while defenseman Mark Adamek was a healthy scratch (family emergency) ... the Thunder fell to 1-5-0 in the season series against Las Vegas and is 1-2-0 at Stockton Arena for the season.

The Thunder wraps up the pre-all star schedule tomorrow against Las Vegas, starting at 4:00 p.m. from Stockton Arena. The game can be heard live on radio at 1420-AM KSTN and online (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 January 20, 2008


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