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Surma Scores First in Thunder Uniform, Thunder Drops Fifth Straight

December 28, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Brady Leavold's second goal of the year and eventual game-winner with 16:08 left in regulation spearheaded a three-goal rally by the Victoria Salmon Kings in the third period, sending the Stockton Thunder (10-17-4, 24 points) to its fifth straight loss in a 5-2 decision before 5,534 at Stockton Arena on Sunday.

James Bates, who broke a 16-game goal-scoring drought and Damian Surma each scored for the Thunder, who dropped their third straight to Victoria this season. Surma's goal was his first in a Thunder uniform. Victoria goaltender Todd Ford made 29 saves to earn the win in net. Wes Goldie scored twice to lead Victoria's offense.

Victoria scored on the first shot of the game just 27 seconds in, when Goldie captured his league-leading 26th goal of the year on a snap shot in the mid-slot.

The Thunder answered to tie the score at 1-1 with 7:23 gone in the opening period on a dribbling puck shot by Justin Chwedoruk, with rookie James Bates getting the re-direction past Victoria netminder Todd Ford for his third goal of the year.

Goldie answered for his second goal of the game, coming shorthanded with 9:20 left in the second period to lift the Salmon Kings to a 2-1 lead. Goldie muscled a backhand shot on net and the rebound was deflected in by the skate of Thunder defenseman Cleve Kinley, who charged the net at top speed.

Veteran Damian Surma leveled the score at 2-2 with 3:31 left in the second period for his first goal in a Thunder uniform, converting Mike Lalonde's feed from the right corner with a dangling move to the forehand and a wrist shot that beat Ford from below the circles.

Leavold's eventual game-winner came with 16:08 left in the third period when he pounced on a Thunder clearing attempt from the middle of the ice and roofed a snap shot under the crossbar for his second goal of the year.

Victoria stretched the lead to 4-2 when Jacob Dietrich buried a rebound from the slot at 13:12 of the final period for his sixth goal of the season. After Victoria killed off the Thunder's seventh power-play in the waning minutes of the game, Curtis Billsten's empty net goal sealed the game with 1:13 left in regulation for a 5-2 score.

Thunder goaltender Bryan Pitton made 23 saves in the losing cause.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Marc-Andre Bernier (injured reserve), Ryan MacMurchy (injured reserve), Jordan Bendfeld (injured reserve), Mike Salekin (injured reserve) and David Rohlfs (injury, day-to-day), giving the team 15 healthy skaters... the Thunder dropped to 10-14-3 lifetime against the Salmon Kings and are now 3-4-0 in the season series ... the Thunder outshot the Salmon Kings 31-28 ... Goldie's two goals gave him eight on the season against the Thunder



ECHL Stories from December 28, 2008


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