Three separate Thunder notch two goals apiece in 7-1 romp of Phoenix

March 9, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Stockton Thunder (11-34-11, 33 points) received an offensive explosion with two goals apiece from forwards Joel Irwin, Nathan Martz and Kevin Gardner in a 7-1 blowout victory over the Phoenix RoadRunners (19-35-3, 41 points), before 3,002 at U.S. Airways Center on Wednesday.

The win establishes new Thunder franchise and season highs for goals, shots on goal (52), and largest margin of victory, while posting the third win in four games for Stockton.

Attempting to bounce back from a flat performance in Tuesday night's loss, the Thunder rocketed out of the gates with three first period goals, beginning with a Nathan Martz shorthanded goal at 10:11, shoving in a loose rebound that was originally stopped by Phoenix goaltender Ryan Cyr from Mike Lalonde's blast.

Kevin Gardner then converted a broken play in front with a rebound goal to make it 2-0 at the 13:05 mark, Gardner's second consecutive power play goal in as many games. Joel Irwin then hiked the lead to 3-0 with a mini-breakaway goal 47 seconds left in the frame, beating Cyr through his five-hole.

Phoenix climbed back into the game in the second period, cutting the lead to 3-1 on a shorthanded breakaway marker from Jake Riddle at 2:55. Lalonde widened the lead to 4-1 for the Thunder at 11:42, converting a 20-foot slapshot from the right circle. Kevin Gardner then expanded Stockton's lead to 5-1 on a breakaway goal for his second marker of the night at 15:22 after corralling a nifty Ned Havern outlet pass.

The Thunder put a stamp on the game with a two third period markers, beginning with Martz's second goal of the game at the 1:41 mark, netting a loose puck from 15 feet in the slot. Irwin capped the scoring with a nifty odd-man rush goal at 10:02, banging home a 10-foot shot from the base of the right circle.

Thunder goaltender Jake Moreland stopped 30 shots, improving to 3-1-0 vs. Phoenix.

The Thunder moves onto face the Long Beach Ice Dogs on Friday with a 7:30 p.m. PT face-off at Long Beach Arena, continuing Stockton's eight-game road trip. The game can be heard live on the internet (free-of-charge) at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B-2 Networks.

Thunder season tickets, individual tickets, and mini packages are on-sale now. Individual tickets can be purchased in person at Stockton Arena's Ticket Office, online at www.stocktontickets.com, or by phone at (209) 373-1700. 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 March 9, 2006


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