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Thunder blanked for first time in team history

February 14, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


VICTORIA, British Columbia - Goaltender Julien Ellis earned his first career pro shutout on a 36-save effort, as the Stockton Thunder (21-15-9, 51 points) suffered a 4-0 loss to the Victoria Salmon Kings before 3,628 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on Wednesday.

Despite a period controlled by the Thunder's momentum and numerous scoring chances, Victoria drew first blood for a 1-0 lead on captain Kiel McLeod's 21st goal of the year with 1:01 left in the first period. Victoria capitalized on an up-ice rush as Derek Krestanovich's outlet pass beat the Thunder defense and found McLeod streaking down the right wing for a breakaway, who beat Thunder goaltender Cam Ellsworth with a wrist shot over the glove.

Stockton outshot Victoria 12-5 in the first period.

Victoria reciprocated the pressure in the second period with a 14-10 shots on goal advantage and expanded the lead to 3-0 through two periods, beginning with Mike Stutzel's 10th goal of the year at the 9:05 mark. Stutzel finished a wrap-around attempt to Ellsworth's glove side while the Thunder goaltender collided with traffic in front of the net, allowing Stutzel to bank a shot off Ellsworth and into the net for a 2-0 advantage.

Jordan Krestanovich scored a two-man advantage goal to push the Salmon Kings lead to three at the 16:21 mark, after Wes Goldie's shot from the left corner banked off Ellsworth and into the air. Krestanovich batted the puck out of mid-air and into a wide open net.

Ellis made a period-high 13 saves in the third frame to wrap up the game as Marc-Andre Bernier put on the finishing touches with a shorthanded breakaway goal with 24 seconds remaining, beating Ellsworth to the glove side.

Ellsworth made 23 saves in the loss, as the Thunder suffers its first shutout in team history, snapping a streak of 116 consecutive games while scoring a goal. McLeod led Victoria's offense with a goal and an assist.

The Thunder returns to play with a 7:05 p.m. road rematch against Victoria on Friday, February 16 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. The game can be heard live on the internet (free-of-charge) and is available for viewing for a $6 "pay-per-view" charge at www.stocktonthunder.com (courtesy of B2 Networks).

Thunder season tickets, mini-plans and individual tickets for the 2006-07 season 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 February 14, 2007


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