Thunder Breaks Five-game Winless Skid On Third-period Comeback

November 24, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Rookie Jacob Micflikier scored an eventual game-winning goal at 7:47 of the third, and goaltender Cam Ellsworth stopped 20 shots to lead the Stockton Thunder (7-8-1, 15 pts) to a 4-3 decision over the Alaska Aces before a crowd of 7,011 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday night.

The Thunder snaps a five-game winless streak (0-4-1) with the come-from-behind victory and is the first team since March 2004 to send Alaska to a regulation loss after holding a second period lead.

Both clubs capitalized on power-play opportunities in the first period of play as Thunder center Jonas Almtorp scored the game's opening goal at the 13:10 mark of the opening frame re-directing a Brandon Schwartz point shot by Aces goaltender Derek Gustafson to put the Thunder up 1-0. Almtorp's third goal of the season came less than 40 seconds after Gustafson stopped Thunder right winger Jesse Bennefield on a break-away from just outside the Aces blueline.

Alaska responded with the equalizer at 15:40 as left winger Barrett Heisten converted a tape-to-tape feed from left winger Matt Robinson from the right corner that beat Ellsworth five-hole to level the score 1-1. Heisten's power-play tally was his fourth thus far this season.

The Aces struck again on the man-advantage at 18:59 as Bo Cheesman scored his eighth goal on the year, jamming a loose puck past Ellsworth's left pad for a 2-1 Alaska lead after period one.

Thunder left winger Pat Bateman tied the score 2-2 at the 7:56 mark of the second period converting a centering pass from left winger Adam Huxley on the tail-end of a strong rush down the right-side into Aces territory. Bateman drove directly towards the Aces goal, out muscled two Alaska defenders, and proceeded to beat Gustafson five-hole for his second goal of the season.

Alaska restored its one goal lead at 9:25 as forward Josh Soares corralled his own rebound off a re-direct attempt to the left of Ellsworth, and beat the Thunder netminder with a chip shot high to the stick-side for a 3-2 Aces advantage. Soares' goal was his team-leading 10th tally of the season.

The Thunder power-play continued to roll in the third period as defenseman Brian Lee tied the score 3-3 at the 5:50 mark of the third period blasting a slap-shot from the point by Gustafson stick-side for his second goal on the season.

On the ensuing Stockton two-man advantage, Micflikier was on the receiving end of a perfect feed from left winger Andy Contois near the Alaska goal line. Micflikier proceeded to outwait Gustafson and beat the Alaska goaltender with a wrist-shot over his left shoulder for a 4-3 Thunder lead. Micflikier's game-winning goal was his 6th tally of the year.

NOTES: The Thunder outshot the Aces 33-23 ... Stockton went 3-for-6 on the power-play ... Thunder left winger Andy Contois and defenseman Beau Geisler each recorded two assists ... entering tonight's contest, Alaska was 5-0-0 when leading after the second period ... Alaska has outscored its opponents 24-11 in third period play thus far this season.

Stockton returns to play Saturday, November 24th as the Thunder hosts the Utah Grizzlies at Stockton Arena at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard live on radio at 1420 KSTN (joined-in-progress) 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 November 24, 2007


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