Thunder clinches first playoff berth in team history with three-goal third period

March 18, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder (30-22-10, 70 pts) clinched its first Kelly Cup Playoff berth in team history as left-winger Tim Sestito scored the game-winning goal at the 17:55 mark of the third period, and all-star goaltender Devan Dubnyk made 30 saves to lead the Thunder to a 4-2 win over the Idaho Steelheads before 6,922 fans at Stockton Arena on Sunday.

Needing help from the Las Vegas Wranglers and Victoria Salmon Kings, the Thunder parlayed its victory with Las Vegas' defeat of Long Beach and Victoria's win over Utah.

Thunder center Nathan Martz opened the scoring at the 6:15 mark of the first period, the beneficiary of a loose puck in front of Steelheads goaltender John Daigneau, courtesy of a strong wrap-around effort by left-winger Liam Reddox. Despite being pressured by an Idaho defender, Reddox managed to slide the puck towards the Steelheads goal crease to a streaking Martz who proceeded to the jam the puck past Daigneau to give Stockton a 1-0 lead. The goal was Martz's 7th on the season.

Idaho forward Matt Nickerson scored the equalizer less than three minutes later, the recipient of a tape-to-tape feed from forward Alexander Naurov over the middle. Nickerson entered the Thunder zone down the right side, beating Dubnyk with a wrist-shot five-hole to level the score at 1-1. Nickerson's tally was his 1st on the year.

A scoreless second period saw the Thunder create multiple quality scoring chances in an attempt to take the lead. During the course an early period power-play, defenseman Beau Geisler saw his slap shot from the right point hit the crossbar to the right of Daigneau. Dubnyk maintained the 1-1 score line on a Steelheads mid-period man advantage with a glove save on a shot attempt by right-winger Marty Flichel from just above the left face-off circle.

Daigneau would preserve the tie for Idaho during another Stockton power-play with a glove-save point-blank on Thunder center Colin Pepperall's one-timer attempt off a perfect feed from Martz from behind the Steelheads goal. Inside the final minute of the frame, Martz would come close to giving Stockton the lead. The recipient of a perfect cross-crease feed from right-winger Stephane Goulet from the left circle, Martz's shot attempt went high over the Idaho goal.

The Thunder's relentless offensive zone pressure throughout the third period afforded Stockton the opportunity to pull ahead, and earn the all-important victory. Right-winger Tim Verbeek lifted Stockton to a 2-1 lead at the 10:07 mark of the third period, as the Thunder capitalized on an odd bounce off a dump-in attempt behind Daigneau.

Thunder center Jim Dahl crashed the boards, gained possession of the puck behind the Idaho goal, and fed Adam Huxley in front of the Steelheads netminder. Huxley's initial shot attempt caromed off a Steelheads defender towards Verbeek, who slid the puck past Daigneau for his 16th goal of the season.

Sestito made it 3-1 at the 17:55 mark of the frame corralling a loose puck atop the left face-off circle, avoiding a diving shot block attempt by defenseman Travis Wight, and sliding a backhand shot by Daigneau for his 13th goal on the year. Steelheads left-winger Tuomas Mikkonen brought Idaho to within one goal at 19:48 with his 16th goal of the season, beating Dubnyk stick-side off a loose puck in front of the Thunder goal.

Left-winger Brock Radunske would then cap the scoring, and secure the Thunder victory with his 6th goal of the season, an empty-net tally at 19:54 to make the score 4-2.

The Thunder heads to Utah for a three-game series with the Grizzlies on Thursday, March 22, beginning at 6:05 p.m. at the E Center. The game can be heard live on the internet (free-of-charge) and is available for viewing at a $6 "pay-per-view" charge at www.stocktonthunder.com (courtesy of B2 Networks).

Recently named host of the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game, the Thunder drew 228,364 fans to Stockton Arena in its inaugural season, the ECHL's best attendance mark for 2005-06. Kelly Cup Playoff tickets for the upcoming postseason and Thunder season 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.

###

Three Stars:

1. STK - Devan Dubnyk

2. STK - Tim Verbeek

3. IDH - John Daigneau



ECHL Stories from March 18, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central