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Thunder comeback falls short

March 14, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


BOISE, Idaho - Despite another dramatic comeback, four first-period goals on the wrong end were barely enough for the Stockton Thunder (13-35-11, 39 points) three-game winning streak to snap at the hands of the Idaho Steelheads (34-20-7, 75 points), in a 6-4 Thunder loss before 4,087 at Qwest Arena on Tuesday.

Idaho began their first period flurry with D'Arcy McConvey's marker from in-close at 5:47. David Bararuk then hiked the lead to 2-0 at the 14:33 mark, converting on a 20-foot wrist shot over Thunder goaltender Jake Moreland's left shoulder.

Dan Hacker put Idaho ahead 3-0 only 2:51 later, stuffing a rebound in the crease past Moreland's right pad after his original deflected shot was stopped. McConvey finished the first period damage with 36 seconds left, finishing a shorthanded odd-man rush with a 15-foot wrist shot in the slot.

Nathan Martz sparked a possible Thunder comeback with a power play goal at the second period's 3:25 mark, stuffing in a rebound on the doorstep after a stopped Joel Irwin left-circle shot. Idaho responded to make it 5-1 with 53 seconds left, as Matt Reid broke in on new Thunder goalie Jeff Weber from the right wing and beat Weber low with the goalie's pads stacked.

Stockton then turned the third period into a furious comeback attempt. Mike Lalonde converted a Martz centering feed from behind the net to cut the deficit to three goals at 10:29. Lalonde followed with his second goal of the game with 3:45 remaining, cutting backdoor from the left wing and tipping in another Martz centering feed from across the ice.

Kevin Gardner then helped tighten the collar of Idaho by converting on a rebound from a John Longo miss with 1:46 remaining. Weber was pulled for an extra skater, allowing Idaho's Marty Flichel to score on the empty net with 44 seconds left, sealing the game.

The Thunder offense continues to roll, as Irwin has now picked up 10 points in his last four games, while Martz has collected 12 points in his last seven contests.

Before the game, the Thunder activated forward John Longo off the seven-day injured reserve list, while placing left wing Aaron Foster on the seven-day injured reserve list with a hand injury.

The Thunder continues its eight-game road trip on Wednesday with a 6:10 p.m. PT game at Qwest Arena against the Idaho Steelheads. The game can be heard live on the internet (free-of-charge) at is available for viewing at a $6 "pay-per-view" rate at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B-2 Networks.



ECHL Stories from March 14, 2006


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