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Thunder comes back from three-goal deficit in 5-4 shootout win

March 11, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


LONG BEACH, Calif. - Three-goal deficits might be a magic number for the Stockton Thunder (12-34-11, 35 points), as Stockton fought back from its second three-goal hole in as many games in Long Beach, in a dramatic 5-4 shootout win over the Long Beach Ice Dogs (30-19-8, 68 points) before 2,747 at Long Beach Arena on Friday.

The win, notched after Mike Lalonde's shootout goal in the first frame, pushes a Thunder streak to four wins in its last five games, while giving goaltender Jeff Weber his first win since November 20.

Long Beach struck first for a 1-0 lead with 1:15 left in the first period, when Marco Rosa converted a rebound after Steeve Villenueve's point shot was blocked.

Long Beach continued their high note by expanding their lead to 2-0 at the second period's 3:48 mark, when Sean McAslan one-timed a Christian Larrivee feed from the left side of the crease for a power play goal. The Thunder fell behind 3-0 when Ash Goldie's 50-foot shot handcuffed Weber and beat the Thunder netminder over the left shoulder with 7:35 gone.

Stockton began its comeback to turn the second period into a wild affair, when Ned Havern converted Joel Irwin's centering feed for a 3-1 deficit at the 10:25 mark. The Thunder cut the deficit to one on a power play goal, after Geno Parrish's rip from the high slot scooted past Ice Dogs goaltender Greg Hewitt at the 14:36 mark.

Joel Irwin then banged home a rebound at the 17:52 mark, following up from a Mike Lalonde stopped shot to tie the game. Long Beach responded at the third period's 10:02 mark on Goldie's second goal of the night, where the Thunder retaliated with Maris Ziedins' goal from the left circle with 4:05 to go.

Following a scoreless overtime, Lalonde, Havern and Irwin pumped in three shootout goals, with Weber clinching the victory by denying Michael Lambert's backhanded bid with a diving save to his left.

The Thunder moves on to face the Bakersfield Condors with a 7 p.m. PT face-off at Rabobank Arena on Saturday, continuing Stockton's eight-game road trip. 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.

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.

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