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Thunder draw eighth crowd over 7,000 to open four-game homestand

February 19, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - David Shantz made 21 saves, including 18 in the last 40 minutes to help the Victoria Salmon Kings defeat the Stockton Thunder (25-16-9, 59 points), 3-1, before 7,887 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday evening.

The Thunder, who were limited to a season-low 22 shots, struck for the game's first goal on a Jarrett Konkle bid in the first period, dropped the first game of a four-game homestand and yielded goals to Salmon King forwards Rick Cleaver, Ryan MacMurchy (empty-netter) and a breakaway goal by Rob Hennigar, which stood as the game-winner.

‚¬Å“One goal at home is not enough, ‚¬Â said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. ‚¬Å“We have to match the urgency of the situation we're in. We had an opportunity to close on first place and all we did was make it harder tonight. We can't play as sporadic as we did tonight. We started to execute in the second period, but it wasn't consistent enough. ‚¬Â

Konkle buried a one-timer at the right circle, set-up by P.A. Bureau from the right corner, to lift the Thunder to a 1-0 edge with ten minutes remaining in the first period.

Zane Kalemba made a dazzling array of stops, part of 11 in the period, including a sharp backhander by Matt Siddall in the slot.

Victoria tied the game on a Rick Cleaver power play goal with 6:28 elapsed in the second period, converting Kiel McLeod's feed from the left circle with a one-timer from the mid slot.

Ed Snetsinger, from behind the goal line, then sprung Rob Hennigar on a breakaway, who slipped a backhander through Kalemba's five hole with 3:47 remaining in the period to give the Salmon Kings a 2-1 lead.

The Thunder pressured for the equalizer in the third period and nearly found it on three occasions. Chris Lawrence missed a wrist shot wide from the right circle after turning a defenseman around on a deke early in the third period, and misfired on a one-timer at the left circle with less than ten minutes left.

Konkle nearly missed his second goal of the game on a rebound beneath the right circle with less than five minutes left in the third period.

Victoria sealed the game on MacMurchy's empty net goal with 1:08 left in the game, securing his 16th goal of the season on a clearing attempt from the defensive zone.

Kalemba took his first ECHL loss, dropping to 3-1-2 with 25 saves.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Ryan Constant (injured reserve), Jordan Foreman (injured reserve) and Jesse Gimblett (healthy) ‚¬Â¦ the Thunder were outshot, 28-22 and fell to 5-3-0 in the head-to-head series ‚¬Â¦ Konkle's marker gave him goals in five of the last six games ‚¬Â¦ the Thunder staged a special ‚¬Å“Faith Night ‚¬Â promotion where several local area churches attended the game and enjoyed a concert by rock band, ‚¬Å“Radio Friendly ‚¬Â after the game ‚¬Â¦ the crowd was the eighth over 7,000 fans in attendance at Stockton Arena this season.

The Thunder returns to play tomorrow at home, hosting the Victoria Salmon Kings at Stockton Arena beginning at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard on and viewed live on the internet (pay-per-view video charge) at www.StocktonThunder.com, courtesy of AmericaOne.

A two-time recipient of the ECHL ‚¬Å“Award of Excellence, ‚¬Â Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew over 200,000 fans for the fifth consecutive season in 2009-10. Season Tickets, mini-plans and individual tickets for 2010-11 are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit http://www.stocktonthunder.com/.

THREE STARS:

1. VIC - 1 David Shantz

2. VIC - 17 Rob Hennigar

3. STK - 71 Jarrett Konkle

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