Thunder drop third straight road loss on O'Leary's pair of goals

Published on March 3, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


PHOENIX - Rookie Mark O'Leary totaled a career-high two goals and an assist while Kyle Jones made 35 saves to help the Phoenix RoadRunners send the Stockton Thunder (27-27-5, 59 points) to their third consecutive road defeat, 5-3 before 2,010 fans at U.S. Airways Center at Tuesday night.

O'Leary helped Phoenix defeat the Thunder for the first time this season at U.S. Airways Center, which was only the second defeat for the Thunder in the last 10 games in Arizona. James McEwan, John McNabb and Matt Burke also scored for Phoenix. The Thunder received a pair of goals by Ryan MacMurchy and a power-play goal by Mike Lalonde.

MacMurchy opened the scoring at 2:39 of the opening period with his 7th goal of the season when Phoenix goaltender Kyle Jones misplayed a dump-in by Sebastien Bisaillon. The puck caromed off the glass behind the net with Jones of out his net and MacMurchy buried a shot from the right circle.

James McEwan countered for Phoenix with the first goal of his professional career just 2:28 later when he took advantage of a scrambling defense and re-directed Mark O'Leary's pass from the left corner past Perugini with a one-timer from the right goal post.

O'Leary put Phoenix ahead at 2-1 with 10:44 left in the first period on a freak bounce when his slapshot from the blueline caromed off the boards and re-directed into the net off the back of Perugini.

Veteran John McNabb netted his 10th goal of the season on a turnover at the blueline, taking Mitch Carefoot's pass and sneaking in a wrist shot from in-tight through Perugini's five-hole at 3:53 of the second period for a 3-1 Phoenix lead.

The Thunder cut into the lead at 3-2 on Mike Lalonde's 18th goal of the year on a 5-on-3 situation, roofing a backhander from the slot with 12:45 left. Yet, the RoadRunners stole all the momentum on a shorthanded goal, O'Leary's second of the game, when he stole a misplayed dump-in by Perugini and snuck in a wrap-around attempt.

Matt Burke hiked Phoenix's lead to 5-2 with 3:47 left in the second when he corralled a rebound at the left circle and drilled a slapshot under the crossbar.

Following a Phoenix power-play, MacMurchy jumped out of the box and stole a lead pass by the RoadRunners, followed by his snap shot from the left circle that beat Jones over the glove for his second goal of the game at 14:32 of the second period.

The Thunder threatened in the final five minutes with two close-range chances by Urquhart and a 6-on-5 skating situation with Pitton pulled for an extra attacker, but could get no closer as the RoadRunners burned the clock.

Perugini suffered just the third loss in his last 15 appearances with 14 saves. Pitton, who relieved Perugini with 18:30 left in the final period, made six saves in the mop-up role.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Marc-Andre Bernier (injured reserve), Jordan Bendfeld (injured reserve), Igor Gongalsky (suspension) and Cleve Kinley (final game of a 5-game suspension) ... the Thunder converted at a 1-for-7 rate on the power-play and scored on a 5-on-3 situation for the second straight game ... the Thunder outshot Phoenix 38-25 and fell 17-7-1 in the lifetime series.

The Thunder returns to play tomorrow on the road against the Phoenix RoadRunners, starting at 6:05 p.m. at U.S. Airways Center. The game is available on radio at 1420 KSTN and for viewing online (audio is free-of-charge) for a $7 charge at http://www.stocktonthunder.com/ (courtesy of B2 Networks).

The proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, the Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for three consecutive seasons and drew 239,337 fans to Stockton Arena in 2007-08. Season, group, individual tickets and mini plan packages 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/.

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