Thunder drops matinee affair despite Boron's 22 saves

February 18, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - John Morlang's eventual game-winning goal with 14:14 left in regulation snapped a 2-2 tie and helped the Fresno Falcons send the Stockton Thunder (19-29-3, 41 points) to a 3-2 loss before an announced President's Day matinee crowd of 4,859 at Save Mart Center on Monday.

The loss dropped the Thunder to 2-4-0 in the season series, who is still seeking the first win in the team's 11-game history at Save Mart Center (0-10-1). Thunder goaltender Tim Boron made 22 saves to backstop the defensive efforts.

Both teams played to a scoreless draw in the first period, with the Thunder tightening the defensive screws on a Fresno squad by allowing just six shots in the first period. Boron set the tone with a glove save on five-time all-star Luke Curtin, who unleashed a wrist shot from the mid-slot with traffic in front of the Thunder goaltender. Counterpart Jake Moreland stopped all eight shots by the Thunder in the first period.

The Thunder drew first blood early in the second period with Andy Contois' 16th goal of the year with 3:38 elapsed. Contois gained a burst of speed along the right wing, blew past a Fresno defender and beat Moreland through the five-hole with a forehand deke. Tyler Kindle's power-play goal, his eighth of the year, leveled the score at 1-1 just 2:26 later when his wrist shot from the high-slot caromed off heavy traffic and eluded Boron's right pad.

Fresno threatened with another power-play within the next minute but a response was issued in the form of Brandon Schwartz's 11th goal of the season to help the Thunder reclaim a 2-1 lead at the 7:20 mark. Schwartz nailed the Thunder's ninth shorthanded goal of the year when he led an end-to-end rush and wired a snapshot from the left circle that beat Moreland under the crossbar.

Brady Leisenring's 17th goal of the season, the second power-play goal of the game for Fresno, tied the score at 2-2 at the period's 10:09 mark when he buried a rebound at the top of the crease, seconds after Boron made a point-blank save on Igor Gongalsky at the right goal line.

The Thunder established a monumental attack on Moreland in the third period with 14 saves, but were thwarted when the Fresno goaltender stopped Pat Bateman's rebound from tight-range and turned aside Mark Adamek's one-timer from the right circle with less than 10 minutes left.

Morlang buried the eventual game-winner with 5:46 gone in the third period that resulted from an end-zone face-off win for the Falcons. Morlang drew the puck to defenseman Matt O'Dette at the right point, who flung a wrist shot that Boron stopped through traffic. Morlang drove the net and followed up his first rebound attempt with a second backhander that found its way past Boron's blocker for a 3-2 Fresno advantage.

The Thunder pulled Boron for an extra skater with a minute remaining in regulation for a 6-on-5 skating situation but had a one-timer by rookie David Rohlfs stopped by Moreland as buzzer sounded.

Moreland finished with 28 saves for Fresno, who moved his head-to-head record to 1-2-0 against his former Thunder team.

NOTES: The Thunder missed the services of Ryan MacMurchy (injury), Beau Geisler (injured reserve), Adam Huxley (injured reserve) and Ryan Geris (injured reserve) ... the Thunder played in its first day game (starting earlier than 4:00 p.m.) of the regular season and its all-time record in day games moved to 4-3-0 with the loss ... the matchup between Boron and Moreland in net was a duel between former St. Cloud State University (NCAA) goaltenders.

The Thunder continues a three-game, intra-state road trip with a rematch at Fresno on Friday, starting at 7:30 p.m. from Save Mart Center. The game can be heard live on radio at 1420-AM KSTN and online (video and audio available) at http://www.stocktonthunder.com/, courtesy of B2 Networks.

The Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for two consecutive seasons and drew 244,085 fans to the Stockton Arena in 2006-07. Season tickets, group tickets and individual 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.



ECHL Stories from February 18, 2008


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