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Thunder drops series finale, Tordjman makes 36 saves

February 26, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Goaltender Josh Tordjman made 36 saves and was helped by a power-play that scored three times, helping the Bakersfield Condors send the Stockton Thunder (27-19-9, 63 points) to a 4-1 defeat before a crowd of 4,303 at Rabobank Arena on Saturday.

The Thunder, who finished 4-5-2 in the head-to-head series against Bakersfield this season, were anchored by Chris Lawrence's first period goal, before surrendering the last three in the game. The Condors cashed in with a 3-for-5 effort on the power play, leaving both teams separated by two points in the Pacific Division.

Pascal Morency broke the scoreless tie with his 17th goal of the season with 10:11 remaining in the first period, taking Vyacheslav Trukhno's feed from the corner and blasting a one-timer to the back of the net from above the hash marks.

Lawrence answered with his 18th goal of the season with 5:08 left in the period on a power-play, connecting on a cross-ice feed at the left circle with a one-timer and beat Josh Tordjman over the blocker.

Back-to-back power-play goals from Tyler Gotto and Joel Broda restored Bakersfield to 3-1 at the end of the two periods.

Gotto broke the 1-1 tie with 9:57 left in the second period on a delayed Thunder penalty. With Stockton letting the puck go untouched to drain as much 5-on-3 time as possible, Gotto took a Morency feed at the right circle and connected on a one-timer for his sixth goal of the season.

With bodies crashing the front of the net on the ensuing power-play, Joel Broda was awarded his 14th goal of the season just 26 seconds later on a third chance rebound, boosting the Bakersfield advantage to 3-1.

Adam Naglich buried the final goal of the day from the left post, his 11th of the season with 2:50 gone by in the third period when he converted on Guillaume Lefebvre's feed from the right corner.

Thunder goaltender Zane Kalemba took the loss with 21 stops.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Chase Ryan (healthy), Craig Valette (injured reserve) and Jesse Gimblett (injured reserve) ‚¬Â¦ the Noon start time was the earliest the Thunder faced since 2005-06, in a game on Super Bowl Sunday against the Condors at Stockton Arena ‚¬Â¦ the Thunder outshot Bakersfield, 37-35 and went 1-for-6 on the power play ‚¬Â¦ Lawrence's goal gave him 10 points in the last five games.

The Thunder returns to play tomorrow, visiting the Ontario Reign at Citizens Business Bank Arena at 5:00 p.m. The game can be heard on radio at 1280 KWSX 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 ‚¬Å“Best Local Sports Team ‚¬Â 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. BAK - 39 Josh Tordjman

2. BAK - 11 Vyacheslav Trukhno

3. BAK - 6 Tyler Gotto

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