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Thunder falls into 3-1 series hole on Cracknell's overtime winner

April 19, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Adam Cracknell's game-winning goal with 20 seconds left in the first sudden-death overtime period completed a four-goal rally by the Las Vegas Wranglers, who sent the Stockton Thunder to a 4-3 overtime loss in game four of the National Conference Quarterfinals and a 3-1 series deficit (best-of-seven), before a crowd of 5,569 at Stockton Arena on Friday.

Las Vegas rallied when trailing after two periods for the second straight game and the Thunder was led by Jacob Micflikier's goal and an assist to pace the offense. Thunder goaltender Tim Boron, making his fourth straight start in the series, set a Thunder playoff record with 47 saves (previous - 46, Devan Dubnyk, 4/13/07 vs. Idaho)

#8 STOCKTON VS. #1 LAS VEGAS - NATIONAL CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS

Game 1: Stockton 4 at Las Vegas 2

Game 2: Stockton 4 at Las Vegas 5 (OT)

Game 3: Las Vegas 3 at Stockton 2

Game 4: Las Vegas 4 at Stockton 3 (OT)

Game 5: at Stockton - Sunday, April 20 - 4:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 6: at Las Vegas - Tuesday, April 22 - 7:05 p.m. (Orleans Arena) *

Game 7: at Las Vegas - Wednesday, April 23 - 7:05 p.m. (Orleans Arena) *

* If necessary

The Thunder got off to a hot and fast start scoring at the 3:18 time mark of the first period on a rebound goal by Jacob Mcfliker, with assists coming from Brad Farynuk and Ryan O'Marra. Micflikier buried the shot at the base of the right circle after Las Vegas goaltender Kevin Lalande stopped Farynuk's bid from the left point.

The Thunder struck again in the first period on a goal by alternate captian Tim O'Connell's third of the playoffs, coming at the 13:53 time mark, with the assists coming from Brandon Schwartz and Micfliker. Schwartz set-up O'Connell with a pass to the left point, followed by O'Connell's wrist shot that zipped through a screen and beat Lalande to the blocker side for a 2-0 cushion.

Stockton kept the pace going at 1:51 mark of the second period, on the first professional playoff goal by Geoff Paukovich, and assists coming from Lance Monych and Tim Verbeek. The Thunder worked the puck in deep following a 3-on-2 rush and Monych fired a shot from the left circle that Lalande deflected into the crease. Paukovich followed Verbeek's rebound chance and buried the puck into an open net for a 3-0 lead.

The Wranglers cut into the potential shutout by Boron and started their comeback in the second on Aki Seitsonen's third goal of the series with 7:52 left.

Ryan Donnally netted his second goal of the playoffs on the power-play just 3:18 later, cutting the Thunder lead to 3-2 when he converted Tyler Mosienko's centering pass at the right side of the crease.

Las Vegas leveled the game at 3-3 on Kelly Czuy's second goal of the playoffs with 1:32 elapsed into the third period, banking a shot at the left goal line off the body of Boron.

Stephane Goulet apparently answered with nearly six minutes remaining in regulation to restore the Thunder lead to 4-3, deflecting in a rebound at the top of the crease but had the goal waved-off due to a distinct kicking motion that caused the puck to sail past Lalande's blocker.

The Thunder dodged two power-plays to make into overtime and put in a bid to knot the series with a man-advantage chance in the early stages of overtime. Lalande kept Las Vegas alive by stopping Sebastien Bisaillon's one-timer at the high-slot with a right pad save.

Then, with 20 seconds left, Jason Krischuk launched a one-timer from the high slot that threaded its way through traffic and caromed off Cracknell's stick. The re-direction eluded Boron's blocker side to give Las Vegas the win.

NOTES: Scratches for the game were defenseman Joe Dustin (injured reserve), left wing Tom Zanoski (injured reserve), Luke Lynes (injured reserve) and Fredrik Johansson (healthy) ... Boron's 47-save effort gave him 171 combined saves in the first four playoff games.

The series resumes on Sunday, with the Thunder in a must-win situation facing Las Vegas at 4:00 p.m. for game 5 at Stockton Arena. The game can be heard live on radio at 1420-AM KSTN (potentially joined in progress) and is available on the internet (video and audio) at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks.

The Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for three consecutive seasons and drew 239,337 fans to Stockton Arena in 2007-08. Season tickets for 2008-09 and 2008 Kelly Cup Playoff ticket packages are now on sale and individual ticket information for the 2008 Kelly Cup Playoffs will be announced soon. 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 April 19, 2008


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