Thunder falls to Alaska rally in 5-2 loss after two-goal comeback

January 21, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska * The Stockton Thunder (6-21-5, 17 points) was on its way to solving the Alaska Aces (29-6-3, 61 points), then the first intermission arrived. Alex Leavitt's redirected goal only 20 seconds into the second period snapped a 2-2 tie for the game-winner, in which the Thunder was sent to a 5-2 loss to Alaska in front of 5,024 at Sullivan Arena on Friday.

Vladimir Novak spearheaded the Alaska offense with two goals, beginning at the 6:23 mark of the first period, sliding in an originally blocked shot past Thunder netminder Jake Moreland from the right circle. Cam Keith padded Alaska's lead to 2-0 at the 9:42 mark, sparking a furious Thunder comeback.

Aaron Foster's power play goal got the Thunder on the scoreboard with 1:04 left, snapping in a five-footer from in front after Mike Lalonde forced a turnover. Dave McCulloch's seeing-eye left-point shot then scooted past Alaska goalie Chris Beckford-Tseu for a 2-2 tie with 21 seconds left.

Alaska immediately responded in the second with Leavitt's go-ahead goal, deflecting Mike Scott's shot from 55 feet out through Moreland's legs for a 3-2 Aces cushion.

Following Nathan Martz's missed penalty shot just 3:01 into the third, Stockton kept within striking distance until Vladimir Novak's goal made it 4-2 at the 5:56 mark, sniping a 30-foot wrist shot from the slot over Moreland's left shoulder. Joe Talbot then put the game away at 5-2 with a power play goal 15:33 into the period with a one-timer on the doorstep.

Despite allowing five goals, Moreland's array of show-stopping saves headlined his 28 stops, while Beckford-Tseu collected the win with 22 saves for Alaska.

The Thunder finishes the series in Anchorage on Saturday with an 8:15 p.m. PT faceoff slated at Sullivan Arena against the Aces. The game can be heard live on the internet (free-of-charge) and is available for viewing at a $6 "pay-per-view" rate at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B-2 Networks.

Thunder season tickets, individual tickets, and mini packages are on-sale now. Individual tickets can be purchased in-person at Stockton Arena's Box Office, online at www.stocktontickets.com, or by phone at (209) 373-1700. 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 January 21, 2006


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