Thunder force overtime in front of 7,399 fans; Grover nets game-winner

Published on March 22, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Donny Grover's goal just 24 seconds into sudden-death overtime thwarted a rally by the Stockton Thunder (30-30-6, 66 points), who lost 4-3 in OT to the Bakersfield Condors before 7,399 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday night.

The Thunder forced overtime with a two-goal rally by Sebastien Bisaillon and Ryan Huddy in the third period to stay at the .500 mark, while James Bates also scored in the second period. Both teams combined for five power-play goals in the game and Bakersfield capitalized at a 3-for-7 clip on goals by Mark Derlago, Bruce Graham and Ryan Mahrle.

Goaltender Yutaka Fukufuji helped secure the win for the Condors with 31 saves, while counterpart Bryan Pitton helped the Thunder gain a point with 25 stops.

Bakersfield struck quickly with two power-play goals in the first five minutes of the game, beginning with Derlago's 29th goal of the year on a one-timer from the right circle at the 2:40 mark. Graham then converted a tap-in at the goal crease on a centering pass by Andrew Ianiero at 4:21 for his 22nd goal of the year to put the Thunder into a 2-0 hole.

Bates cut the Thunder deficit to 2-1 with his 15th goal of the season on the power-play with 8:16 left in the second period, when he buried a rebound from the left goal post after Yutaka Fukufuji denied Sebastien Bisaillon's one-timer from the high-slot.

Marhle restored Bakersfield's two-goal cushion with 3:37 left in the second period, fishing Brett Pilkington's pass from the right corner with a one-timer from the doorstep.

With the Thunder forced into hot-pursuit mode in the third period, they finally drew to within a goal after Chris Kaufman was whistled for holding. Bisaillon cut the deficit to 3-2 with his fourth goal of the season on a power-play, taking Igor Gongalsky's pass in the slot and ripping a snap shot past Fukufuji's blocker.

Pitton was pulled for an extra attacker and the Thunder knotted the score after gaining entry into the Condors zone at a 6-on-5 skating situation. After Fukufuji denied Gongalsky's initial attempt from the right hash mark, Huddy took the rebound in traffic and flipped a backhander under the crossbar with 46.5 seconds remaining to send Stockton Arena into delirium.

The rally for two points was short-lived as Bakersfield capitalized on the first shot of overtime. Grover took Bonk's pass off the rush and after an initial shot was blocked, the Condors defenseman buried the rebound over Pitton's glove with 24 seconds elapsed for the winner.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Marc-Andre Bernier (injured reserve) and Jordan Bendfeld (injured reserve) ... right winger Ryan MacMurchy left the game due to injury in the third period when he collided with Bakersfield's Jay Langager and did not return ... the Thunder fell to 11-14-7 lifetime against the Condors ... Stockton outshot Bakersfield 34-28 ... Gongalsky posted his third multi-point game since joining the Thunder with a team-leading three assists.

The Thunder returns to play next Tuesday at home against the Victoria Salmon Kings, starting at 7:00 p.m. at Stockton Arena. The game is available on radio at 1420 KSTN and online 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 tickets for 2009-10 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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