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Thunder gain revenge by holding off RoadRunners

November 8, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


PHOENIX, Ariz. - Jacob Micflikier scored his first professional goal with 12:10 left in the third period, adding an assist to avert a third period comeback by the Phoenix RoadRunners in a 6-4 win over Phoenix before a crowd of 2,982 at U.S. Airways Center on Thursday.

The Thunder is 6-1-0 in its last seven games and is first place in the National Conference with 12 points.

Attempting to rebound from last night's 6-5 loss, the Thunder took advantage of a spirited scrap between Adam Huxley and Phoenix defenseman Chris Murray and got on the board first with a power-play goal from Sebastien Bisaillon, putting the Thunder up 1-0 with 2:39 remaining in the first period. Andy Contois skated up the right wing boards and found enough space to feed Bisaillon at the top of the slot, who blasted a one-timer through traffic and under the crossbar.

With a defense in front limiting Phoenix scoring chances, Thunder goaltender Glenn Fisher made six stops in the first period.

Jeff Kryzakos responded with his fourth goal in two nights and fifth of the season to knot the game at 1-1 at the second period's 4:13 mark, corralling a loose puck in the left corner and finished with a wrist shot through traffic that beat Fisher to the blocker side.

Just 1:54 later, Brian Lee buried his first goal of the year to get the Thunder their lead back at 2-1. Lee took a loose puck at the left circle and threw it at the net, trickling through the five hole of RoadRunners netminder Nathan Lawson. At the 8:33 mark, Andy Contois scored his third goal of the season on a last-second breakaway, flipping the puck over an outstretched Lawson deep in the slot.

Peder Skinner brought Phoenix back to within a goal with 11:46 gone in the period on a shot from the left circle that beat Fisher under the crossbar, converting on a Scott Kelman centering pass from the right corner. Bisaillon potted his second goal of the game just 2:01 later, gliding into the Phoenix zone untouched at the left wing and rifling a slapshot over Lawson's blocker side.

Phoenix, who had a combined seven goals in the third period which spanned the past two games, rallied again early in the final frame with two goals in a span of 2:41 on tallies from Reagan Rome and Thatcher Bell. Just 37 seconds later, Micflikier scored his first pro goal for the eventual game-winner, converting a nifty Ryan MacMurchy centering pass from the right wing and stuffing a backhander past Lawson's glove.

Left winger Paul Caponigri put the game out of reach at the 14:48 mark on his first goal of the season, jamming in a loose puck at the top of the crease.

Along with Micflikier and Bisaillon's multi-point efforts, MacMurchy's two assists and Caponigri's goal and assist paced the Thunder offense.

NOTES: Before the game, the Thunder activated left wing Paul Caponigri and Ryan Geris off the injured reserve list and placed defenseman Beau Geisler on the three-day injured reserve list ... the Thunder improved to 12-3-1 in the all-time series against Phoenix.

The Thunder returns to play with a Sunday matinee at 4:00 p.m., facing the Fresno Falcons at Stockton Arena. The game can be heard live on radio at 1420 KSTN and on the internet (video and audio available) at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks.

Host of the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game and festivities on Jan. 22 and 23, the Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for two consecutive seasons and drew 244,085 fans to 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.

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