Thunder gains point in standings despite overtime loss

February 3, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Andrew Ianiero scored a game-winning goal 27 seconds into sudden-death overtime to send the Bakersfield Condors to a 3-2 overtime win over the Stockton Thunder (19-22-3, 41 points) before 6,444 at Stockton Arena on Saturday night.

The Thunder kept its seventh place spot in the National Conference by virtue of the overtime loss and moved three points ahead of eighth-place Phoenix.

Bakersfield's Todd Griffith scored his eighth goal of the season to open the scoring just 2:40 into the game, finishing a right wing feed from Tim Konsorada with a one-timer at the top of the crease. The Thunder answered at the 11:11 mark with rookie Geoff Paukovich's 10th goal of the season for a 1-1 tie on the power-play. Paukovich set a screen in front of Condors netminder Michel Robinson and re-directed Tim O'Connell's blast from the right point past Robinson.

Sean Venedam helped Bakersfield re-claim the lead at 2-1 with 3:12 left in the first period, burying a rebound after Thunder goaltender Tim Boron denied Andrew Ianiero's close-range bid.

With 14 seconds left in the period, Ryan MacMurchy extended his goal-scoring streak to four consecutive games with his team-leading 17th goal on the season to knot the score at 2-2. MacMurchy drove to the front of the net and finished a give-and-go play with Brandon Schwartz, who fed MacMurchy from the left circle.

Both teams kept the score even at 2-2 through the second as Boron and Robinson exchanged highlight-reel saves. Rookie Tom Zanoski was stoned by Robinson off a left circle face-off, while Boron denied a one-timer by Bakersfield's Brett Lutes at the left circle and robbed rookie Mark Derlago in the deep slot.

Both teams battled to a scoreless tie in the third period as the Thunder killed off a 5-on-3 Bakersfield power-play that lasted 33 seconds.

The Thunder carried the ECHL's best record when heading into the post-regulation stages (4-1 in overtime, 2-1 in shootouts) and defenseman Brian Lee made his first bid to end the game just 14 seconds into the extra session with a one-timed blast from the right circle, but Robinson snared the shot despite battling traffic at the top of the crease.

Just 13 seconds later, Ianiero ended the game by taking Venedam's left goal-line feed and lifting a one-timer under the crossbar.

Boron stopped 32 shots despite taking the overtime loss and has made 181 saves in his last five appearances. Robinson picked up the win with 33 stops for Bakersfield.

NOTES: The Thunder missed the services of Beau Geisler (injured reserve), Ryan Geris (injury) and Adam Huxley (injury) ... the Thunder record moved to 9-7-7 all-time against Bakersfield and is 3-3-1 in the season series ... the Thunder kept Bakersfield blanked on four power-play chances and has held the Condors to an 0-for-36 clip on the power-play this year.

The Thunder returns to play on Wednesday, February 6 with a 7:00 p.m. home game against the Utah Grizzlies from Stockton Arena. The game can be heard live on radio at 1420-AM KSTN and online (video and audio available) at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks.

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.



ECHL Stories from February 3, 2008


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