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Thunder improves home record to 5-0-0

November 24, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Defenseman Beau Geisler scored two goals, including the game-winning tally to guide the Stockton Thunder (10-1-2, 22 points) to a 6-5 Thanksgiving night win over the Idaho Steelheads, in front of 4,479 at Stockton Arena on Thursday night.

Geisler posted his second two-goal game of his career (last happened with Reading on January 1, 2005 at Texas) as Stockton improves to 3-1-0 in four games this season against Idaho.

Both teams skated out to a wild 3-3 tie through one period, beginning with rookie center Tyler Spurgeon's sixth goal of the year just 1:10 into the contest, as he buried a one-timer from Tim Verbeek's centering feed from behind the goal after Idaho goaltender Steve Silverthorn coughed up the puck. Derek Nesbitt's one-timer from the right circle tied the game for Idaho at 1-1 with 3:43 gone, followed by Taggart Desmet's marker just under three minutes later, beating Thunder goaltender Cam Ellsworth off a deflection that caromed off his right pad.

With 9:45 into the game, Stockton shot back to knot the game at 2-2 on Geisler's shorthanded goal, as he took a centering pass from Tim Verbeek at the left circle and batted in a fluttering puck past Silverthorn. Just 42 seconds later, Idaho capitalized for their third power play goal of the game on a deflection by Mike Gabinet for a 3-2 lead. Mike Lalonde tied the game again for Stockton with 12:28 gone, burying a rebound from Brendon Hodge's point shot while Stockton nursed a 5-on-3 man advantage. Five more goals were scored between both teams in the second as Stockton took a 6-5 lead into the second intermission, beginning with Tim Sestito's tally 2:26 into the period for Stockton, who converted off a turnover in the mid-slot. Less than two minutes later, Troy Bodie buried another Idaho turnover from 25-feet out in the slot, beating Silverthorn through the five-hole for a 5-3 Thunder lead.

Idaho came back with two goals in a span of 1:41, beginning with veteran Scott Burt's breakaway goal at 9:54 to draw within one, followed by Gabinet's second goal of the game, on a one-timed marker to tie the game at 5-5. With 3:18 remaining in the period though, Geisler popped in his second goal of the game and the game-winner to put Stockton up 6-5 on the power play, converting Nathan Martz's backdoor pass while Geisler snuck down the left wing.

The third period featured a goaltending duel between Ellsworth and Silverthorn, with Ellsworth preserving the lead with 12 saves in the frame including a breakaway save on Idaho's Marty Flichel. Ellsworth made 27 total saves in the game.

Lalonde scored a goal and two assists, while Martz posted three assists to both lead the team in scoring. Both teams combined to score six power play goals.

Stockton has scored 19 goals in the last three games.

The Thunder continues its season-long nine-game homestand on Friday, November 24 against the Alaska Aces, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena. 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 B2 Networks).

Thunder season tickets, mini-plans and individual tickets for the 2006-07 season 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 November 24, 2006


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