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Thunder knocks off ECHL's top team in 2-1 victory

March 29, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The Stockton Thunder (16-38-12, 44 points) nudged its way out of the ECHL cellar with its first win in franchise history over the Las Vegas Wranglers (50-12-6, 106 points), posting a 2-1 victory over the Wranglers in front of 4,288 at Orleans Arena on Tuesday.

With the win, the Thunder leapfrogs the idle Dayton Bombers and Phoenix RoadRunners in the ECHL standings, collecting its third win in four games.

Stockton also denied Las Vegas a bid for a new franchise record for home wins in one season, while Las Vegas (ten points behind the record with four games to go) is denied a chance to tie the ECHL's all-time record for points in one season.

Las Vegas took a 1-0 lead only 2:49 into the game, when Wranglers leading scorer Dan Tudin sped down the right wing and roofed a 20-foot wrist shot over Thunder goaltender Jeff Weber's glove. Stockton retaliated with 4:58 remaining in the first period, when leading goal-scorer Mike Lalonde banked in a shot from behind the net off Las Vegas netminder Mike McKenna's back.

Both teams played through a scoreless second period, as Weber's 19 saves matched up with McKenna's 18 stops through the course of the game.

The Thunder notched the eventual game-winner 9:24 into the third, when Aaron MacInnis converted a Lance Monych left corner feed that Ned Havern originally deflected into the slot, and blistered a 25-foot slapshot past McKenna.

Weber aided the Thunder's effort in sealing the game with 16 third period stops, posting 35 total saves in the game.

An assist from Jeff Lang enabled the Thunder defenseman to continue a hot streak with 11 points (3g-8a) in his last 13 games.

The Thunder returns home on Wednesday night with a 7 p.m. PT game slated against the San Diego Gulls at Stockton Arena. The game can be heard live on the internet (free-of-charge) at 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 Ticket 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 March 29, 2006


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