Thunder nipped by Kings

November 17, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


VICTORIA, B.C. - Victoria Salmon Kings forward Wes Goldie's game-winning goal at the 10:56 mark of the third period, along with a two-goal night from Milan Gajic helped send the Stockton Thunder (6-7-0, 12 points) to their third consecutive loss in a 4-3 defeat to Victoria, before 4,152 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on Friday.

The Thunder outshot Victoria 7-1 in the early portion of the first period, but Milan Gajic drew first blood on his sixth goal of the season to put the Salmon Kings up front 1-0 with just 5:40 gone in the game, finishing Ash Goldie's centering pass from the right corner. The Thunder thwarted a Salmon Kings power-play and knotted the game at 1-1 on Ryan MacMurchy's third goal of the year and the Thunder's fifth shorthanded goal of the season.

MacMurchy stripped Victoria's Dylan Yeo at the neutral zone and beat Victoria netminder Billy Thompson with a backhanded goal on a breakaway.

The Thunder got their first lead of the game on Jacob Micflikier's fourth goal of season, a power-play marker with 48 seconds remaining. On a delayed penalty, defenseman Brian Lee floated a pass to Jesse Bennefield in the left corner, who quickly re-directed a centering bid for Micflikier in the slot and finshed with a one-timer to Thompson's glove side.

Kevin Estrada knotted the game at 2-2 with 4:23 left in the second period, setting a screen in front of Thunder goaltender Cam Ellsworth and re-directing Patrick Coulombe's wrist shot from the high slot past Ellsworth's stick side. Just 2:17 later, Gajic cashed in with his second goal of the game and sixth of the year, converting on an up-ice rush by taking Ash Goldie's drop pass as the right circle and snapping a shot from 15 feet past Ellsworth.

Victoria entered the game 4-0-0 when leading through two periods and the Thunder threatened that mark with Ryan O'Marra's sixth goal of the season at the 10:16 mark of the third, driving through the slot and whipping a rebound past Thompson after the Victoria netminder stopped a shot by Micflikier.

Just 38 seconds later, Goldie converted on the game-winner by taking a wrap-around to Ellsworth's stick side, followed by caroming a shot off Ellsworth's pad and into the net.

Thompson stopped 33 shots for the Salmon Kings, while Ellsworth countered with 33 stops in the loss.

NOTES: Scratched from the lineup was AHL-assigned prospect Pat Bateman (three-day injured reserve) ... O'Marra netted his first goal since November 7 ... Micflikier's goal and assist gave him 14 points (4g-10a) in the last 10 games ... the Thunder fell to 6-7-2 in the all-time series against Victoria and 2-6-2 lifetime at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

The Thunder wraps up the three-game series tomorrow with a 7:05 p.m. game against Victoria at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. The game can be heard exclusively online, free-of-charge at www.stocktonthunder.com (courtesy of B2 Networks), with a video feed available for viewing at a $6 charge.

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.



ECHL Stories from November 17, 2007


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