Thunder picks up third win in four games, Zanoski scores in pro debut

December 30, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Rookie Tom Zanoski scored a goal in his professional debut to propel a two-goal third period for the Stockton Thunder (13-15-2, 28 points), sinking the Bakersfield Condors in a 5-4 victory before a crowd of 5,517 at Rabobank Arena on Saturday night.

The Thunder picked up its first win in the season series over Bakersfield.

Jonas Almtorp put the Thunder up 1-0 just 1;24 into the game, stealing Kevin Truelson's pass in the slot and quickly whipping a wrist shot through the five hole of Condors netminder Yutaka Fukufuji.

Rookie center Geoff Paukovich followed with his seventh goal of the season to make it 2-0, when ex-Condor Spencer Carbery set up Adam Huxley in the slot and rolled a backhander in net. Fukufuji kicked out the shot and Paukovich pounced on the rebound and lifted a backhander over a sprawling Fukufuji from the right side of the crease at the 13:30 mark.

Just 3:01 later, Andrew Ianiero drew the Condors to within a goal with his eighth tally of the year, finishing a centering pass by Maxime Lincourt in the slot and firing a wrist shot past Thunder goaltender Glenn Fisher.

Tim Konsorada tied the game at 2-2 for Bakersfield, scoring his team-leading 18th goal of the season while shorthanded at the 2:47 mark. Konsorada skated down the right wing and unleashed a snap shot that beat Fisher over the glove.

The Thunder responded with Andy Contois' eighth goal of the season with 5:10 gone in the second period to reclaim the lead at 3-2. Fukufuji stopped a wrist shot by Ryan MacMurchy at the right circle and kicked the rebound to the left side, where Contois followed up by burying the disc into a semi-open net.

Fisher made 14 stops in the second period to keep the Condors at-bay.

Bakersfield's Mark Derlago tied the game at the 7:16 mark with his seventh goal of the season, but Zanoski, the Dalhousie University (CIS) product followed with his first pro goal on the power-play to give the Thunder a 4-3 edge with 7:30 left in the game. Stephane Goulet set up Zanoski with a pass from the right corner that hit Zanoski in the slot, followed by his wrist shot that beat Fukufuji to the blocker side.

Goulet picked up his fourth goal of the season on an empty-netter with 30 seconds remaining and Reagan Leslie finished the scoring for Bakersfield with a rebound goal at 19:45.

Fisher finished the game with 34 saves.

NOTES: The Thunder improved to 7-7-6 lifetime against Bakersfield and 1-3-0 in the season series ... the Thunder has scored a power-play goal in nine consecutive games ... Goulet's goal and assist extended his point-scoring streak to nine consecutive games and has 13 points (4g-9a) in that span.

The Thunder resumes play on Tuesday, January 1 to face the Las Vegas Wranglers at Orleans Arena at 5:00 p.m. The game can be heard live on radio at 1420-AM 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.



ECHL Stories from December 30, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central