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Thunder rallies again in last minute; Young lifts Salmon Kings to overtime win

November 17, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


VICTORIA, B.C. * The Stockton Thunder (7-1-2, 16 points) stretched their unbeaten streak to nine of the first 10 games to begin the season with a late third period goal from Mike Lalonde, which was upstaged by Seamus Young's game-winning overtime goal as the Thunder fell to the Victoria Salmon Kings in a 4-3 overtime decision, in front of 3,418 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Lalonde's goal, which came with 44 seconds remaining on a scramble at the top of the crease, marked the third time this season Stockton has pulled its goaltender for an extra attacker late in the game and scored to force overtime in as many tries.

Victoria took a 1-0 lead at the 18:42 mark of the first period when Wes Goldie picked up his seventh goal of the year, batting in fluttering at the top of the crease past Thunder goaltender Devan Dubnyk, who originally stopped a tip from David Wrigley in front of the net.

The Salmon Kings hiked the lead to 2-0 only 32 seconds into the second period, when Dubnyk's clearing attempt at the side of the net was intercepted by forward Ryan Wade, who snuck in a wrap-around attempt on the forehand past Dubnyk's stick side.

After out-shooting Victoria 14-8 in the first period and missing on a number of close-range chances on Victoria goaltender Julien Ellis, Stockton finally broke through at the 15:39 mark on Tyler Spurgeon's shorthanded goal to cut the deficit to 2-1, when Spurgeon outraced the defense down the right wing, gathered a pass by veteran defenseman Jason Beckett at the Salmon Kings blueline and sniped a 20-foot shot over Ellis' right shoulder.

Liam Reddox's first professional goal drew the Thunder even at a 2-2 score with 8:53 gone in the third period, when Reddox took Beckett's long outlet pass and roofed a shot from the left circle over Ellis stick side. Just under a minute later, Victoria regained a 3-2 advantage at the 9:41 mark when Darryl Lloyd finished a one-timer in the slot from Milan Gajic's centering bid and beat Dubnyk through the five-hole.

Dubnyk was pulled for an extra attacker and Stockton responded with Lalonde's game-tying marker, when Beau Geisler's shot from the left circle left a rebound at the left crease which Lalonde stuffed in past an outstretched Ellis.

Young capped the overtime session with the game-winner, with just 1.4 seconds left in the frame. Young buried a rebound past an outstretched Dubnyk from the right circle, after the Thunder goaltender sprawled across the crease to deny a one-timer from F.P. Guenette that originated from a Victoria rush up-ice.

The Thunder pounded Ellis with 53 shots, a Stockton season-high, while Ellis made 50 saves in net for a Victoria season-high mark among goaltenders.

In his Stockton debut, Beckett led the Thunder scoring with two assists on the night.

The Thunder finishes its season-long six-game road trip tomorrow, on Friday, November 17 with a 7:05 p.m. game against the Salmon Kings at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. The game's broadcast will be available (audio only, free of charge) 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.

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Three Stars:

1. VIC * Julien Ellis

2. VIC * Darryl Lloyd

3. STK * Tyler Spurgeon



ECHL Stories from November 17, 2006


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