Sports stats

Thunder rallies from 3-1 deficit in third period

November 28, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah - Goaltender Tim Boron made 32 saves in his Stockton Thunder (8-9-1, 17 points) debut and the Thunder rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period, courtesy of goals from Mark Adamek and Andy Contois just 1:08 apart, to force overtime and sink the Utah Grizzlies in a 4-3 shootout win before 3,316 at The E-Center on Wednesday.

Boron, making his first appearance in 17 days, wrapped up the victory with a dramatic stop on Utah's Scott Burt in the final round of the shootout with a blocker save on Burt's wrist shot from the right circle.

Both teams, engulfed in a defensive stalemate, skated to a scoreless tie through one period. Utah outshot the Thunder 7-5 through 20 minutes of play and Boron got involved early with a first period breakaway save on Michael Haley.

The Thunder drew first blood at the second period's 1:45 mark on Jonas Almtorp's fifth goal of the season for a 1-0 lead, burying a centering pass by Geoff Paukovich from behind the net after Utah goaltender Michael Mole stopped Phil Cole's shot from the left point and kicked the puck behind the goal to Contois, who set up Paukovich.

Just 2:35 later, the veteran Burt scored his eighth goal of the year on a breakaway, tying the game at 1-1 on a backhander that eluded Boron's blocker side. Soon thereafter, Keith Johnson netted his 12th goal of the season, extending his point-scoring streak to six consecutive games and giving Utah a 2-1 lead at the 3:20 mark. Johnson's power-play goal finished a scramble off to the right of the net, where Trevor Smith found Johnson wide-open at the left goal post.

Burt scored his second goal of the game and ninth of the year at 17:25 for a 3-1 Utah lead, finishing a 2-on-2 rush by ripping a wrist shot from the right circle over Boron's blocker. Mole kept the Thunder attack at-bay by stopping all 16 shots in the second period.

Utah had a 5-0-0 record when leading after two periods this season and the Thunder began chipping away at the mark of invincibility with defenseman Mark Adamek's first goal of the season with 6:06 remaining in regulation, cutting Utah's lead to 3-2. Adamek's goal was set-up by Almtorp's wrist shot in the mid-slot that was blocked by Utah's defense and caromed to Adamek, who held the puck inside the blueline at the high slot and fired a wrist shot that ringed off the goal post and deflected into the cage, off the back of Mole.

Contois then forced overtime with 4:52 remaining in regulation by taking an outlet pass from David Rohlfs, zooming by a Utah defender at the blueline and scoring on a breakaway.

Utah outshot the Thunder 2-0 in overtime and got its only shootout goal by Johnson. The Thunder responded with goals in the fourth and fifth round by Brandon Schwartz and Contois, respectively.

NOTES: Boron notched his third consecutive win of the year and second over Utah this season ... Thunder right wing Ryan MacMurchy did not play and was a late scratch (lower-body injury) ... the Thunder was led offensively by two-point efforts from Contois (1g-1a) and Almtorp (1g-1a) ... the Thunder improved to 8-6-0 in the all-time series against Utah.

Stockton returns to play on Friday with a rematch against the Utah Grizzlies at The E-Center, starting at 6:05 p.m. The game can be heard live on radio at 1420 KSTN (joined in progress) 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 November 28, 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.

Other Recent Stockton Thunder Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central