Thunder score late, comeback attempt falls just short

February 11, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Las Vegas Wranglers goaltender Kevin Nastiuk made 27 saves, while Las Vegas scored two power-play goals in a 2-1 victory over the Stockton Thunder (21-14-9, 51 pts) before 7,922 fans at Stockton Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Thunder left-winger Mike Lalonde scored his 21st goal of the season in the loss.

Thunder goaltender Devan Dubnyk preserved a scoreless draw early on in the first period with a cross-crease sprawling save on a shot from Wranglers center Chris Neiszner at the tail end of a Las Vegas 2-on-1 opportunity.

The Wranglers opened the scoring late in the opening frame as center Derek Edwardson re-directed a Scott Schoneck point shot past Thunder goaltender Devan Dubnyk stick-side to give Las Vegas a 1-0 lead at 16:24. Edwardson's goal, a power-play marker, was his 15th tally thus far this season. Wranglers goaltender Kevin Nastiuk proceeded to maintain the Las Vegas lead, denying a Mike Lalonde scoring opportunity point-blank with a highlight-reel glove stop.

Wranglers defenseman Aaron Power doubled the Las Vegas lead at 18:45 converting a one-time feed from Schoneck that beat Dubnyk on the glove-side. Power's sixth goal of the season was scored on a Las Vegas 4-on-3 man advantage.

A scoreless second period saw Stockton continue to attack the Wrangler goal. Nastiuk, however, was equal to the task for Las Vegas. Lalonde had the best scoring chance of the period for the Thunder, streaking up the left-side into the Las Vegas zone late in the frame, only to have his short-side wrist shot attempt turned aside by the Wrangler goaltender.

Dubnyk would be called upon to keep the contest within reach just shy of the three minute mark of the third period, going 1-on-1 with Wrangler right-winger Nick Anderson. Anderson, who managed to maneuver into the Thunder zone un-touched, attempted to beat Dubnyk low, but the Thunder goaltender made the pad save to give Stockton an opportunity to stage a comeback.

Lalonde would cut the Wrangler lead to 2-1 at 19:15 of the third period, corralling a loose puck in front of Nastiuk, and beating the Las Vegas netminder five-hole for his 21st goal on the season.

Dubnyk made 22 saves in his return to the Thunder line-up. Lalonde, meanwhile, has scored nine points (8g - 1a) in his last nine games.

The Thunder returns to play on Wednesday, February 14 with a 7:05 p.m. road game against the Victoria Salmon Kings. The game can be heard live on the internet (free-of-charge) and is available for viewing for a $6 "pay-per-view" 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.



ECHL Stories from February 11, 2007


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