Thunder season ends, Las Vegas advances on Fraser's two-goal night

Published on April 23, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Curtis Fraser scored two goals and the Las Vegas Wranglers led in a wire-to-wire fashion, elminating the Stockton Thunder from the Kelly Cup Playoffs in a 4-1 Thunder defeat, before a crowd of 3,464 at Orleans Arena on Tuesday night in game 6 of the National Conference Quarterfinal round.

The Thunder, who fell in the best-of-seven series at a 4-2 series mark and got their only goal of the game from Stephane Goulet, were also backstopped by Tim Boron's 32 saves, setting a new Thunder playoff record with 230 saves in the series, shattering Devan Dubnyk's mark (188, set in 2007). Las Vegas, who advances to the second round of the playoffs for the third straight season, will face the Alaska Aces in the National Conference Semifinals.

#8 STOCKTON VS. #1 LAS VEGAS - NATIONAL CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS

Game 1: Stockton 4 at Las Vegas 2

Game 2: Stockton 4 at Las Vegas 5 (OT)

Game 3: Las Vegas 3 at Stockton 2

Game 4: Las Vegas 4 at Stockton 3 (OT)

Game 5: Las Vegas 3 at Stockton 6

Game 6: Stockton 1 at Las Vegas 4

Las Vegas scored two goals in a 31 second span to grab a 2-0 lead after one period, beginning with Tyler Mosienko's third goal of the playofs just 4:56 into the game, converting a backhanded shot from the rush while positioned between the hash marks. Fraser, in his first game back with Las Vegas after being reassigned from the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League, scored on the following Las Vegas shot from the left circle to push the Thunder into a 2-0 hole.

Boron made 14 saves in the first period, while Las Vegas' Kevin Lalande turned aside all eight shots faced.

The Thunder made their bid to get back in the game with a line rush early in the second period, but Lalande thwarted a snap shot by Goulet at the left circle to keep the Thunder off the scoreboard. Minutes later, Bruce Mulherin hiked the Las Vegas lead to 3-0 with 10:17 left in the second period for his first goal of the playoffs. Adam Cracknell set up the play by finding Mulherin on a breakaway, whose first attempt was stoned by the left pad of Boron.

Mulherin finished the play by burying the rebound off the backhand.

The Thunder continued in desperation to mount an early comeback in the third period, but had their best chance of the early stages denied when Lalande made diving save to the blocker-side post on a Lance Monych backhand attempt.

Still, the Thunder was able to get back in the game late on Goulet's goal with 6:35 remaining in regulation for his fifth of the playoffs. Ryan O'Marra won an attacking zone faceoff at the right circle and slipped a pass to Goulet in the slot, who buried a shot from the top of the crease.

Two more Thunder chances were stoned by Lalande late in the game and Fraser buried his second goal of the game, an empty-netter from the left wing with 57 seconds left in regulation, to restore the Wranglers lead to three goals.

NOTES: Before the game, defenseman Brian Lee was placed on three-day injured reserve and defenseman Joe Dustin was placed on three-day injured reserve ... other scratches were David Rohlfs (injured reserve), Luke Lynes (injured reserve) and Fredrik Johansson (healthy) ... Jacob Micflikier's 12 points (4g-8a) set a Thunder playoff record for most postseason points and Goulet's five goals also set a Thunder playoff record for most goals in one postseason.

The ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, the Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for three consecutive seasons and drew 239,337 fans to Stockton Arena in 2007-08. Season tickets for 2008-09 are now on sale. 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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