Thunder Snag Second Straight Win Over Fresno on Rohlfs' Shootout Winner

Published on December 20, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - David Rohlfs' goal in the 10th round of the shooout lifted the Stockton Thunder (10-12-4, 24 points) to its second consecutive victory, edging the Fresno Falcons 3-2 in front of 2,796 at Selland Arena on Friday night.

Thunder goaltender Bryan Pitton made 36 saves and received offensive support on goals by Cory Urquhart and Mike Salekin. Fresno had a goal each from Jarrett Konkle and Dan Bertram.

Both teams battled through a scoreless draw through one period and the Falcons outshot the Thunder 15-2. Thunder goaltender Bryan Pitton kept the scoreless tie in tact with a point-blank save on Dan Bertram after the Falcons pounced on a Thunder turnover behind the net in the waning seconds of the period.

Veteran Cory Urquhart's eighth goal of the season lifted the Thunder to a 1-0 lead at 6:10 of the second period, when he took Ryan Huddy's centering pass behind the net and ripped a one-timer past Fresno goaltender Joe Fallon from the high slot.

Jarrett Konkle responded with his 15th goal of the season and sixth against the Thunder this year with 4:09 left in the period to knot the score at 1-1, burying a third chance rebound from the doorstep after Pitton stopped Judd Blackwater's snap shot from the right circle.

Salekin put the Thunder ahead on the power-play at 11:40 of the third period when he converted Craig Valette's backdoor feed from the left wing and ripped a one-timer past Fallon. Bertram countered with his first ECHL goal at 13:49 of the third period when he rifled a drive past Pitton from the left circle.

Both teams played through a scoreless overtime session and Rohlfs converted the shootout winner on a snapshot from between the hash marks.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Marc-Andre Bernier (injured reserve), Ryan MacMurchy (injury, day-to-day), Jordan Bendfeld (injured reserve), Toby LaFrance (healthy) and Jeff Kyrzakos (illness) ... the Thunder moved its record to 9-20-6 in the lifetime series ... the Thunder improved to 2-2 in shootouts this year... the Thunder outshot Fresno 35-29 ...

The Thunder return to play on Saturday, Dec. 20 with a 7:35 p.m. road rematch against the Fresno Falcons at Selland Arena. The game is available exclusively online (audio is free-of-charge) for viewing for a $7 charge at http://www.stocktonthunder.com/ (courtesy of B2 Networks).

The proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, the Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for three consecutive seasons and drew 239,337 fans to Stockton Arena in 2007-08. Season, group, individual tickets and mini plan packages are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit http://www.stocktonthunder.com/.

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