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Thunder succumbs to third-period comeback, sets for playoffs on

April 7, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


LAS VEGAS - Forward Derek Edwardson capped a two-goal third period rally with a power-play goal as the Las Vegas Wranglers clinched the ECHL's Brabham Cup title for the league's best record, sending the Stockton Thunder (38-24-10, 86 points) to a 2-1 loss in the ECHL regular season finale before 6,844 at Orleans Arena on Saturday.

The Thunder, who has surpassed last season's total for points (50), wins (18), home wins (8) and road wins (10), finishes third in the Pacific Division and fifth in the National Conference, opening up the 2007 Kelly Cup Playoffs on the road against the fourth-seed Idaho Steelheads with the following schedule:

#4 Idaho vs. #5 Stockton: (all times PT)

Game 1: at Idaho - April 10, 6:10 p.m. Game 2: at Idaho - April 11, 6:10 p.m. Game 3: at Stockton - April 13, 7:30 p.m. Game 4: at Stockton - April 15, 4:00 p.m. Game 5: at Stockton - April 16, 7:00 p.m. * Game 6: at Idaho - April 18, 6:10 p.m. * Game 7: at Idaho - April 19, 6:10 p.m. * * If necessary

Both teams skated to a scoreless tie through one period, as Thunder goaltender Cam Ellsworth made 11 saves in the first period which included two point-blank stops at the top of the crease on Las Vegas' Arpad Mihaly and Steve Crampton.

Ellsworth kept Las Vegas at-bay with 13 second period saves to preserve a 1-0 lead through two frames, after Brendon Hodge's ninth goal of the season at the 11:20 mark. Hodge netted the game's first goal after Colin Pepperall's shot from the right circle caromed off Las Vegas goaltender Mike McKenna, who kicked the rebound to Hodge at the left circle. Hodge buried the rebound into a semi-open net.

Las Vegas began its rally with Aaron Power's power-play goal at the third period's 8:29 mark, corralling a right wing feed by Steve Crampton at the high slot and drilling a 40-foot slapshot under the crossbar. Edwardson netted the game-winner at the 12:11 mark for another power-play goal, taking Shawn Limpright's drop pass and beating Ellsworth to the blocker side with a wrist shot from the right circle.

The Thunder finishes the season series at a 1-4-1 clip against the Wranglers. Ellsworth made 33 saves in net for the game.

Before the game, the Thunder activated forward Mathieu Melanson off the three-day injured reserve list and placed left wing Mike Lalonde on the three-day injured reserve list.

The Thunder returns to play for its first trip to the Kelly Cup Playoffs in team history, beginning with game one of the National Conference quarterfinal round on Tuesday, April 10 against the Idaho Steelheads, starting at 6:10 p.m. at Qwest Arena. The game can be heard live on the internet (free-of-charge) and is available for viewing at a $6 "pay-per-view" charge at www.stocktonthunder.com (courtesy of B2 Networks).

Recently named host of the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game, the Thunder drew 228,364 fans to Stockton Arena in its inaugural season, the ECHL's best attendance mark for 2005-06. Ticket packages and individual tickets for the Kelly Cup Playoffs presented by Diede Construction and 2007-08 Thunder season tickets 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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