Thunder sweeps Victoria as 8,536 witness third period comeback

Published on March 11, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Forwards Brock Radunske and Mathieu Melanson scored a goal and assist as the Stockton Thunder (27-21-10, 64 pts) swept a three-game series from the Victoria Salmon Kings in a 4-3 shootout victory before 8,536 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday night.

The Thunder maintains sole possession of sixth place in the National Conference with the victory, led by Radunske and Tim Verbeek's shootout goal. All-star goaltender Devan Dubnyk stopped 21 shots in the win, blanking Victoria on all four bids in the shootout.

The Thunder opened the scoring at the 6:56 mark of the opening period as center Nathan Martz connected with Melanson, left un-marked in the slot in front of Salmon Kings goaltender Bryan Bridges. Melanson proceeded to beat the Victoria netminder with a wrist-shot stick-side to give Stockton a 1-0 lead. Melanson's goal was his 12th tally on the season.

Salmon Kings right-winger Marc-Andre Bernier tied the score 1-1 at 10:35, capitalizing on a turn-over in the Thunder zone. Bernier corralled the puck off the far left boards, cut towards the Thunder goal, and beat Stockton goaltender Devan Dubnyk with a back-hand glove-side to record his 14th goal on the year. Victoria would take a 2-1 lead at the 15:15 mark of the period as a Kiel McLeod 20-foot shot attempt inadvertently struck Milan Gajic's skate on its way towards Dubnyk, deflecting past the Thunder netminder's right pad. The goal was Gajic's 17th thus far this season.

Verbeek had the best scoring chance in a scoreless second frame, re-directing a Jason Beckett point shot towards Bridges on a late period power-play. The Victoria goaltender was forced to make a sprawling stop to preserve the Salmon Kings 2-1 advantage.

Verbeek bounced back to knot the score at 2-2 with 7:54 gone in the third period, taking a Melanson feed at the right wing and followed with a deke move to the front of the net, where he beat Bridges through the five-hole. At the 10:56 mark, Radunske gave the Thunder a 3-2 lead on a sharp-angle bid from the right corner that deflected off Bridges and over his glove.

Gustav Engman leveled the score at 3-3 for Victoria with 5:45 left in regulation, taking a McLeod centering bid and stuffing a shot through Dubnyk's five-hole. Dubnyk and the Thunder defense held Victoria at-bay by stoning a Salmon Kings 4-on-3 power-play for the remaining 1:35 of overtime.

The Thunder takes the season series from Victoria with a 4-2-2 record, and is 6-5-2 in the all-time series.

The Thunder continues its eight-game homestand with a game against the Idaho Steelheads on Wednesday, March 14, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Stockton 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. Thunder season tickets, mini-plans, group tickets 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.

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ECHL Stories from March 11, 2007


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