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Thunder ties for best record in the ECHL, now unbeaten in 10 of 11

November 18, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


VICTORIA, B.C. * Right wing Troy Bodie's game-winning third period goal, paired with two assists lifted the Stockton Thunder (8-1-2, 18 points) to a 6-3 road victory over the Victoria Salmon Kings before 4,381 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on Friday night.

The Thunder, continuing its best start in team history with an unbeaten stretch of 10 out of 11 games, finishes its season-long six-game road trip with a 3-1-2 record, while catapulting into first place in the ECHL's Pacific Division and eclipsing the Idaho Steelheads and Florida Everblades for the best record in the ECHL.

Center Tyler Spurgeon put Stockton ahead 1-0 only 13 seconds into the game, breaking a Thunder record for the fastest goal to begin a game and one period. Spurgeon converted a one-timer from the mid-slot past Victoria goaltender Julien Ellis, after right wing Tim Verbeek set up Spurgeon from the right circle from the game's opening faceoff.

Assistant captain Nathan Martz's power-play goal hiked the Thunder lead to 2-0 with 5:46 gone, burying a rebound into an open net after Ellis stopped Jeff Lang's bid from the point. Victoria responded with defenseman James DeMone's power-play marker with 8:00 elapsed, slapping a one-timer from the slot over Stockton netminder Devan Dubnyk's left shoulder.

Thunder defenseman Tim O'Connell scored his team-leading fifth goal of the year with only 33 seconds gone in the second period for a 3-1 score, wristing a shot from the left blueline that beat a screened Ellis on the glove side. The Salmon Kings cut the Thunder lead back to one on Seamus Young's one-timed tally at 17:37, converting F.P. Guenette's centering pass from the left corner for Victoria's second power-play goal of the game.

Stockton erupted with a three-goal period to close the game, beginning with Bodie's eventual game-winner from the slot with 13:25 left for a 4-2 Thunder lead. Milan Gajic drew Victoria back to a one-goal deficit again just 50 seconds later, finishing an up-ice rush by tipping in David Wrigley's left wing set-up while sprawling in front of Dubnyk.

It took only 2:05 after Gajic's goal for Stephane Goulet to push the Thunder lead to 5-3, beating Ellis in the slot past the goaltender's stick side on a turnaround shot, while fighting off a Victoria defender from the puck. Rookie defenseman Mark Adamek then closed the scoring with 14:44 gone with his first professional goal of his career, taking a Goulet feed at the high slot and blasting a 40-foot missile past Ellis' stick side.

Bodie's three-point night ties a team season-high for most points in a game, while the Thunder matched a season-high for most goals in one game. Dubnyk improved his record to 6-1-1 in net for the Thunder, turning away 27 Victoria shots.

The Thunder now returns home to begin a season-long nine-game homestand on Sunday, November 19 against the Utah Grizzlies, beginning at 4:00 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" rate 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.

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Three Stars:

1. STK * Troy Bodie

2. VIC * Milan Gajic

3. STK * Tyler Spurgeon



ECHL Stories from November 18, 2006


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