Thunder ties game with 1.1 left, succumbs in 5-4 overtime loss

Published on February 23, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - In a dizzying third period which included a blown three-goal lead, a game-tying goal with less than two seconds left, and playoff-like energy had Stockton Thunder (8-31-10, 26 points) taking the Bakersfield Condors (23-19-5, 51 points) to overtime, but dropped a 5-4 overtime decision to bag an extra period in front of 3,210 at Stockton Arena on Wednesday night.

Coming off a President's Day stretch where the Thunder made three player transactions, a different team erupted out of the gates with three unanswered goals. Aaron MacInnis put the Thunder ahead 1-0 at the 16:52 mark, converting a Joel Irwin feed for a one-timed blast from 40-feet. Thunder goaltender Jake Moreland built off his recent record-setting performance with 16 first period saves.

Stockton expanded its lead to 2-0 only 44 seconds into the second frame, when Lance Monych netted a one-timer from the slot after forward Mike Lalonde's hustle play to keep the puck inside the blueline. Lalonde then stretched the Thunder advantage to 3-0 on a rebound power play goal at the 7:32 mark.

Mathieu Brunelle's power play goal got Bakersfield on the board 16:01 into the second, banging in a rebound off a blocked Kevin Truelson shot to start a wild comeback.

The third period saw the Condors continue the comeback in a hurry as they scored three consecutive goals to take a 4-3 lead, on markers by Scott Borders, Andrew Ianiero and Kevin Kotyluk. With time running out, the Thunder pulled Jake Moreland for an extra skater, and Aaron Foster knocked in the game-tying goal with 1.1 seconds remaining in regulation in a scrum in front of the goal, with Lalonde and Geno Parrish getting credited with assists.

Bakersfield's Brad Mehalko netted the game winner 1:46 into overtime on a 20-foot wrist shot.

Monych continued to be a force with the Thunder, picking up his fourth goal and fifth point since joining the team. Lalonde's goal and two assists on the night marks a professional career high for points in a game with three.

The Thunder returns to play on Saturday with a 7:30 p.m. PT face-off against the Bakersfield Condors from 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 B-2 Networks.

Thunder season tickets, individual tickets, and mini packages are on-sale now. Individual tickets can be purchased in person at Stockton Arena's Ticket Office, online at www.stocktontickets.com, or by phone at (209) 373-1700. 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 February 23, 2006


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