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Thunder win fifth straight

November 6, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


PHOENIX, Ariz. - Rookie David Rohlfs scored a career-high two goals and goaltender Glenn Fisher stopped a career-high 44 shots as the Stockton Thunder (5-3-0, 10 points) won their fifth consecutive game in a 4-3 victory over the Phoenix RoadRunners at U.S. Airways Center on Tuesday.

The Thunder scored two shorthanded goals, a new team record.

Both teams traded multiple scoring chances through the opening minutes of play before Andy Contois gave the Thunder a 1-0 lead on his second goal of the season at the first period's 15:08 mark, taking a Jesse Bennefield pass from the left wing boards and slamming a wrist shot past a diving Cody Rudkowsky from the slot.

Just 1:33 later, rookie right wing David Rohlfs hiked the lead to 2-0, taking Brad Farynuk's long outlet pass from the Thunder's own blueline and firing a slap shot from the right circle past Rudkowsky's blocker. Goaltender Glenn Fisher continued his hot stretch with shutout hockey in the opening period, stopping 11 shots.

The Thunder expanded its lead to 3-0 on Jonas Almtorp's second goal of the season with 8:18 remaining in the second period. Phoenix coughed up a turnover in the mid-slot, jumped on by Almtorp who raced down the ice with Geoff Paukovich on a 2-on-0 breakaway. Almtorp, skating down the right wing, buried a wrist shot from 15 feet through the legs of Rudkowsky for a shorthanded tally.

Just 26 seconds later, Justin Maiser snapped Fisher's shutout streak with a power-play goal to cut the Thunder lead to 3-1. Maiser buried a wrist shot in the slot past Fisher's glove after connecting on a give-and-go play with Peder Skinner in the right corner.

Brian Yandle drew Phoenix to within a goal at 3-2 with a power-play tally at the 5:02 mark of the third, taking a wrist shot off an endzone faceoff which deflected off traffic in front of Fisher. Rohlfs converted the Thunder's second shorthanded goal of the evening at the 7:56 mark, converting a centering pass from Brandon Schwartz at the left wing.

Mitch Carefoot tallied his first pro goal with 11:20 gone in the third to put Phoenix down by one goal again, banging in a rebound at the top of the crease after Fisher stopped his first bid in the slot. Fisher withstood Phoenix's pressure with 18 saves in the final period.

NOTES: Defenseman Sebastien Bisaillon's jersey number changed from #32 to #23 ... Fisher's shutout streak was snapped at 153:48 ... the Thunder improved to 10-2-1 in the all-time series vs. Phoenix.

The Thunder returns to play tomorrow a 6:11p.m. rematch at U.S. Airways Center against the Phoenix RoadRunners. The game can be heard live on radio at 1420 KSTN and on the internet (video and audio available) at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks.

Host of the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game and festivities on Jan. 22 and 23, the Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for two consecutive seasons and drew 244,085 fans to Stockton Arena in 2006-07. Season tickets, group tickets and individual tickets for 2007-08 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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