Thunder winning streak hits 10 games as 9,567 witness Radunske's four point-effort

Published on April 1, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Forward Brock Radunske extended his scoring streak to 13 consecutive games with a goal and three assists while Colin Pepperall scored two goals and an assist, as the Stockton Thunder (37-22-10, 84 points) cruised to a 4-1 victory over the Phoenix RoadRunners before 9,567 at Stockton Arena on Sunday.

The Thunder is on a team-record 10-game winning streak and has tied the Idaho Steelheads for fourth place in the National Conference, as both teams battle for home-ice advantage in the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs presented by Diede Construction. Stockton is guaranteed to finish no lower than fifth place in the National Conference.

Phoenix's Justin Aikins netted the game's first goal on a power-play at the 2:48 mark of the first period, caroming a point-shot from Alexandre Rouleau for his 26th goal of the season. The Thunder retaliated on a power-play at the 18:43 mark with veteran Tim Verbeek's 19th goal of the year for a 1-1 tie. On a delayed penalty, Nathan Martz corralled the puck in the right corner and waited for an outstretched Phoenix defender to slide by his passing lane, where Martz followed by hitting Verbeek with a pass in the slot. Verbeek nailed a one-timer past Phoenix goaltender Cody Rudkowsky for the game-tying goal.

Pepperall scored two goals in a span of 2:02 in the second period, beginning with his eighth of the season at the 14:37 mark for a 2-1 Thunder lead. Radunske set-up the play by fluttering the puck from behind the net into the slot, which found Pepperall and deflected off his chest and into the net.

Pepperall's ninth goal of the season hiked the lead to 3-1 when Brendon Hodge drew space at the right wing and fed a streaking Radunske, who deflected a shot off Rudkowsky to an open Pepperall at the left circle. Pepperall buried the rebound into a semi-open net for the two-goal advantage.

The Thunder finished the scoring with Radunske's 14th goal of the season at the third period's 9:51 mark, when Hodge fed Radunske at the right circle, who scooted past a defender into the slot and was originally denied by Rudkowsky on a wrist shot. Radunske followed with a backhander that zoomed past Rudkowsky's glove for a 4-1 lead.

All-star goaltender Devan Dubnyk earned his eighth consecutive win with 33 saves, including 24 in the last two periods to improve his record to 23-10-7. Hodge scored his first series of points since being activated from the injured reserve list and registered three assists.

The Thunder returns to play with its regular season home finale against the Fresno Falcons on Wednesday, April 4, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Stockton Arena to celebrate "Fan Appreciation Night," presented by St. Joseph's Medical Center and KB Home. 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 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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ECHL Stories from April 1, 2007


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