Thunder wins over Steelheads

November 3, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Goaltender Cam Ellsworth stopped 29 shots, and center Brandon Schwartz scored the game-winning goal at the 13 minute mark of the third period to lead the Stockton Thunder (4-3-0, 8 pts) to a 3-2 win over the Idaho Steelheads in front of a sold-out crowd of 9,737 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday night. The Thunder stretches its winning streak to four consecutive games with the victory.

The Thunder swept both games from Idaho in the back-to-back "Thunder Goes Pink II" series and carries a 4-0-0 all-time record in the games to benefit breast cancer awareness.

Thunder right winger Jesse Bennefield opened the scoring at the 12:31 mark of the first period, re-directing a Brad Farynuk wrist-shot from the right point beyond the outstretched glove-hand of Steelheads goaltender Kellen Briggs to lift Stockton to a 1-0 lead. The goal was Bennefield's team-leading 6th thus far this season.

Ellsworth held the Steelheads scoreless thru 20 minutes of play despite several quality scoring chances throughout the frame, most notably during the course of a late-period Idaho power-play.

Ellsworth denied Steelheads left-winger Lance Galbraith in-tight with a cross-crease split save as Galbraith attempted to slide a one-time feed from left-winger Mark Bomersback by the Stockton netminder. Ellsworth followed that up with a pad stop on a Galbraith re-direct attempt point-blank, and another pad save on center Greg Rallo's wrist-shot from inside the left face-off circle.

Steelheads forward Marty Flichel tied the score 1-1 at 4:11 of the second period, corralling his own rebound in front of the Thunder goal, and sliding the loose puck by Ellsworth five-hole for his 3rd goal of the season.

Center Mike Sullivan lifted Idaho to a 2-1 lead at the 8:25 mark of the period, converting a tape-to-tape feed from Flichel from the right corner. Sullivan beat Ellsworth with a wrist-shot from the slot high to the glove-side to record his 1st career ECHL goal.

Thunder defenseman Brian Lee nearly leveled the score past the midway point of the period on a Stockton power-play only to have his wrist-shot attempt from the high slot carom off the goal post behind Briggs.

The Thunder tied the contest 2-2 at 4:48 of the third period as center Jonas Almtorp chipped a rebound past Briggs off a Geoff Paukovich shot attempt from the left corner. Almtorp's 1st ECHL goal was also his first professional goal in North America.

Schwartz scored the go-ahead goal at the 13 minute mark of the frame blasting a 20-foot slap-shot by Briggs blocker-side for a 3-2 Thunder advantage. Schwartz's goal, the game-winning tally, was his 1st of the season, and first as a member of the Thunder.

The Thunder hits the road for three consecutive games and returns to play on Tuesday, November 6 with a 6:11p.m. matchup 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.



ECHL Stories from November 3, 2007


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