Thunder wins team-record sixth consecutive game behind Radunske's four points

Published on March 24, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah - Forward Brock Radunske led the Stockton Thunder (33-22-10, 76 points) offense with four points (2g-2a) as the Thunder won its sixth consecutive game, breaking a team all-time record as the Thunder cruised to a 7-4 win over the Utah Grizzlies in front of 4,470 at The E-Center on Saturday night.

Additionally, the Thunder broke a team record with its fourth consecutive road win and tied the team record for most goals in one game. Stockton finishes the season series 6-1-0 against Utah.

The Thunder began its offensive run with three goals in a two minute span, starting with veteran Colin Pepperall's sixth goal of the season at 5:23 in the first period, deflecting Radunske's right circle bid from in front of the net and past Utah goaltender Rob McVicar's glove.

Rookie Mathieu Melanson buried his 14th goal of the year with 6:53 gone and the Thunder nursing a power-play. Radunske helped set-up the goal with a drop-pass from the left wing to Pepperall, who fed Melanson at the right circle for a one-timer that beat McVicar to the glove side. Just 30 seconds later, enforcer Adam Huxley netted his first goal of the season to push the lead to 3-0, taking Tim O'Connell's rebounded slapshot from off the end boards and slipping the loose puck through McVicar's five-hole.

Utah drew to within two goals at 16:31 on Danny Stewart's 15th goal of the year for a power-play goal. The Thunder retaliated with 37 seconds left in the frame on Tim Verbeek's 17th goal of the season, pushing the lead to 4-1. Tim Sestito deflected a shot from in-tight that McVicar fumbled, followed up by Verbeek's backhander that found the net past McVicar's glove.

Thunder goaltender Cam Ellsworth stopped seven shots in the first period.

Utah capitalized on a two-goal rally to draw within 4-3 through two periods, beginning with Jake Riddle's fourth goal of the season at 7:58, cashing in on a three-on-two rush. Riddle took Danny Stewart's left wing feed and roofed a wrist shot under the crossbar. D.J. Jelitto cut the deficit to 4-3 with 12:34 gone, walking out from the right wall and caroming a wrist shot off traffic past Ellsworth's blocker side.

Utah goaltender Ben Gray relieved McVicar after the first period and stopped all 17 shots by the Thunder in the second period.

Radunske netted his first goal of the game at the 3:32 mark of the third period, pushing the Thunder lead to 5-3 with a wrist shot from the right circle. Radunske followed with his second of the night with 3:20 left in regulation to put the game out of reach at 6-3, cutting down the slot and deflecting Brian Lee's right wing pass through Gray's five-hole.

Utah cut the lead to two with Luciano Aquino's eighth goal of the season at 17:29, but rookie Liam Reddox put the game away for the Thunder with an empty-net goal with 42 seconds remaining, capitalizing on Jim Dahl's clearing pass from the Stockton end-zone.

Radunske has pushed his scoring streak to nine consecutive games, scoring 22 points (9g-13a) in that span. Pepperall has also scored at least a point in all nine games with the Thunder this season, while Ellsworth made 32 saves to improve his goaltending record to 13-12-3.

The Thunder returns home on Tuesday, March 27 with a 7:00 p.m. faceoff scheduled against the local rival Fresno Falcons 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" 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. Kelly Cup Playoff ticket packages and Thunder season 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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