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Tordjman outduels Zemlak, Stoflet buries game-winner with 1:17 left

December 27, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Josh Tordjman recorded his second shutout of the season, stopping 35 shots and Evan Stoflet scored the game-winning goal with 1:17 left in regulation, helping the Bakersfield Condors send the Stockton Thunder (12-9-4, 28 points) to a 1-0 defeat before 5,321 fans at Rabobank Arena on Sunday.

The Thunder, who dropped its season-high fourth straight loss, were helped out by goaltender Garrett Zemlak's 22 saves and outshot the Condors, 35-23 for the game. Stoflet's goal sent Bakersfield to its fifth straight victory.

‚¬Å“I thoguht played well, ‚¬Â said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. ‚¬Å“We obviously had opportunities to score goals - give credit, their goalie played well, so the loss isn't due to a work ethic issue, that's for sure. But, we'll look for our execution to be better in the future. ‚¬Â

The Thunder controlled the tempo in the first period, outshooting Bakersfield 13-3. Both teams traded 11 shots each in the second period, and the Thunder's best chance to grab the lead went awry when Garet Hunt had a rebound roll over his stick after Tordjman denied a slapshot from the point.

Hunt's bid to break the scoreless tie early in the third period was foiled by Tordjman, who made a breakaway save on Hunt's snapshot from between the circles. Both goaltenders traded saves through the entire period, until the final two minutes of regulation when a sustained forecheck by the Condors set up the game-winner.

With Adam Naglich chipping a puck loose out of traffic, he fed Brendan Milnamow at the left point, who connected on a tape-to-tape pass with Stoflet at the right point. Stoflet's wrist shot seared through traffic and beat Zemlak through the five-hole with 1:17 left in regulation for the only goal of the game.

On the next shift, the Thunder worked the puck into the Bakersfield zone and pulled Zemlak for a 6-on-5 advantage, but three chances at the front of the net went wide or were stopped by Tordjman, to close the game.

NOTES: Before the game, Marcus Watson was released, Daryl Marcoux was activated off injured reserve and Trevor Hunt was placed on the three-day injured reserve list ‚¬Â¦ the Thunder scratched Chase Ryan (healthy), Jim McKenzie (injured reserve), Trevor Hunt (injured reserve), Bretton Cameron (healthy) and Tyson Sexsmith (injured reserve) ‚¬Â¦ Stockton went 0-for-3 on the power-play ‚¬Â¦ Jesse Gimblett recorded one shot on goal in his return from the American Hockey League.

The Thunder returns to play tomorrow, visiting the Bakersfield Condors at Rabobank Arena at 7:00 p.m. The game can be heard on radio at 1280 AM KWSX (joined in progress) and viewed live on the internet (pay-per-view video charge) at www.StocktonThunder.com, courtesy of AmericaOne.

A two-time recipient of the ECHL ‚¬Å“Award of Excellence, ‚¬Â Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew over 200,000 fans for the fifth consecutive season in 2009-10. Season Tickets, mini-plans and individual tickets for 2010-11 are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit http://www.stocktonthunder.com/.

THREE STARS:

1. BAK - 39 Josh Tordjman

2. BAK - 2 Evan Stoflet

3. BAK - 5 Joe Rullier



ECHL Stories from December 27, 2010


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