Verbeek notches third career hat trick, Lalonde ignites the Teddy Bear Toss

Published on January 14, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. * Veteran left wing Tim Verbeek scored a hat trick as the Stockton Thunder (18-7-6, 42 points) set a new offensive record in a 6-1 thumping of the Bakersfield Condors in front of a sellout crowd of 8,911 at Stockton Arena on Saturday.

On Stockton's second annual "Teddy Bear Toss Night," Verbeek's third career hat trick and the team's four-goal second period ignited the offense, breaking the Thunder mark for most goals in one period.

Both teams engaged in a defensive battle through one period, ending in a scoreless draw as Bakersfield outshot the Thunder by a 6-5 margin. Thunder all-star goaltender Devan Dubnyk was perfect through one slate with six saves, aided by a defense that kept quality scoring chances away from the rookie netminder.

Left wing Mike Lalonde scored his 13th goal of the season and Stockton's seventh shorthanded marker of the season for a 1-0 lead at the 4:24 mark of the second period, as Lalonde corralled an outlet pass from all-star center Nathan Martz, raced down the right wing and wired a 20-foot slapshot over Bakersfield goaltender Danny Taylor's glove. The goal ignited a toss of thousands of teddy bears that fans threw onto the ice, slated to be distributed by the United Way of San Joaquin County.

The Thunder hiked the lead to 2-0 on defenseman Tim O'Connell's eighth marker of the year at 11:28, when O'Connell finished a nifty drag-move from rookie Liam Reddox, who beat a Bakersfield defender down the right wing and fed O'Connell in front, dekeing Taylor to the glove side. Verbeek put Stockton up 3-0 just 3:05 later after capitalizing on a Bakersfield turnover at the left circle.

All-star rookie Troy Bodie potted the fourth goal of the period at the 18:22 mark for a 4-0 Thunder advantage, after defenseman Bryan Young cleared the Thunder zone with an up-ice pass to penalty-kill mate Tyler Spurgeon, who zoomed down the left wing on a 2-on-1 break and found Bodie wide open on Taylor's glove side for the right winger's 13th goal of the season shortly after a Bakersfield power-play expired.

Verbeek turned the game into blowout mode with his second tally on the night at the third period's 4:36 mark with a wrist shot from the left circle. Condors rookie Rane Carnegie scored his second goal in as many games with 13:48 gone to cut the Thunder lead to 5-1, which was followed by Verbeek's hat trick goal with 2:25 left. Verbeek sent hats flying onto the ice after the veteran jumped on a loose puck at center ice, flew down the left wing and beat Taylor with an identical wrist shot to the blocker side of Taylor.

Verbeek's hat trick is his first since December 9, 2002 while with the Roanoke Express, accomplishing the feat against the Reading Royals. Verbeek becomes the second player in Thunder history to record a hat trick, with the last coming from Lance Monych on March 11, 2006 at Bakersfield.

Dubnyk backstopped the Thunder to 24 saves, improving his record 11-2-5.

The Thunder returns to play at Stockton Arena for the final game before the all-star break against the Utah Grizzlies on Sunday, January 14, beginning at 4:00 p.m. The game can be heard live on the internet (free-of-charge) and is available for viewing for a $6 "pay-per-view" charge at www.stocktonthunder.com (courtesy of B2 Networks).

Thunder season tickets, mini-plans and individual tickets for the 2006-07 season 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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