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Stockton
Thunder Weekly Review
April 8 – April 15
Tuesday, April
10
Stockton Thunder 4 – Idaho Steelheads
2
The Stockton Thunder recorded their first ever
playoff game victory, with a 4-2 win over the
Idaho Steelheads at the Quest Arena in Boise.
Stockton scored three goals in the final eight
minutes for the comeback win. Jason Beckett
opened the scoring with a first period power
play goal 9:44 into the game on assists from
Mathieu Melanson and Colin Pepperall. Idaho
evened the score with a goal with 2:10 left
in the period. After a scoreless second period
Idaho went up 2-1 on at goal at 3:36 of the
third period. Ryan Geris tied the game when
he scored his first professional goal on a 4-on-3
power play at 11:51 on assists from Pepperall
and Nathan Martz. Stockton went ahead for good
when
Tim Sestito scored an unassisted shorthanded
goal with 4:13 remaining in the game. Liam Reddox
finished out the scoring with an empty net goal
with 1:53 remaining in the game. Geris who earlier
scored his first goal assisted on Reddox’s
goal to earn his first professional assist.
Troy Bodie who rejoined the Thunder after a
stint with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL
also assisted on Reddox’s goal. Devan
Dubnyk stopped 26 of 28 shots for the win in
the Thunder net.
Wednesday, April 11
Idaho Steelheads 3 - Stockton Thunder 0
The Idaho Steelheads evened the best of seven
game series at one game a piece with a 3-0 shutout
of the Stockton Thunder at the Quest Arena in
Boise. The Steelheads scored the only goal of
the first two periods just 3 minutes, 58 seconds
into the game. The Steelheads were able to kill
off five-first period power plays to keep the
Thunder off the scoreboard. Idaho put the game
out of reach with two goals early in the third
period. Idaho scored 3:32 into the period and
scored their final goal just 28 seconds later.
Stockton ended the night 0-6 on the power play
as Steve Silverthorn recorded the shutout for
the Steelheads. Devan Dubnyk faced 27 shots
on goal in the net for the Thunder.
Friday, April 13
Idaho Steelheads 2 - Stockton Thunder 1 (2OT)
John Lammers scored with 11:58 remaining in
the second overtime period to give the Idaho
Steelheads a 2-1 win at the Stockton Arena.
After a scoreless first period Colin Pepperall
gave the Thunder the lead with a goal at 4:07
of the second period on assists from Mike Lalonde
and Mathieu Melanson. The Steelheads tied the
game with 7:17 remaining in the third period
on a 5-on-3 power play. Stockton was 0-11 on
power play opportunities, including eight minutes
of power play time in the first overtime period.
Devan Dubnyk faced 48 shots on goal in the net
for the Thunder.
Sunday, April 15
Stockton Thunder 3 – Idaho Steelheads
2
Stockton evened the playoff series with the
Idaho Steelheads at 2-2 with a thrilling victory
at the Stockton Arena. Stockton grabbed the
early lead at 7:09 of the first period on a
goal from Nathan Martz. Idaho tied the game
just 41 seconds later and took the lead with
a goal at 9:40 of the second period. Liam Reddox
tied the game with a goal at 12:19 of the second
period on an assist from Tim Sestito. Sestito
scored the game winning goal at 5:30 of the
third period on a spectacular rush up ice. Goaltender
Devan Dubnyk sent a pass up ice to Ryan Geris
who fired a pass to Sestito who took it at full
stride at mid-ice. Sestito weaved his way through
defenders before firing a wrist shot into the
corner of the net past the Idaho goalie. Dubnyk
stopped 34 shots on goal to earn the victory
in net for the Thunder.
Stockton Thunder Weekly Review
April 2 – April 7
Wednesday, April 4
Stockton Thunder 4 – Fresno Falcons 2
The Stockton Thunder defeated Fresno for the
second straight time this season to extend their
winning streak to eleven games before 6,596
fans at the Stockton Arena. Fresno opened the
scoring with a first period power play goal.
The Thunder answered with three-second period
goals. Colin Pepperall recorded his tenth goal
of the season with a goal at 14:49 on assists
from Tim Sestito and Brendon Hodge. Stephane
Goulet gave the Thunder the lead just 42 seconds
later. Tim Verbeek and Mark Adamek assisted
on Goulet’s goal. Liam Reddox closed out
the second period scoring with at goal at 19:20
on assists from Jason Beckett and Mike Lalonde.
Reddox scored his second goal of the game at
7:45 of the third period on an assist from Lalonde
to close out the Thunder scoring. Fresno added
a goal at 12:15 to make the final score 4-2.
Devan Dubnyk made 36 saves in net for the Thunder.
Friday, April 6
Las Vegas Wranglers 3 - Stockton Thunder 1
The Wranglers ended Stockton’s eleven
game winning streak with a 3-1 victory at the
Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Colin Pepperall
scored a power play goal to tie the game at
5:18 of the second period on assists from Mike
Lalonde and Nathan Martz for the Thunder’s
lone goal. The Wranglers closed out the game
with two third period power play goals. Devan
Dubnyk stopped 31 shots in net for the Thunder.
Saturday, April 7
Las Vegas Wranglers 2 - Stockton Thunder 1
The Thunder finished out the season with a 2-1
loss at Las Vegas. Stockton took the lead on
a goal from Brendon Hodge at 11:20 of the second
period on assists from Colin Pepperall and Mathieu
Melanson. The Wranglers answered with two third
period goals to earn the win. Cam Ellsworth
made 33 in the net for the Thunder. The Thunder
finished out the regular season with a record
of 38-24-10, for 86 points. The Thunder will
travel to Boise, Idaho to open the first round
of the playoffs on Tuesday against the Steelheads.
March 26 – April 1
Tuesday, March 27
Stockton Thunder 5 – Fresno Falcons 2
The Stockton Thunder defeated Fresno for the
first time this season to extend their winning
streak to seven games before 4,372 fans at the
Stockton Arena. Nathan Martz opened the scoring
with a goal at 9:20 of the first period on an
assist from Liam Reddox. Fresno grabbed the
lead with two unanswered goals in the first
period. Stockton tied the game just 1:12 into
the second period when Brock Radunske deflected
Tim O’Connell’s shot for his twelfth
goal of the season. Stockton took the lead for
good at 4:09 of the period when Bryan Lee scored
on assists from Colin Pepperall and Adam Huxley.
Radunske scored his second goal of the game
at 6:40 of the third period on assists from
Mathieu Melanson and Stephane Goulet. Tim Verbeek
finished out the scoring with an empty net goal.
Radunske, who was honored as the ECHL Player
of the Week, finished with two goals and an
assist. Devan Dubnyk made 33 saves in net for
the Thunder.
Friday, March 30
Stockton Thunder 4 – Phoenix Roadrunners
0
The Thunder recorded its eighth straight win
with a shutout before 9,234 fans at the Stockton
Arena. For the second straight game, Nathan
Martz opened the scoring with a goal in the
first period. Liam Reddox and Jason Beckett
assisted on the goal. Colin Pepperall scored
his seventh goal of the season with a goal at
9:35 of the second period on assists from Mathieu
Melanson and Brock Radunske. Beckett finished
out the second period scoring with a power play
goal at 15:42 on assists from Tim Sestito and
Bryan Lee. Reddox completed the scoring with
shorthanded goal at 0:37 of the third period.
Devan Dubnyk stopped 27 shots to earn his second
shutout of the season.
Saturday, March 31
Stockton Thunder 4 – Bakersfield Condors
3 (SO)
The Thunder continued its record setting victory
streak with a shootout victory over the Condors.
Stockton jumped out to a first period 2-0 lead
on goals by Jim Dahl and Stephane Goulet. Bakersfield
rallied to take a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes.
Bryan Lee tied the game with 7:26 left to play
to set up the thrilling overtime and shootout.
Nathan Martz scored in the eighth round of the
shootout to give the Thunder its ninth straight
victory. Goaltender Cam Ellsworth made 43 saves
to earn the victory in the net for the Thunder.
Sunday, April 1
Stockton Thunder 4 – Phoenix Roadrunners
1
The Stockton Thunder became the first ECHL team
to win ten straight games this season with a
victory over Phoenix before 9,567 fans at the
Stockton Arena. It was the second straight game
with 9,000+ fans at the arena. Phoenix opened
the scoring with a power play goal at 2:48 in
the opening period. Tim Verbeek tied the score
with a power play goal at 18:43 of the period
on assists from Nathan Martz and Brock Radunske.
Colin Pepperall provided all the scoring in
the second period with his eighth and ninth
goals. Radunske and Brendon Hodge assisted on
both of Pepperall’s goals. Hodge scored
three assists on the day. Radunske, who has
a 13-game point streak (12 goals-18 assists),
finished off his four-point day with a goal
at 9:51 of the third period. Devan Dubnyk improved
his season record to 23-10-4-3 by stopping 33
of 34 shots.
Stockton Thunder Weekly Review March 19 –
March 25
Thursday, March
22
Stockton Thunder 6 – Utah Grizzlies 3
Six different players scored for the Stockton
Thunder as they beat the Utah Grizzlies 6-3
for their fourth straight victory. Brock Radunske
tied the game 1-1 with just 16 seconds remaining
in the first period. Liam Reddox gave the Thunder
the 2-1 lead with a goal three minutes into
the second period. After Utah tied the score,
10 seconds later Stockton answered with three
goals from Tim O’Connell, Radunske, and
Stephane Goulet. Colin Pepperall finished the
scoring for the Thunder with a third period
goal. Cam Ellsworth recorded 37 saves in the
nets for the Thunder. Radunske set a Thunder
team record with five points on two goals and
three assists.
Friday, March 23
Stockton Thunder 5 – Utah Grizzlies 1
The Thunder recorded their second straight victory
over the Utah Grizzlies to move into a tie with
the Fresno Falcons for fifth place in the National
Conference. Brock Radunske continued his hot
scoring touch by giving the Thunder the lead
with a goal 6:26 into the first period. Mathieu
Melanson gave the Thunder a 2-0 with a power
play goal at 10:57 of the first period. Utah
scored at 2:02 of the second period to cut the
Thunder’s lead to 2-1, but Stockton answered
with three straight second period goals to put
the game away. Colin Pepperall, Stephane Goulet,
and Jason Beckett scored the goals for the Thunder.
Pepperall’s goal was his 400th career
point. Devan Dubnyk improved his season record
to 20-10-4-3 by stopping 33 shots.
Saturday, March 24
Stockton Thunder 7 – Utah Grizzlies 4
Brock Radunske continued his red-hot scoring
touch by scoring two goals and two assists to
lead the Thunder to its franchise-record sixth
straight victory. Colin Pepperall opened the
scoring for the Thunder with a goal at 5:23
of the first period. Mathieu Melanson scored
his fourteenth goal in fourteen games with a
power play goal at 6:53 of the first period.
Enforcer Adam Huxley scored his first goal of
the season just 30 seconds later. Utah cut the
Thunder’s lead to 3-1 with a power play
goal but Tim Verbeek scored his seventeenth
goal at 19:23 of the period to extend the Stockton
lead. Utah scored the only goal of the second
period to cut the Stockton lead to 4-2. Radunske
scored his two goals to open the third period
scoring. Liam Reddox finished out the scoring
with an empty net goal at 19:18. Goaltender
Cam Ellsworth stopped 32 shots to improve his
record to 13-12-1-2.
Stockton Thunder Weekly Review
March 11 – March 18
Wednesday,
March 14
Idaho Steelheads 4 – Stockton Thunder
3
Stockton suffered a disappointing loss to the
Idaho Steelheads to snap a three game winning
streak. An apparent game-tying goal was waved
off with 30 seconds remaining in the game. The
goal by Colin Pepperall was waved off because
the officials ruled that Thunder defenseman
Jason Beckett touched the puck with his glove.
Pepperall would score 12 seconds later but the
Thunder could not get of another shot in the
closing seconds of the game. Stockton’s
other two goals were scored on 5-on-3 advantages.
Tim Verbeek scored the first Thunder goal on
assists from Tim O’Connell and goalie
Cam Ellsworth. Stephane Goulet scored the Thunder’s
second goal on assists from O’Connell
and Beckett. Ellsworth faced 30 shots in the
net for the Thunder.
Friday, March
16
Stockton Thunder 3 - Idaho Steelheads 2
Stockton scored three power play goals and held
off Idaho in the closing seconds to earn a victory
before 6,873 fans at the Stockton Arena. Tim
Verbeek opened the scoring with his fourteenth
goal of the season on assists from Beau Geisler
and Stephane Goulet. Brock Radunske gave the
Thunder a 2-0 lead with a goal at 3:13 of the
second period on assists from Geisler and Nathan
Martz. Colin Pepperall scored the game winner
at 1:28 of the final period on assists from
Jason Beckett and Brock Radunske. Stockton held
off an Idaho 6-on-4 advantage in the closing
seconds. Idaho pulled their goalie for an extra
skater and Thunder defenseman Tim O’Connell
was given a roughing penalty with 25.1 seconds
remaining in the game. Idaho was unable to score
as Nathan Martz cleared the puck to the Idaho
end of the ice with three seconds remaining.
Devan Dubnyk earned the victory in the net for
the Thunder.
Saturday, March
17
Stockton Thunder 4 – Bakersfield Condors
1
Liam Reddox scored a goal and recorded two assists
to lead the Thunder to a victory over the Bakersfield
Condors. Reddox gave the Thunder the lead on
a goal at just 1:08 into the game with assists
from Nathan Martz and Stephane Goulet. Tim Verbeek
gave the Thunder a 2-0 lead with a power play
goal at 7:24 of the second period on assists
from Jim Dahl and Reddox. Goulet scored his
thirteenth goal of the season at 6:19 of the
third period after Bakersfield had narrowed
the scored to 2-1. Martz and Reddox assited
on Goulet’s goal. Beau Geisler closed
out the scoring for the Thunder with at goal
at 18:29 of the final period on assists from
Brock Radunske and Colin Pepperall. Cam Ellsworth
was outstanding in the nets for the Thunder.
Ellsworth recorded a season-high 44 saves for
the win.
Sunday, March
18
Stockton Thunder 4 - Idaho Steelheads 2
The Thunder clinched their first ever playoff
berth with a 4-2 victory over Idaho in front
of 6,922 fans at the Stockton Arena. Nathan
Martz gave the Thunder the lead in the first
period with a goal with assists from Stephane
Goulet and Liam Reddox. Stockton took control
of the game in the third period with three goals.
Tim Verbeek scored his sixteenth goal of the
season on assists from Jim Dahl and Adam Huxley.
Tim Sestito scored the eventual game-winning
goal on assists from Brian Lee and Tim O’Connell
at 17:55 of the period. Idaho was within one
goal, when they scored with twelve seconds remaining
but Colin Pepperall iced the game with an empty
net goal with six seconds left in the game.
Devan Dubnyk had 32 saves in the net for the
Thunder.
Stockton Thunder Weekly Review
February 18 - February 25
Wednesday, February 21
Stockton Thunder 2 – Bakersfield Condors
1
The Stockton Thunder defeated the Bakersfield
Condors 2-1 in an intense, hard-hitting game
before 4,107 fans at the Stockton Arena. Cam
Ellsworth, who stopped 35 shots, was outstanding
in goal for the Thunder. Tim Sestito scored
the game winning goal 26 seconds into the third
period on assists from Adam Huxley and Tim Verbeek.
Jim Dahl opened the scoring for the Thunder
with a goal at 5:08 of the second period on
an assist from Stephane Goulet. The win snapped
a five-game winless streak for the Thunder.
After the game the Thunder announced that Troy
Bodie, who is second on the team with 21 goals,
was called up to the Hamilton (Ontario) Bulldogs
of the American Hockey League. Earlier in the
day the Thunder signed forward Mathieu Melanson,
son of former NHL goalie Rollie Melanson.
Friday, February 23
Texas Wildcatters 2 - Stockton Thunder 1
Newcomer Mathieu Melanson scored a goal in his
first game in a Thunder uniform but it wasn’t
enough as the Thunder lost another close game
to the Texas Wildcatters. Cam Ellsworth stopped
33 shots in the net for the Thunder. The Stockton
Thunder, along with the ECHL, announced that
it has been selected to host the 2008 ECHL All-Star
game.
Saturday, February 24
Stockton Thunder 2 - Texas Wildcatters 1
Mathieu Melanson scored two first period goals,
giving him three in his first two games with
the Thunder. Devan Dubnyk stopped 37 shots to
earn the victory. The Thunder penalty killer
has been outstanding; the Wildcatters power
play is 0-10 in the last two games.
Sunday, February 25
Stockton Thunder 5 - Texas Wildcatters 4
The Thunder won back-to-back games for the first
time since January 6, by taking two of three
games from the Wildcatters. Mathieu Melanson
scored 51 seconds into the first period, his
fourth goal in three games. Beau Geisler, Jason
Beckett, Jim Dahl, and Mike Lalonde all scored
goals for the Thunder. Lalonde’s 23rd
goal of the season was the game winner after
the Wildcatters had tied the score 4-4. Lalonde
finished the game with one goal and three assists.
Goaltender Devan Dubnyk improved his record
to 15-7-7, stopping 46 shots.
January 28 - February 3
Tuesday, January
30
Stockton Thunder 6 – Phoenix RoadRunners
3
Newcomer Jim Dahl contributed to lead the Thunder
to a victory over Phoenix. Tyler Spurgeon scored
his 13th goal of the season just 29 seconds
into the game. Mike Lalonde scored six seconds
later to set a new Thunder record for the quickest
two-goal stretch. Dahl finished out the first
period scoring by netting his first goal in
a Thunder uniform. Dahl scored his second goal
of the game and 5th of the year to stretch the
Thunder lead to 4-0. Tim Verbeek scored a power
play goal at 7:39 of the third period to give
the Thunder a 5-0 advantage. Phoenix scored
a power play goal at 14:40 and scored just 1:18
later to cut the lead to 5-2. Phoenix pulled
their goalie for an extra attacker which put
them on a 6-on-4 skating advantage with a power
play, but Liam Reddox broke out of the penalty
box to score an empty net goal with 1:54 remaining.
Phoenix scored with 8 seconds left in the game
for a final score of 6-3. Devan Dubuyk made
35 saves to improve his record to 13-5-6. Following
the game Dubuyk and center Tyler Spurgeon were
recalled to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
of the American Hockey League.
Friday, February
2
Bakersfield Condors 3 - Stockton Thunder 2
Bakersfield scored the go-ahead goal at 12:07
of the third period and hung on to defeat the
Thunder before 8,379 fans at the Stockton Arena.
Thunder leading scorer Mike Lalonde scored two
goals giving him 18 goals and 38 points on the
year. Center Nathan Martz had two assists in
a losing effort. Lalonde missed a chance for
a hat trick when he missed on a penalty shot
in the first period. Cam Ellsworth was in the
net for the Thunder.
Saturday, February
3
Fresno Falcons 3 - Stockton Thunder 1
The Falcons defeated the Thunder for the sixth
consecutive time this season before 14,023 at
the Save Mart Center in Fresno. Eric Main scored
his second goal of the season to give the Thunder
a first period lead but Fresno answered with
two second period goals to take the lead for
good. Fresno added their third power play goal
of the game in the third period to finish out
the scoring. Stockton was 0-6 on the power play.
Cam Ellsworth faced 26 shots in the net for
the Thunder.
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