03/07/2008 11:01 PM -

Tom Zanoski leaps over a hurdle of bodies in the crease, moments after his game-tying goal in the third period. (photo by George Steckler)

---

A LEAP OF FAITH
Zanoski's two-goal effort leads third period comeback victory

STATS: Box score
AUDIO: Tom Zanoski's power-play goal ties the game in the 3rd period
AUDIO: Tom Zanoski's game-winning goal late in the game
AUDIO: Glenn Fisher stops Idaho's Lance Galbraith on a penalty shot

STOCKTON, Calif. - Rookie Tom Zanoski's second goal of the game broke a 2-2 tie with 4:54 left in regulation and lifted the Stockton Thunder (24-32-3, 51 points) to a 3-2 comeback victory over the Idaho Steelheads before a crowd of 7,810 at Stockton Arena on Friday night.

Zanoski's goal, completing the first multi-goal effort of his career, capped the fourth successful come-from-behind effort for the Thunder this season when trailing after two periods. Additionally, two comeback attempts have come against the Steelheads.

The first goal came on a clean wrist shot by Idaho forward Taggart Desmet, assisted by Andrew Martin and Jeremy Scherlinck, his 25^th goal of the season just 1:55 into the game. Martin set-up Desmet, Idaho's leading goal-scorer, in the slot who beat Thunder goaltender Glenn Fisher with a backhanded bid past the blocker side.

Desmet struck again in the first period with 50.9 seconds remaining, assisted by Andrew Martin and Matt Craig for  his 26th goal of the season and Idaho's only power-play goal of the game. Craig fed Martin at the base of the right circle, who flung a sharp-angle wrist shot that caromed off traffic and toward Desmet in the slot. Desmet forced Fisher down to the ice with a backhand deke and slid a shot into the semi-open net.

The Thunder began their comeback efforts with two separate two-man advantages but failed to score, highlighted by point-blank save that Idaho goaltender Kellen Briggs produced on a rebound bid by Geoff Paukovich at the top of the crease. Defenseman Phil Cole then took a four-minute, double-minor penalty for high-sticking that sent the Steelheads onto a power-play with a two-goal cushion in-hand.

However, it was the 12^th shorthanded goal of the season for the Thunder that ignited the comeback when veteran Tim Verbeek buried his fourth of the season with 7.8 seconds remaining in the second period to help Stockton close the deficit to 2-1. Verbeek led a 3-on-2 rush with the clock ticking down and zipped a sharp-angled shot from the left circle that Briggs kicked out into the slot. A rebound attempt by Paukovich produced a third-chance bid for Verbeek, who nestled the puck in the deep slot with a screen and roofed a shot under the crossbar.

Stockton tied the game at 2-2 at the 9:16 mark of the third period on a power-play goal, Zanoski's first goal of the game, that followed a lengthy delay that had officials pre-occupied at Idaho's bench. The Thunder followed by winning the ensuing end-zone faceoff that produced a Joel Stepp pass from the right corner to Lance Monych, who had a one-timed shot stopped at point-blank range. Zanoski cleaned up the rebound and stuffed a forehand shot past the diving glove of Briggs in the deep slot.

Zanoski then sent the Stockton Arena crowd into a frenzy with the eventual game-winner with 4:54 left, taking a drop-pass from Schwartz at the right circle and sniping a snap shot under the glove of Briggs.

Idaho had one last-ditch effort on a penalty shot by veteran Lance Galbraith with 3:59 to go, who was denied by Fisher on a right-pad save.

Fisher ended the game with 31 saves to preserve the Thunder win.

NOTES: The Thunder missed the services of Ryan MacMurchy (injured reserve), Beau Geisler (injured reserve) and Tyler Hirsch (travel) ... before the game, defenseman Ryan Geris was transferred from the three-day to 30-day injured reserve list ... Fisher's penalty-shot save was the first in his career ... Zanoski's power-play goal ended a 1-for-54 drought for the Thunder on the man-advantage, who went 1-for-6 in the game ... the Thunder improved to 3-2-0 in the season series against Idaho and 10-9-1 in the all-time matchup.

The Thunder heads into a six-day period of rest before resuming play on Friday, March 14 against the Fresno Falcons, beginning at 7:30 p.m. from Stockton Arena. The game can be heard live on radio at 1420-AM KSTN (potentially joined in progress) and online (video and audio available) at http://www.stocktonthunder.com/, courtesy of B2 Networks. 

The Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for two consecutive seasons and drew 244,085 fans to the 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.


THREE STARS:
1. STK - 23 Tom Zanoski
2. STK - 28 Glenn Fisher
3. IDH - 9 Taggart Desmet