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Utah Capitalizes on Two-Goal Third Period Rally, Huddy Buries Two More

December 12, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


EST VALLEY CITY, Utah - The Utah Grizzlies rallied for two goals in a span of 1:08 in the third period and goaltender Michael Mole made 38 saves to help send the Stockton Thunder (8-11-4, 20 points) to a 4-2 defeat, in front of 3,715 at The E-Center on Friday.

James Sixsmith registered a game-high three assists while Ryan Kinasewich tallied two points (1g-1a) for Utah. The Thunder received a two-goal effort from Ryan Huddy in his first game back from the American Hockey League.

Utah jumped ahead 2-1 after one period of play, beginning with Andy Sertich's game-opening power-play goal at 7:15 on a slapshot from the left point. The Thunder countered with Ryan Huddy's team-leading ninth of the season with 8:47 remaining, converting a centering pass by Justin Chwedoruk with a wrist shot that beat Michael Mole over the blocker.

Ryan Kinasewich's fourth goal of the year restored Utah's one-goal lead at 17:12 on a delayed penalty, when he took Scott Thauwald's pass between the hash marks and beat Thunder goaltender Bryan Pitton under the glove.

Huddy buried his second goal of the game on the power-play, his 10th overall this season at 12:04 of the second period to knot the score at 2-2. Huddy took Cleve Kinley's set-up at the right circle and rifled a snap shot past Mole.

Tim Maxwell converted the eventual game-winning goal at 5:37 of the third period, drilling a slapshot from the blueline that beat Pitton through traffic. Just 1:08 later, Vladimir Nikifirov re-directed James Sanford's slapshot from the left point past Pitton for a power-play goal, staking Utah to a 4-2 lead they would not relinquish.

Michael Mole finished the period with nine saves and averted the final Thunder power-play in the waning minutes of the game, with Pitton pulled for a 6-on-4 skating situation. Pitton made 32 saves and fell to 4-7-2.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Marc-Andre Bernier (injured reserve), Ryan MacMurchy (injury, day-to-day) and Jordan Bendfeld (injured reserve) ... the Thunder moved to 9-11-3 in the lifetime series against Utah ... Huddy's multi-goal game was the second of his ECHL career and now has points in 10 of his last 11 games ... the Thunder have scored power-play goals in six of their last seven games.

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