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Idaho rallies with two-goal third period

March 1, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Ben Nelson's goal with 9:44 left in the third period broke a 1-1 tie and helped the Idaho Steelheads send the Stockton Thunder (26-26-5, 57 points) to a 3-1 defeat before a crowd of 8,176 at Stockton Arena on Saturday night.

The loss brought an end to the Thunder two-game winning streak, who was supported offensively by Cory Urquhart's 26th goal of the season. Goaltender Bryan Pitton labored through 32 saves, keeping the Thunder in the game despite suffering his seventh straight loss.

Idaho, who snapped their first losing streak since December, were led by Mark Bomersback's goal and assist.

Garrett Bembridge helped Idaho draw first blood with his 17th goal of the season with 1:50 left in the first period when the Steelheads were able to gain speed on the attack through the neutral zone. Bomersback fed Bembridge in the slot, whose snap shot beat Pitton under the crossbar.

Pitton made seven saves in the opening period which included a highlight-reel kick stop on a 2-on-0 shorthanded rush.

Urquhart leveled the score at 1-1 with 9:48 left in the second period after another highlight save by Pitton, enabling the Thunder to break to center ice with speed. Ryan Huddy carried the puck down the right wing and found Urquhart in the slot, who deked around Matt Climie's blocker and beat the goaltender with a forehand shot.

Nelson's goal lifted the Steelheads to a lead they would not relinquish when he pounced on a turnover at the right circle and snapped a shot past Pitton.

The Thunder countered by nearly tying the score on a shorthanded opportunity with less than four minutes remaining, when Sebastien Bisaillon closed in on a loose puck at the left circle after a goal-mouth scramble and missed a backhander into a semi-open net.

Seconds later, Bomersback scored an eventual insurance goal with 1:35 left in the game when he raced behind the defense on a clearing attempt, corralled the puck at the right wing and snuck a snap shot under Pitton's five hole for his 21st goal of the year.

Climie made 20 saves in net for Idaho to help notch the win.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Marc-Andre Bernier (injured reserve) and Jordan Bendfeld (injured reserve), Mike Lalonde (injured reserve) and Cleve Kinley (suspension) ... the Thunder held Idaho to an 0-for-7 clip on the power-play ... Stockton fell to 4-3-1 this season against Idaho and were outshot by the Steelheads 35-21... Dallas Stars goaltending coach Andy Moog, a three-time Stanley Cup winner with the Edmonton Oilers, was in attendance at the game.

The Thunder returns to play at home tomorrow with a rematch against the Idaho Steelheads, starting at 4:00 p.m. at Stockton Arena. The game is available on radio at 1420 KSTN and for viewing online (audio is free-of-charge) for a $7 charge at http://www.stocktonthunder.com/ (courtesy of B2 Networks).

The proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, the Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for three consecutive seasons and drew 239,337 fans to Stockton Arena in 2007-08. Season, group, individual tickets and mini plan packages 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/.

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