Barlow's two goals sends Thunder to first home loss in regulation since October 23

Published on November 15, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Evan Barlow scored twice and the Idaho Steelheads broke a 2-2 tie with goals in the last minute of the second period and in the first minute of the third period to edge the Thunder, 4-2 before a crowd of 5,716 at Stockton Arena on Friday night.

The loss, which was the first at home in regulation for the Thunder since Oct. 23, extends their winless skid to 0-2-3 in the last five games, cemented a game where the Thunder missed two of their top three scorers in Oren Eizenman (automatic one-game suspension) and James Bates (on AHL recall to Springfield).

Judd Blackwater and Jason Pitton (1g-1a) scored each for Stockton, while Barlow's efforts were spelled on Idaho goals from Kevin DeVirgilio and Trevor Ludwig.

Barlow opened the scoring at the 3:58 mark with his sixth goal of the year, finishing Brandon Kushniruk's spinning backhanded centering pass from the left corner.

DeVirgilio lifted the Steelheads to a 2-0 cushion just 12 seconds into the second period but the Thunder quickly responded with Blackwater's seventh goal of the year at 7:43, cutting the deficit in half when he converted Jason Pitton's centering pass from between the hash marks with a one-timer.

Pitton leveled the score at 2-2 when he stuffed a rebound to the back of the net at the doorstep, after Rejean Beauchemin denied Steve Vanoosten's drive from the left point.

Barlow's second goal of the game restored the Steelhead lead to 3-2 on the power-play when he converted off a rebound at the doorstep following Andrew Perugini's save on Weston Tardy's right point shot.

Ludwig bumped the lead to two goals for Idaho just 33 seconds into the third period, taking John Swanson's pass at the left point and threading a shot through traffic that hit a skate and caromed past the blocker side of Perugini.

Idaho's conservative and physical style limited the Thunder to just seven shots in the third period and 19 for the game, preserving the win for Beauchemin, who improved to 4-0-0 through four games.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Matt O'Dette (injured reserve), Igor Gongalsky (injured reserve), Jordan Bendfeld (injured reserve), Oren Eizenman (suspension) and Kelly Czuy (injured reserve)... the Thunder fell to 16-19-3 lifetime against Idaho... the Thunder power-play was limited to just three chances and shut out for the first time since Nov. 4 at Ontario (four-game scoring streak on the power-play)... Garet Hunt and former teammate Adam Huxley dropped the gloves at the first period's 2:33 mark.

The Thunder finishes the three-game series against the Idaho Steelheads tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. at Stockton Arena. The game can be heard and viewed online at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season Tickets for 2009-10 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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