Bachman's 20 Saves Helps Idaho Sweep Thunder In Three-Game Series

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


STOCKTON, Calif. - Rookie goaltender Richard Bachman claimed his third win of the year against the Stockton Thunder (4-7-3, 11 points) with 20 saves in net, helping the Idaho Steelheads edge the Thunder, 3-1 before 5,359 fans at Stockton Arena on Sunday night.

Idaho, who swept the three-game weekend series and extended their record to 5-0 over the Thunder this year, got a game-winning goal from Evan Barlow (1g-1a) in the second period to improve to 11-2-1 overall (23 points) and surpass the Elmira Jackals' 22 points for the league's top record. Garet Hunt scored the only Thunder goal in the third period, whose winless skid reached an 0-3-3 mark.

Through three games, Bachman extended his record to 3-0-0 against Stockton.

Steelheads forward Kevin DeVirgilio broke the scoreless tie with his fifth goal of the year at the 3:50 mark of the first period, cleaning up a rebound at the doorstep and slipping the puck over Bryan Pitton's stick with the goaltender down amidst a loose puck scrum.

Barlow extended the Steelheads lead to 2-0 with his eighth goal of the year on the power-play with 9:25 left in the second period, cleaning up a rebound at the left circle following Mike Stuart's point shot.

Bachman made 11 saves in the second period to keep the Thunder off the board, following a first period where he and the Idaho stunted a 5-on-3 power-play for Stockton that lasted 1:35.

Hunt's goal came with 11:37 remaining in regulation to slice the Idaho lead in half when he crashed the net and put a rebound past Bachman's stick side, after the goaltender stopped a right point shot by Riley Emmerson.

The Thunder power-play, leading the league at a 26% conversion entering the game, had two more threatening chances to level the score late but Idaho's pressure on the penalty kill helped sustain their lead. With less than nine minutes left, Bachman's right pad denied a point-blank one-timer by defenseman Steve Vanoosten at the left post.

Following the Steelheads neutralizing a Thunder power-play after a delay-of-game penalty on Matt Sorteberg for clearing the puck over the defensive zone glass, Adam Huxley's first goal of the year wrapped up the game with a empty-net goal from the blueline with 42 seconds left in regulation, putting Idaho up by two goals.

Bryan Pitton's record in net fell to 1-4-1 despite making 29 saves.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Matt O'Dette (injured reserve), Igor Gongalsky (injured reserve), Jordan Bendfeld (injured reserve), Bobby Davey (healthy) and Kelly Czuy (injured reserve)... the Thunder fell to 16-20-3 lifetime against Idaho and were outshot 32-21.

The Thunder returns to play on Friday, November 20 against the Ontario Reign to begin two consecutive road games at Citizens Business Bank Arena, with Friday's game beginning at 7:30 p.m. 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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ECHL Stories from November 15, 2009


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