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Milner Stops 43, But Thunder Lose 2-1

March 20, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


The Stockton Thunder (28-25-0-6) suffered their third straight loss Wednesday night, as they fell on the road to the Utah Grizzlies (31-21-3-5), 2-1 at the Maverik Center. It was the Thunder's third loss in their last four games against Utah.

Rookie goaltender Parker Milner made 43 saves for the Thunder in the losing effort, the second-most saves in a game by a Thunder goalie this season. Milner also has the top mark of 45 saves made against Ontario on November 15th.

"I thought he [Milner] was really good late in the game," Head Coach Rich Kromm said. "In the third period he made some saves when we got sloppy in front of him. He was really good when we needed him, when it looked like we were getting tired. We threw the puck out blind a couple of times and they got some opportunities."

Forward Ryan Hayes scored the lone Thunder goal with a powerplay tally in the second period. It was the Syracuse, NY native's sixth goal in six games against the Grizzlies.

Danick Paquette gave Utah they early lead as he finished off a two-on-one break with David Vallorani just 1:20 into the first period. A turnover in the neutral zone led to the odd-man rush and Paquette was able to sneak the shot in on the short side between the post, and Milner's blocker. It was Paquette's 15th goal of the season.

However, that was the only puck that would get past Milner in the period as the 23-year-old rookie made 16 stops in the frame to keep his team in it. Joey Diamond nearly had a dream start in his first game with the Thunder as he kept the puck in the zone and cut in on goal at the left circle. His shot beat Utah's Igor Bobkov on the short side, but bounced off the post and out.

The Thunder went into the locker room being outshot 17-6 after twenty minutes. Things didn't get much better in the second period as the Grizzlies put 16 more shots on goal to the Thunder's eight.

Milner held down the fort with a string of great saves. His best one came with 3:14 remaining in the second when Utah's David Vallorani was awarded a penalty shot when he was tripped up on a breakaway. Milner stuck with him on the one-on-one chance and made a stick save to keep the score 1-0.

The Thunder rewarded their goaltender's heroics as they tied the game on a late power play. Hayes rushed into the zone down the right wing and blasted a slap shot past Bobkov's glove hand with 1:50 remaining in the period. Hayes now has eight points in seven games since his return from injury. Sean Escobedo and Alan Quine had the assists on the play, the latter picking up his first point in a Thunder uniform.

In the third period, Utah retook the lead during a stretch of four-on-four play. Paquette returned the favor to Vallorani as he set-up the Hamilton, ON native for a one-timer that caught a piece of Milner's glove on the way in for a 2-1 Utah lead, 6:31 into the frame.

The Thunder unleashed a salvo of shots late in the game, with the best chances coming with Milner on the bench for an extra attacker. Bobkov made a couple of saves and the defense made some key clears as Utah held on for the victory. Utah finished the game outshooting the Thunder 45-22.

"We didn't look like a team that had a lot of energy tonight," Kromm said. "We looked like were struggling to get our legs moving, Obviously we need to bounce back, regroup this weekend against Alaska."

The Thunder return to action this weekend with two games against the Alaska Aces on Saturday and Sunday at Stockton Arena. The Thunder will be wearing their "Rough & Ready Islanders" jerseys for the only time at home this season on Saturday night. The jerseys will be auctioned off through a live post-game auction, silent auction and online auction. The first 1,000 fans entering Stockton Arena will receive a free Thor mini-bobblehead featuring the "Rough & Ready Islanders" jersey. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. PST.

The Thunder ask that fans traveling southbound on Interstate-5 give themselves extra time to get to the arena, as the West Fremont Street off-ramp will be closed for roadwork during the weekend. Fans can detour through the Monte Diablo off-ramp to get to Fremont Street. For more information visit StocktonThunder.com.

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