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Thunder draws another crowd over 8,000 for Saturday night game

March 6, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Goaltender Adam Courchaine recorded his third shutout of the season, making 30 saves while veteran Scott Burt had a pair of goals and assist to help the Alaska Aces defeat the Stockton Thunder (29-20-9, 67 points), 5-0, in front of 8,431 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday night.

Tyler Ruegsegger had the game-winning goal in the first period on the first shot, while the Thunder were shut out at home for the first time since Nov. 24.

"It's a disappointing loss that we have to put behind us in a hurry," said head coach Matt Thomas. "We just made too many mistakes, especially on the power play. After it was 3-0, we didn't have any legs to come out of it. This is one you want to forget in a hurry."

Just 14seconds in the first period, Alaska made it 1-0 after winning the opening faceoff and entering Stockton's zone on a two-man rush. Chad Anderson passed the puck to teammate Ruegsegger, who then swiftly buried a shot and put the Aces on the scoreboard.

At 7:00 in the first, the Aces doubled their lead to 2-0 on a play that started when Alaska's Burt dumped it deep in the attacking zone. The puck floated in front of the crease and Wes Goldie wristed a rebound past Bryan Pitton.

Garry Nunn received a minor penalty for slashing at 7:46 that gave the Thunder their first power play of the game. However, it was Alaska who capitalized in the ensuing two minutes by getting a shorthanded goal.

Stockton's mishandling of the puck led to a breakaway with defensemen Dan Ringwald and Kelly Czuy racing to catch up to Burt, who sniped a shot puck past the glove of Pitton and made it 3-0.

Burt struck again in the second period off a turnover, completing a feed by Ruegsegger beneath the right circle to increase Alaska's lead to 4-0

The third period opened with a change in goal for Stockton, to backup goaltender Zane Kalemba who made four saves. With less than three minutes remaining in the game, Alaska executed a 2-on-1 break and boosted the lead to 5-0 when Kory Falite sent a lead pass to Ethan Cox, who perfectly tipped the puck into the left side of the net.

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