6,473 fans witness Thunder clinch tiebreaker for Kelly Cup Playoff berth

Published on March 29, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Veteran Craig Valette snapped a 1-1 tie with the eventual game-winning goal with 3:18 left in regulation, lifting the Stockton Thunder (32-31-7, 71 points) to a 3-1 victory over the Las Vegas Wranglers and the team's third straight Kelly Cup Playoff berth before 6,473 fans at Stockton Arena on Sunday.

The Thunder, who clinched a tie for a spot with 71 points but earned the spot by virtue of a tiebreaker with Phoenix in head-to-head points, were aided by a Ryan Huddy goal in the second period and James Bates' empty-net goal late in the game. Andrew Perugini made 24 saves while Las Vegas' Dan Riedel scored in the second period.

The Thunder surpassed the 223,000 mark in total attendance and is vying to lead the ECHL in attendance for the fourth straight season, finishing the 2008-09 home record at 16-18-2.

Riedel snapped a scoreless tie by re-directing Jon Schwarz's wrist shot from the blueline past the glove of Perugini to put the Wranglers ahead 1-0 with 4:39 left in the first.

Huddy knotted the score with his 35th goal of the season on a 5-on-3 power-play with 6:53 left in the second period, when he took Judd Blackwater's pass at the right circle and rifled a wrist shot under the crossbar.

Perugini and DeCaro battled with a series of point-blank saves into the third period and before Valette put the Thunder ahead, the Wranglers Adam Miller missed on a breakaway and Perugini followed with a save on a John Schwarz slapshot from the blueline.

The Thunder cleared the zone and with the crowd on its feet, Valette buried a wrist shot from the right circle on a 2-on-1 break with 3:18 left for his eighth goal of the season to put the Thunder ahead 2-1, sending the Stockton Arena crowd into delirium.

Bates' empty net goal, his 16th of the season, sealed the win with 24.2 seconds left on a wrist shot inside of the blueline.

DeCaro made 24 saves for Las Vegas, who end the regular season road record at 12-19-6.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Marc-Andre Bernier (injured reserve), Jordan Bendfeld (injured reserve) and Ryan MacMurchy (injured reserve) ... the Thunder outshot Las Vegas 13-5 in the third period and outshot the Wranglers 27-25 for the game ... Stockton finished 1-for-6 on the power-play and is now 3-1-0 against the Wranglers this season ... the Thunder honored its player with its postseason awards at the conclusion of the game to Andrew Perugini (Rookie of the Year), Ryan Huddy (Offensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player), Daryl Marcoux (Defensive Player of the Year), Mark Adamek (Unsung Hero) and Garet Hunt and Adam Huxley (co-recipients, Fan Favorite).

The Thunder returns to play Friday, visiting the Las Vegas Wranglers 7:30 p.m. from Orleans Arena. The game is available on radio at 1420 KSTN and online 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 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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