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7,050 fans pour into Stockton Arena, Bates comes back with three points

December 30, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - James Bates returned to his former home ice to record a goal, including the game winner, and two assists to help the Las Vegas Wranglers hand the Stockton Thunder (12-10-5, 29 points) a 4-2 defeat before 7,050 fans at Stockton Arena on Wednesday night.

The Thunder, who slipped to 0-5-1 in the last six games and maintained a tie for second place in the Pacific Division, were helped with goals from Bretton Cameron and Jason Pitton, while Las Vegas' additional scoring came from Sean McMonagle, Aaron Power and an empty netter from former Thunder winger Ryan Huddy.

Joe Fallon improved to 5-4-1 in net with the win, making 26 saves and stopping a potential game-tying penalty shot goal to Garet Hunt in the second period.

‚¬Å“We need to find a way to win a hockey game tomorrow, ‚¬Â said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. ‚¬Å“Because tonight - we didn't play well enough to win a hockey game. It's as simple as that. ‚¬Â

Both teams emerged from the first period tied, 1-1. Cameron's second goal in as many games and sixth of the year broke the scoreless tie with 6:22 into the game, sniping a snap shot past Joe Fallon from the left circle.

Just 1:30 later, Sean McMonagle's second goal of the season, from the doorstep tied the score when he converted off Sean Menton's pass from behind the net.

Following simultaneous penalties late in the first issued to Jesse Gimblett (slashing) and Cameron (roughing) out of a scrum, the Wranglers earned a 5-on-3 power-play and converted just 11 seconds into the second period.

Aaron Power's one-timer goal from the high slot boosted Las Vegas to a 2-1 lead, converting Huddy's pass from the right circle.

Bates, who suited up for the Thunder the last two seasons, then pounced on a turnover in front of Garrett Zemlak and buried a quick wrist shot from beneath the hash marks with 14:20 left in the second period, putting the Thunder in a 3-1 hole.

Pitton's goal, breaking an ECHL five-game slump, cut the deficit to 3-2 with 9:10 gone in the period when he collected Anthony Aiello's blocked shot in the slot and slipped a wrist shot past Fallon's blocker.

Fallon then denied Garet Hunt with a chance to tie the game on a penalty shot with 5:58 left. Hunt broke in from the right wing, but his snap shot from between the circles was steered away by Fallon's blocker.

The Thunder outshot Las Vegas, 10-6 in the final period looking for the equalizer, but came up empty on several chances at the goal mouth. Huddy then buried his 13th goal of the season, an empty-netter with a minute left in regulation to seal the game.

Zemlak took the loss with 26 saves.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Jordan Fulton (travel from Kalamazoo), Daryl Marcoux (injured, day to day), Jim McKenzie (injured reserve), Trevor Hunt (injured reserve), Aaron Clarke (healthy) and Tyson Sexsmith (injured reserve) ‚¬Â¦ the Thunder converted on their only power-play and were handed 24 minutes in penalties, compared to two for Las Vegas ‚¬Â¦ the Wranglers went 1-for-7 on the power-play ‚¬Â¦ Thunder owner Brad Rowbotham was in attendance ‚¬Â¦ Stockton fell to 6-5-2 at home ‚¬Â¦ the crowd put the Thunder second in the attendance race (6,126 per game) behind Ontario, trailing by an average of 111 fans as fans were treated to free collectible Thunder wood sticks handed out during the game ‚¬Â¦ the Thunder will stage the same giveaway for Thursday night's game at home.

The Thunder returns to play tomorrow, hosting the Las Vegas Wranglers at Stockton Arena, starting at 7:00 p.m. The game can be heard on radio at 1280 AM KWSX (joined in progress) and viewed live on the internet (pay-per-view video charge) at www.StocktonThunder.com, courtesy of AmericaOne.

A two-time recipient of the ECHL ‚¬Å“Award of Excellence, ‚¬Â Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew over 200,000 fans for the fifth consecutive season in 2009-10. Season Tickets, mini-plans and individual tickets for 2010-11 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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