8,518 fans enjoy Eizenman's game-winning goal, Perugini's 43 stops

Published on March 21, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Oren Eizenman snapped a 3-3 tie on a power-play goal with 16:11 remaining in regulation, helping lift the Stockton Thunder (30-25-9, 69 points) to a 4-3 victory over the Utah Grizzlies before 8,518 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday night.

The win, avenging a four-goal setback from the previous night to Utah, boosted the Thunder into a tie for fourth place in the National Conference with Las Vegas, who lost 3-2 to Alaska. Stockton, who reached the 30-win plateau for the third time in team history, were aided by goals from Brett Hemingway, Chris D'Alvise and James Bates.

Goaltender Andrew Perugini, who also reached the 20-win mark (20-13-4) for the second straight season, made 43 saves including 34 in the final two periods.

The Thunder, who improved to 13-4-4 in the last 20 home games, raced out to a 3-1 lead after one period, beginning on Brett Hemingway's seventh goal of the season with 3:07 elapsed, when his screen in front caught a piece of Colin Hemingway's blast from the left circle.

James Sixsmith rifled a wrist shot from the left circle under the crossbar to level the score at 1-1 with 4:06 left in the period, but the Thunder came right back just 45 seconds later on Bates' 24th goal of the season to restore the lead at 2-1, tapping in a rebound behind Mitch O'Keefe after D'Alvise was stopped on a wrist shot at the right wing.

D'Alvise finished off a furious Thunder scramble for a loose puck and converted Colin Hemingway's centering pass with a forehand deke under the cross bar with 52.2 seconds left, putting Stockton ahead 3-1.

A pair of goals by Utah sparked a comeback in the second to tie the game at 3-3 in a physical and at times, emotional middle frame, including a scrap involving Kelly Czuy and Malcolm MacMillan. Seconds after a faceoff win on a Utah power-play, Ryan Kinasewich's blast from the high slot cut the deficit to 3-2 with 8:13 left.

Brian Kilburg snuck a wrist shot past Perugini at the right circle to knot the score at 3-3 with 2:07 left in the second.

Eizenman's go-ahead and eventual game-winning goal on the power-play restored the Thunder lead to 4-3 when he converted Justin DaCosta's pass from the high-slot, deked O'Keefe to the glove side and stuffed a backhander into an open net for his 20th goal of the year.

From that point on, Stockton and Utah traded scoring chances in a physical battle that ultimately claimed Utah's Lance Galbraith, who earned a five-minute spearing penalty and game misconduct for contact with Garet Hunt.

The Thunder held Utah at-bay in the final minute of play on a 6-on-5 skating situation which included a stop by Perugini at the crease on A.J. Perry.

O'Keefe absorbed the loss with 39 saves.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched J.F. Caudron (injured reserve), Igor Gongalsky (injured, day-to-day), Matt O'Dette (healthy) and Craig Valette (injured reserve)... Colin Hemingway picked up three assists in the game and a +2 rating while wearing the acting captain's "C" in the absence of Caudron and Valette... Eizenman's goal gave the Thunder five different 20-goal scorers (Eizenman, Colin Hemingway, Matt Robinson, D'Alvise and Bates) for the first time in club history... Stockton converted at 2-for-6 on the power-play... Edmonton Oilers assistant general manager Kevin Prendergast was in attendance at the game.

The Thunder continues the seven-game homestand tomorrow at 4:00 p.m., hosting the Utah Grizzlies at Stockton Arena in a weekend finale. The game can be heard and viewed online exclusively 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/.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from March 21, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central