9,158 fans witness Pitton's first career shutout, Thunder home streak at 8-1-4

Published on January 31, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Goaltender Bryan Pitton earned his first career shutout on 34 saves through overtime, but was outdueled by counterpart Glenn Fisher as the Victoria Salmon Kings escaped with a shootout win, 1-0 over the Stockton Thunder (19-7-7, 45 points) before a crowd of 9,158 at Stockton Arena on Saturday night.

The Thunder, who collected thousands of teddy bears and other stuffed animals that were thrown onto the ice surface immediately following the game's conclusion as part of its annual "Teddy Bear Toss" game, staged a dramatic goaltending duel that went into 16 rounds of a shootout, a Thunder record that finished five rounds off the ECHL record (21, Birmingham at Hampton Roads, 1992-93).

Andy Brandt's backhanded goal put Victoria ahead in the top of the 16th round. Fisher followed with a blocker side stop on Matt Robinson to end the game. The shootout, ending 2-1 to favor Victoria, had both teams trading goals in the third round between the Thunder's Anthony Aiello and counterpart Olivier Latendresse.

Both teams played to a scoreless tie through one period, with the Thunder's best chance coming on a give-and-go play from Anthony Aiello to Igor Gongalsky in the slot, who shot the puck just inches wide of the post.

Bryan Pitton stopped nine Victoria shots, which included a spinning backhander from Olivier Latendresse at the base of the right circle.

Both Pitton and Fisher battled through the scoreless duel by matching each other, save for save as the score remained 0-0. Pitton kept Victoria off board at the midway point of the period when he angled over to the glove side post and denied Wes Goldie's lofted backhander.

The Thunder responded with 11 shots in the third period but missed finding the back of the net and threatened in the last three minutes when Colin Hemingway earned a semi-breakaway, shorthanded down the right wing. His slapshot was knocked away with Fisher's right pad, and the Thunder burned the clock to force overtime.

Victoria outshot the Thunder, 3-0 in overtime and nearly won the game on a Wes Goldie snap shot from the right circle on the first shift, but missed the net and grazed the outside of the twine.

Pitton stopped Wes Goldie twice in the shootout and Fisher responded with two stops on Thunder leading scorer, Colin Hemingway before the 16th round, when Brandt snuck a backhanded deke over Pitton's blocker. Fisher forced Robinson to deke to the forehand for the game's final deciding shot.

The Thunder, who had never won in regulation since 2005-06 before the week's three-game series at home with Victoria, took five of six points out of the West Division's second place Salmon Kings.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Aaron Sorochan (injured reserve), Brett Hemingway (injured reserve), Justin DaCosta (injury, day-to-day) and Craig Valette (injured reserve)... the Thunder moved its record to 4-3-1 in the season series against Victoria and boosted their run to 8-1-4 in the last 13 home games, dating back to Dec. 4... Stockton moved into fourth place, alone in the National Conference after Alaska lost, 5-2 at Ontario... Victoria outshot the Thunder, through overtime at 34-31.

The Thunder finishes the 11-game homestand tomorrow against the Alaska Aces beginning at 4:00 p.m. at Stockton Arena. The game can be heard and viewed online 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/.

-- ALL OUT, ALL SEASON --

THREE STARS:

1. VIC - 35 Glenn Fisher

2. STK - 31 Bryan Pitton

3. VIC - 41 Andy Brandt

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ECHL Stories from January 31, 2010


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