Aces Trump Thunder in Win

January 19, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska * The weather outside was frightful, and Ryan Gale was anything but delightful, at least in the Stockton Thunder's (6-20-5, 17 points) sense. The Alaska Aces (28-6-3, 59 points) forward notched a hat trick, including his first three goals in an Alaska uniform, part of a 7-1 Thunder loss to the Aces in front of 4,055 at Sullivan Arena on Wednesday.

Alaska began the offensive pace with five unanswered goals, including four in the first period. Mike Scott connected on a one-timer in the slot at the 6:45 mark for a 1-0 Alaska lead, followed by Chris Schmidt's bid from the same spot with 10:26 gone for a 2-0 edge, with the first two goals coming on the power play.

Gale then chipped in with two goals at 13:43 and 16:45 to vault the Aces out to a 4-0 lead.

Scott then scored his second goal of the game with a power play tap-in from the top of the crease, hiking Alaska to a 5-0 lead at the second period's 9:37 mark. The Thunder finally got on the board as Aaron Foster banged in a rebound from the doorstep at the 14:17 mark on the power play, after Aaron MacInnis' point shot was stopped by Alaska goalie Matt Underhill.

Joe Talbot then forced a turnover in the slot and slipped a 15-foot wrister past Thunder netminder Jeff Weber for a 6-1 Alaska lead, coming with two minutes left in the frame.

Gale then closed out the scoring with a wrap-around goal on the left side of the net at the third period's 13:35 mark, stuffing in an attempt past Weber's right pad.

Underhill finished with 22 saves for Alaska, opposed by Weber's 18 stops for Stockton.

The Thunder returns to play on Friday against the Aces, with an 8:15 p.m. (PT) faceoff slated Sullivan Arena. The game can be heard live on the internet (free-of-charge) and is available for viewing at a $6 "pay-per-view" rate at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B-2 Networks.

Thunder season tickets, individual tickets, and mini packages are on-sale now. Individual tickets can be purchased in-person at Stockton Arena's Box Office, online at www.stocktontickets.com, or by phone at (209) 373-1700. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.stocktonthunder.com.



ECHL Stories from January 19, 2006


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