Bachman's 26 saves aides Huxley's shootout winner

Published on November 14, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Goaltender Richard Bachman made 26 saves to outduel counterpart Andrew Perugini and stopped three of four shots in a shootout to help the Idaho Steelheads send to the Stockton Thunder (4-5-3, 11 points) to a 2-1 shootout loss before 5,101 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday night.

An unlikely hero, Adam Huxley, who scored just 13 goals in three seasons with the Stockton Thunder from 2006-09, put the game away with a shootout goal in the top of the fifth round in his first return to Stockton Arena since last season, to spell Idaho shootout markers from Evan Barlow and Tyler Spurgeon. Perugini made 26 saves to help force overtime.

The Thunder, who moved to a 4-1-3 unbeaten run in regulation in the last eight games, received a goal from Oren Eizenman in the first period for the 100th point of his professional career and Idaho received it's only tally from Michael Neal in the second period.

Eizenman put the Thunder ahead 1-0 with his third goal of the season on the power-play with 6:43 into the game, taking a centering pass from the mid-slot and burying a one-timer past Bachman.

Within a heavily penalized period, the lead was solidified when Thunder goaltender Andrew Perugini snagged Marty Flichel's one-timer from the mid slot late in the frame.

Neal leveled the score at 1-1 with 3:43 gone in the second period, floating a 50-foot fluttering shot from the right wing boards that found the back of the net from under the crossbar.

After a scoreless third period, the Thunder threatened with several chances in the sudden-death overtime period Bachman's heroics kept the game alive. Among his stops were a point-blank kick save on Mike Bayrack's one-timer from inside of the left circle and a follow up wrist shot from Judd Blackwater at the right circle which was stopped by Bachman's glove.

Barlow and Spurgeon's shootout goals in the second and third round of the shootout, respectively, were answered by Blackwater's goal in the bottom of the third round. Bachman's stop on Bayrack in the fourth round was followed up by Huxley's winner from beneath the hash marks.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Matt O'Dette (injured reserve), Colin Power (injured reserve), Bobby Davey (healthy) and Kelly Czuy (injured reserve) ... the Thunder moved to 0-2 in shootouts this season and 16-18-3 lifetime against Idaho ... Colton Yellow Horn's assist on Eizenman's power-play goal gave him a six-game scoring streak since being acquired in a trade with Elmira in October ... the Thunder went 1-for-5 on the power-play.

The Thunder returns to play at home tomorrow with a rematch against the Idaho Steelheads at 7:30 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.

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