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Baker's 16th goal of the season spoiled by Courchaine's 18 stops

January 14, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Steve Ward collected a pair of assists and Adam Courchaine made 18 saves to help the Alaska Aces send the Stockton Thunder (15-15-4, 34 points) to a 3-1 defeat before 4,426 fans at Sullivan Arena on Friday.

The Thunder dropped the second game of a three game series and will look to respond with a win tomorrow in the final meeting between both teams in Anchorage this season.

Kevin Baker had the lone Thunder goal in the second period and Stockton fell to 0-3-0 in three games against Alaska.

"We gave Alaska a little too much tonight," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "They had a little more jump. Giving them penalties helped establish momentum. We got out of it and Olivier Roy played real well in net. We were able to dictate play in the second period which makes this a tough pill to swallow. We need to come back tomorrow and capitalize on another work day."

In just his second shift of the game, Matt Shasby, signed as a free agent just two hours before faceoff and playing in his first game since 2008-09, buried a cross-ice pass at the left circle from Jacques Lamoureux for a 1-0 Alaska edge at the 5:50 mark of the first period.

Zach Harrison stashed a rebound for his fourth goal of the year at the 6:27 mark of the second period for a 2-0 Aces lead, after Steve Ward's point shot deflected off Jim Dahl's screen at the front of the net and deflected off the post. A scramble ensued and Harrison buried the loose puck.

Just 1:01 later, Baker scored off the rush with a snap shot from the left circle for his 16th goal of the season, helping the Thunder slice the Alaska lead to one goal.

The third period began with the ejection of head coach Matt Thomas, issued with 14 combined penalty minutes from referee Geoff Miller. Included was a pair of delay of game and unsportsmanlike conduct minors, giving Alaska a two man advantage at puck drop.

Wes Goldie capitalized with his 18th goal of the season at the 1:08 mark on a wrist shot from the left circle, extending Alaska's lead to 3-1.

The Thunder responded with a series of key scoring chances on Courchaine, but were unable to bite into the two goal margin.

Roy took the loss with 34 stops.

NOTES: Scratched for the game were Gabriel Levesque (injured reserve), Jason Morgan (injured reserve) and Colten Hayes (two game suspension) ... along with Shasby, Alaska also signed center Jim Dahl (also played for the Thunder in 2006-07) out of retirement, who chipped in with an assist ... Alaska maintained the lead in shots for the game, 37-16.

The Thunder returns to play tomorrow at Sullivan Arena, concluding the three game series against the Alaska Aces at 8:15 p.m. Radio coverage is available at 1280 AM KWSX and online for viewing (pay-per-view video charge) and listening (free of charge) at www.StocktonThunder.com, courtesy of AmericaOne.

A two-time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," 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 sixth consecutive season in 2010-11. Season Tickets for 2011-12 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/.

THREE STARS

1. AK - 21 Steve Ward

2. AK - 1 Adam Courchaine

3. STK - 31 Olivier Roy

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