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Climie stops 34 shots, Thunder drop first road regulation loss in seven games

November 22, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


BOISE, Idaho - Rookie goaltender Matt Climie made a season-high 34 saves to snap a three-game winless skid and help the Idaho Steelheads send the Stockton Thunder (6-7-3, 15 points) to a 3-1 defeat, before an announced crowd of 4,064 at Qwest Arena on Saturday.

Thunder goaltender Bryan Pitton made 34 saves and received his lone share of offensive support on a first period goal by Justin Chwedoruk. Idaho received a game-winning goal from Steve Gainey in the second period. The Thunder loss marked their first defeat in regulation on the road in seven games away from Stockton Arena.

Chwedoruk scored his fifth goal of the season at 8:53 of the first period to stake the Thunder to a 1-0 lead, cleaning up a third-chance rebound between the hash marks past the blocker of Climie. Rookie Garet Hunt picked up an assist on the play, who produced the rebound with a wrist shot from the right circle.

Pitton kept the Steelheads at bay with 14 saves in the first period, helping thwart four Idaho power-play opportunities.

Brent Shepheard tied the game at 1-1 with 8:51 gone in the second period when he converted an open-net opportunity after Pitton denied Matt McKnight's bid from the left circle. Following a series of Climie stops on a 5-on-3 Thunder power-play, Idaho capitalized on the momentum with Steve Gainey's breakaway goal - his eighth of the season - with 2:19 left in the second period.

Matt Stephenson tacked on an insurance goal at 7:51 of the third period when his second-chance shot at the right circle deflected off Pitton and into the back of the net. Marty Flichel and Mark Bomersback picked up assists on the play.

The Thunder had five minutes of power-play time to work with in the final frame and cut into the Idaho lead, including a 5-on-3 power-play for over 1:30. A series of saves by Climie, who had allowed 8 goals in 34 combined shots for his last two games, helped preserve the lead and the victory, which was the first for Idaho in regulation at Qwest Arena this year.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Mike Lalonde (injury, day-to-day), David Rohlfs (injured reserve), Marc-Andre Bernier (injured reserve) and Toby LaFrance (injured reserve) ... both teams finished even in shots on goal at 35-35 ... the Thunder held Idaho's power-play to an 0-for-7 clip.

The Thunder return to play at home on Wednesday, Nov. 26 against the Ontario Reign starting at 7:00 p.m. at Stockton Arena. The game is available for listening and viewing exclusively on the internet for a $7 charge (audio-only portion is free-of-charge) at http://www.stocktonthunder.com/ (courtesy of B2 Networks).

The proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, the Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for three consecutive seasons and drew 239,337 fans to Stockton Arena in 2007-08. Season, group, individual tickets and mini plan packages 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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