Courchaine helps Alaska claim series opener with 29 save shutout

Published on January 13, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Goaltender Adam Courchaine collected his second shutout of the season with 29 saves, helping the Alaska Aces send the Stockton Thunder (15-14-4, 34 points) to a 3-0 defeat before 3,045 fans at Sullivan Arena on Thursday night.

The Thunder saw its 3-0-1 run come to an end in the opener of a three game series in Anchorage, despite outshooting Alaska 29-23 in the game.

Brian Miller and Dan Kissel each chipped in with two assists to lead Alaska's offense.

The Thunder owned a 10-8 edge in shots for the first period but surrendered the game's first goal, scored by Jordan Kremyr with 8:42 left in the first period. He raced off Alaska's bench towards the net following a line change and slipped a rebound through Olivier Roy's five hole after a stop on Chad Anderson.

Adam Courchaine stopped all 10 shots faced in the first period, including a pair of Ryan Martindale snap shots from between the circles.

Nick Mazzolini's slap shot from the mid slot lifted the Aces to a 2-0 lead on a power play goal just 28 seconds into the second period.

The Thunder continued to press and nearly caught its first break on a Jordan Fulton re direction at the Aces net. He caught Courchaine moving off the right post, but put the shot wide of the net.

Steve Ward's power play with 9:52 left in the third put Alaska ahead, 3-0 on a one timer from the left circle.

Roy took the loss with 20 saves in net.

NOTES: Scratched for the game were Gabriel Levesque (injured reserve), Jason Morgan (injured reserve) and Colten Hayes (two game suspension) ... Brian Swanson did not return to the game after absorbing a check from Garet Hunt in the first period, leaving Alaska with only 13 available skaters ... the Thunder were kept to an 0-of-4 clip on the power play ... Stockton fell to 21-22-14 in the lifetime series.

The Thunder returns to play tomorrow at Sullivan Arena, visiting 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 - 1 Adam Courchaine

2. AK - 15 Bryan Miller

3. AK - 46 Dan Kissel

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ECHL Stories from January 13, 2012


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