From the jaws of defeat

Published on February 2, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


Stockton, Calif. - Maris Ziedins' game-winning overtime goal from a tip near the crease enabled the Stockton Thunder (8-22-7, 23 points) to push their unbeaten to a season-high four games, with a 4-3 overtime win against the Utah Grizzlies (22-18-4, 48 points) in front of 3,436 at Stockton Arena Wednesday night.

The Thunder also snapped a 12-game home winless stretch, clinching its first home win since a 4-0 blanking of Phoenix on December 10, the home opener at Stockton Arena.

Aaron MacInnis got the Thunder an early lead when Joel Irwin and Kevin Gardner assisted on a power play goal at 9:12 into the game, when MacInnis ripped a one-timer from the blueline. The Grizzlies' Jeff Miles tied the game 1-1 at 17:26.

Joel Irwin got the lead back for the Thunder at 4:29 in the second at 2-1, finishing off a breakaway with a nifty wrist shot just under the crossbar, slipping past two defenders across the blueline. Utah came back again to knot the game 2-2 on a Ryan Kinasewich power play goal at 13:21, snapping a one-timer from the right circle.

Utah took their first lead of the game at 3-2 when Miles scored his second goal of the game at 5:13 into the third period, finishing a series of frantic puck movement with a wrist shot from the left circle.

Now in desperation mode, Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki burned a timeout and pulled goaltender Jake Moreland for an extra skater. The tactic paid off. Joel Irwin scored his second goal and third point of the night in front of the goal on a rebound of a Ziedins shot, with an assist also going to Mike Lalonde, with just 1:04 remaining.

Carrying into overtime, Steve Slonina set up Dave McCulloch for a point-shot, which was tipped in by Ziedins for the game winning goal with 5.9 seconds left.

Irwin continued his torrid pace as he picked up his tenth point in his last seven games. Jake Moreland, last week's ECHL Goaltender of the Week had another strong showing with 29 saves.

The Thunder returns to play on Friday with a 7:30 p.m. PT face-off at Stockton Arena against the Alaska Aces. 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 Ticket 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.

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ECHL Stories from February 2, 2006


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