Galbraith's Six Points Ties Utah Single-Game Record; Thunder Drop Second Straight

Published on February 24, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah - Veteran Lance Galbraith had a hat trick and three assists to tie a single-game Utah Grizzlies record with six points, helping send the Stockton Thunder (24-20-8, 56 points) to a 7-1 defeat before 2,348 fans at The E-Center on Wednesday.

The Thunder, who dropped the second straight loss in regulation for the first time since Dec. 18-19 (at Victoria), received its only goal of the game from Matt Robinson. Vladimir Nikiforov, Tony Romano, A.J. Perry and Tom May also scored for Utah.

Nikiforov's snap shot from the right circle found its way past Perugini for a 1-0 Utah lead at 3:28 of the first period, while backup goaltender Beau Erickson shut the Thunder down on 10 saves.

A four-goal blitz helped spot Utah a 5-1 cushion after the second period, capping off a run of four unanswered goals. Galbraith's first goal of the game, a tap-in to a wide open net, put the Grizzlies ahead 2-0 at the 3:27 mark of the second period.

Tony Romano's one-timer in the slot, uncontested, beat Perugini for a 3-0 cushion at 4:34 which eventually spelled the end of the goaltender's night in favor of backup Aaron Sorochan.

The Grizzlies continued to mount an offensive push and A.J. Perry's backhander on the power-play, at the doorstep, hiked the Utah lead to 4-0 with 8:54 left in the period. Robinson finally retaliated for the Thunder and buried his 17th goal of the season at the left goal post on a backdoor pass by Chris D'Alvise, slicing the deficit to 4-1.

Following the expiration of a penalty to the Grizzlies' Galbraith, he jumped out of the box for a 2-on-0 break with Tony Romano and connected on a three-way passing play at the right goal post to bury his second goal of the game for a 5-1 lead.

Galbraith's hat trick at 4:34 of the third period hiked the lead to 6-1 when he finished a one-timer at the left goal post on Romano's feed at the right circle.

Perugini made 11 saves to take the loss, while Sorochan made 17 stops in relief effort.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Steve Vanoosten (injured reserve), Riley Emmerson (injured reserve), Matt O'Dette (injured reserve), Mark Pavli (healthy), Cody Wild (healthy) and Craig Valette (injured reserve) ... Robinson's goal extended his scoring streak to nine straight games ... the Thunder were blanked at an 0-for-4 rate on the power-play and are in the midst of an 0-for-12 slump on the man-advantage ... the Thunder loss extended its winless skid at The E-Center, lifetime, to 0-6-1.

The Thunder returns to play on Friday, continuing the eight-game road trip with the first meeting of the season with the Las Vegas Wranglers at 7:05 p.m. at Orleans Arena. The game can be heard on radio at 1280 AM KWSX and viewed online at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from February 24, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central