Huddy pours in two goals, including winner 1:19 into sudden-death OT

Published on January 4, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - National Conference All-Star selection Ryan Huddy scored two goals, including the game-winner at 1:19 of sudden death overtime to stave off a last-minute rally by the Alaska Aces and lift the Stockton Thunder (12-17-5, 29 points) to a 2-1 OT win before 4,490 at Sullivan Arena on Saturday.

The Thunder, who took five of a possible six points in the three-game series in Anchorage, improved to 2-0-1 since Matt Thomas took over as new Head Coach and were aided in net by goaltender Bryan Pitton's 17 saves. Tomas Kana's extra attacker goal forced overtime with 13 seconds left in regulation.

The Thunder drew first blood for a power-play goal and a 1-0 lead just 2:10 into the game on Ryan Huddy's team-leading 15th goal of the season, taking a centering feed by Cleve Kinley at the right circle and rifling a one-timer under the crossbar.

Alaska outshot the Thunder 7-5 in the opening period but were stifled Stockton's defense, combined with four trips to the penalty box. Pitton stopped all seven Alaska shots through 20 minutes.

Both teams battled through a scoreless second period tie as the Thunder had six power-play attempts and outshot the Aces 8-5. Schwarz kept the Thunder at bay with eight saves in the second period.

Both teams endured a further defensively tightened third period and the Thunder had a chance to put the Aces away with an empty net goal, but Huddy's attempt from the right wing was denied by a diving Matt Shasby, who kicked the puck away at the circle.

Alaska's Tomas Kana capitalized on the clutch block by Shasby and followed just seconds later by taking a Colin Hemingway feed from the mid-slot and blasting a one-timer past Pitton for his fourth goal of the year, leveling the score at 1-1 with 13 seconds left and sending Sullivan Arena into delirium.

The Thunder weathered the Aces rally by working the puck into the offensive zone with a minute gone into overtime and its first attempt went awry on a Cory Urquhart drive from the right circle, which was blocked by the Aces defense and caromed behind the net.

Defenseman Nick Tuzzolino then fumbled the puck and turned it over into the slot, where Huddy pounced on it and zipped a wrist shot through Schwarz's five-hole to bury the Aces at 1:19 of sudden-death overtime.

The Thunder outshot the Aces for the third consecutive game at a 23-18 clip, winning their fourth game in the last six tries at Sullivan Arena.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Marc-Andre Bernier (injured reserve), Ryan MacMurchy (injured reserve), Jordan Bendfeld (injured reserve), Mike Salekin (injured reserve), Matt O'Dette (injured reserve), Mike Lalonde (injured reserve), David Rohlfs (injured reserve) and Milan Maslonka (healthy) ... both teams engaged in a pre-game verbal altercation at the center ice red line but no punches were thrown ... the Thunder improved to 9-14-4 lifetime against the Aces and are now 3-0-1 in the season series, guaranteed a series win with just two games to play ... Huddy's multi-goal game was his fourth of the season.

The Thunder returns to play for its next game on Tuesday, Jan. 6 against Phoenix RoadRunners at 6:05 p.m. from U.S. Airways Center, continuing a five-game road trip. The game is available on radio at 1420 KSTN and online (audio is free-of-charge) for viewing for a $7 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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