Martindale nets first of the season as Coleman, Crabb push Aces by Thunder

Published on January 5, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Returning to Stockton Arena for the first time in 2013, the Stockton Thunder (18-11-7, 43 points) had a late rally stopped by the Alaska Aces (27-8-0, 54 points), who grabbed a 3-1 win in front of 4,207 fans on Friday.

Center Ryan Martindale collected his first goal of the season for the Thunder after being reassigned from the AHL's Oklahoma City Barons last month. Goaltender Cody Reichard made 19 saves for the Thunder, while Alaska's Gerald Coleman stopped 37 shots.

"I think our team was just trying to give them everything we had," Martindale said afterwards. "They're a tough opponent. I think we really started bringing it to them in the last couple periods. In the last period, we created a lot of opportunities and we almost mounted a comeback. We had a couple prime scoring chances. It was just unfortunate that they didn't go in."

Alaska got on the board late in the first period when Reichard's clearance was intercepted by Joey Crabb. Crabb's slap shot from the left circle deflected off Reichard's stick and into the goal, putting the Aces up 1-0 17:44 into the first period.

After a scoreless second period, the Aces lead was doubled just 4:37 into the third period. Stealing the puck in the Thunder defensive zone, Brandon Dubinsky sent a pass across goal to Scott Gomez, who tucked it by Reichard's glove and into the net, putting the Thunder in a 2-0 hole.

The Thunder cut the lead in half on a four-on-three opportunity. Working the puck around the Alaska defense, forward Toni Rajala found Martindale as he cut towards goal near the right post. Martindale's shot bounced off Coleman's glove, but he pounced on the rebound, stashing the puck by Coleman to make the count 2-1 11:57 into the final frame.

With Reichard pulled for an extra attacker late in the game, Crabb collected an empty-net goal, providing the dagger to clinch the game with 9.2 seconds to go.

"Two mistakes ended up costing us the game," Thunder head coach Matt Thomas said. "I thought we played well. Obviously, their goaltender played real well. It's disheartening that we don't get two points, but we've got to find a way to score."

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