Matt Thomas earns first win as Thunder head coach

Published on January 3, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Head Coach Matt Thomas earned his first win behind the Stockton Thunder bench while Cory Urquhart and James Bates each picked up a goal and an assist, helping lift the Thunder (11-17-5, 27 points) to a 4-1 victory over the Alaska Aces before 4,941 at Sullivan Arena on Friday night.

In the process of snapping a six-game winless streak, it was the Thunder's first lifetime win in regulation at Sullivan Arena and was aided by a goal from Igor Gongalsky and Justin Chwedoruk. Goaltender Glenn Fisher made 19 saves to earn his first win of the season in a Thunder uniform. Alaska netminder Marek Schwarz stopped 30 shots for the loss.

Both teams played to a scoreless draw in the opening period, with the Thunder outshooting the Aces 13-4 in a period dominated by Stockton's puck-possession attack. Schwarz kept the Thunder at-bay with 13 stops, including a point-blank chance on Jeff Kyrzakos from the deep slot.

Gongalsky scored his first goal in a Thunder uniform at 2:02 of the second period, re-directing a rebound through the five-hole of Alaska goaltender Marek Schwartz to put the Thunder up 1-0. Judd Blackwater and Kenny MacAulay picked up assists on the play which were their first points in a Thunder uniform.

Luke Erickson's sixth goal of the season leveled the score at 1-1 just 4:15 later on a power-play goal, re-directing the puck off Fisher's skate from behind the goal line.

Bates picked up the eventual game-winner with 1:38 remaining on a power-play goal for his fourth of the season, pounding a rebound past Schwartz after Urquhart was denied on a one-timer from the slot.

At 4:28 of the third period, Urquhart hammered a one-timer past Schwartz from the slot for his 10th goal of the season, finishing a pass by Ryan Huddy from behind the goal to lift the Thunder to a 3-1 lead.

Chwedoruk, one game after sitting out as a healthy scratch, put the game out of reach with his sixth goal of the season with 2:41 left for a 4-1 Thunder lead. Chwedoruk cut into the slot from the right wing and zipped a backhander past Schwarz's blocker side. Bates and Huddy registered assists on the play.

The Thunder power-play finished at a 1-for-9 clip while holding the Aces to a power-play goal in six attempts.

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) ... the Thunder improved to 8-14-4 lifetime against the Aces and are now 2-0-1 in the season series ... the Thunder outshot the Aces 34-20 ... rookie Garet Hunt squared off against veteran Scott Burt (earning Burt a game misconduct), while Blackwater and Kana dropped the gloves in the third period and both teams combined for 84 penalty minutes ... the Thunder has combined to outshot the Aces 26-9 in the first period of play for the last two games.

The Thunder returns to play for its next game on Saturday against Aces at 8:15 p.m. from Sullivan Arena, finishing the three-game series. 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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ECHL Stories from January 3, 2009


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