Ontario sends Thunder to third loss in four games

Published on February 15, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - P.J. Atherton's shorthanded goal with 12:12 left in regulation capped a three-goal comeback in the final 40 minutes for the Ontario Reign, who sent the Stockton Thunder to a 3-2 loss before a crowd of 5,008 at Stockton Arena on Sunday.

The Thunder, who suffered their third loss in four games, slipped to five points behind the Reign for first place in the Pacific Division. Adam Huxley and Ryan Huddy each scored in the first period for Stockton, while Ontario received additional support on goals from Dale Reinhardt and Jon Francisco.

Goaltender Kellen Briggs earned the win in net with 32 stops.

Huddy buried the game's first goal for a 1-0 Thunder lead just 30 seconds into the contest when he took a feed from Craig Valette and roofed a wrist shot under the crossbar from the base of the right circle. Huddy's 27th goal put him two behind Mike Lalonde's single season record (set in 2005-06).

Huxley widened the Thunder edge to 2-0 at 12:35 of the opening period with his eighth goal of the season when he buried a rebound off a Daryl Marcoux slapshot from middle point.

Thunder goaltender Bryan Pitton, who dropped his fifth straight loss despite making 12 saves in the opening period, saw his shutout bid snapped on Reinhardt's sixth goal of the year at 10:25 of the second period to cut the Thunder lead in half.

Ontario leveled the score at 2-2 just 41 seconds into the final period when Francisco converted his 19th goal of the season on the power-play, burying a rebound off a scramble at the goal mouth.

The Thunder threatened to claim the lead back but had their plans spoiled when Atherton scored the eventual game-winner at 7:48. Pitton raced out of the crease to play the puck off an Ontario clearing attempt and his bid to advance the puck was blocked by the oncoming Reign forecheckers.

Atherton took the loose puck and buried a wrist shot from the right circle into an empty net.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Marc-Andre Bernier (injured reserve), Jordan Bendfeld (injured reserve), Cleve Kinley (injured reserve) and Ryan Constant (injured reserve), playing with just 14 skaters ... the Thunder fell to 3-4-1 in the season series to Ontario ... the game ended a stretch of three games in 72 hours for Stockton ... the Thunder outshot Ontario 34-25 ... Huxley's goal ended an eight-game scoring drought.

The Thunder returns to play on Friday, visiting the Utah Grizzlies for a 6:05 p.m. faceoff from The E-Center. The game is available on radio at 1420 KSTN is available for viewing online (audio is free-of-charge) 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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