Perugini stops all 34 shots for second shutout of career

Published on March 19, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


ONTARIO, Calif. - Rookie goaltender Andrew Perugini turned aside all 34 shots he faced for the second shutout of his career, helping the Stockton Thunder (30-29-5, 65 points) blank the Ontario Reign in a 3-0 victory before 8,115 fans at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Wednesday.

The Thunder, who scored twice on the power-play, received goal-scoring support from Craig Valette, Cleve Kinley and James Bates, who moved closer to clinching their third straight Kelly Cup Playoff berth.

Both teams played through a scoreless tie in the opening period with Thunder goaltender Andrew Perugini turning aside 11 shots. Counterpart Jeff Zatkoff made eight saves and helped Ontario thrwart 45 seconds of a 5-on-3 power-play for Stockton.

Valette picked up his his 6th goal of the season at 15:24 when he caught a piece of Bates shot from the slot, beating Zatkoff under the glove for a 1-0 Thunder lead in the second period.

Kinley hiked the Thunder lead to 2-0 with a power-play goal at 15:24 of the second period, when he took Ryan Huddy's pass at the high-slot and snapped a one-timer past Zatkoff's blocker side.

Geoff Walker threated to put the Reign back in the game early in the third period was denied on a highlight-reel glove save by Perugini to keep Ontario off the board, when the goaltender sprawled to his left and stopped Walker's wrist shot at the top of the crease.

Bates put the game away with his 14th of the season on the power-play with 3:10 left in the game, taking Huddy's centering pass and roofing a snap shot under the crossbar.

Zatkoff made 44 saves in the losing cause.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Marc-Andre Bernier (injured reserve), Jordan Bendfeld (injured reserve) and Garet Hunt (healthy) ... the Thunder outshot the Reign 46-34 and converted at 2-for-6 on the power-play ... the Thunder finished with a 4-1-1 record at Citizens Business Bank Arena this season ... Los Angeles Kings president of business operations Luc Robitaille, who also is the highest-scoring left winger in NHL history, was in attendance at the game.

The Thunder returns to play tomorrow at home against the Utah Grizzlies, starting at 7:00 p.m. at Stockton Arena. The game is available on radio at 1420 KSTN (potentially joined in progress) and online for viewing (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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ECHL Stories from March 19, 2009


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