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Rome's hat trick sends Thunder to ninth straight winless mark vs. Idaho

November 29, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. -Ashton Rome collected a hat trick and goaltender Richard Bachman made 27 saves to help the Idaho Steelheads sweep the Stockton Thunder (5-11-3, 13 points) in a three-game series for a 5-1 decision before 6,011 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday night.

The Thunder, who despite carry a 5-3-2 record against its ECHL schedule sans Idaho (who have won nine in a row against the Thunder this year), received its only goal from Judd Blackwater in the first period. Evan Barlow and Mathieu Tousignant also scored for the Steelheads, who carry the league's best record at 16-3-1.

Idaho took a 2-1 lead after one period of play, beginning with Ashton Rome's ninth goal of the year coming shorthanded with 4:55 gone in the first period when he outraced the Thunder defense and scored on a forehand deke.

Blackwater helped the Thunder level the score 1-1 at 9:05 with his team-leading ninth goal, converting Colton Yellow Horn's centering pass from the right corner through Bachman's legs.

Barlow's 10th goal of the season restored the Idaho lead at 2-1 with 15:49 gone in the first period, converting a rebound for a power-play goal.

Mathieu Tousignant capitalized on a Thunder turnover with 3:16 left in the second period and scored his sixth goal of the season to lift Idaho to a 3-1 lead, after Mark Derlago stole Jordan Bendfeld's pass behind the net and successfully centered the puck for Tousignant.

Rome picked up his second goal of the game on a penalty shot with 5:32 left in regulation when he beat Bryan Pitton with a snap shot from below the hash marks.

The first year forward then finished off the hat trick and gave Idaho a 5-1 cushion on a five-minute major power-play, when he took Marty Flichel's from behind the net and ripped a one-timer to the back of the net from beneath the hash marks for his 11th goal of the season.

Pitton took the loss, making 35 saves.

NOTES: Before the game, the Thunder activated center Mike Bayrack off injured reserve... the Thunder scratched Ryan Constant (injury, day-to-day), Riley Emmerson (healthy), Bobby Davey (healthy) and Kelly Czuy (injured reserve)... the Thunder power-play struggles continued against Idaho's penalty kill, despite being ranked 5th in the ECHL heading into the game, went 0-for-5 in the game and continued an 0-for-28 stretch in the season series.

The Thunder ends a five-day layoff on Friday, Dec. 4 with a 7:30 p.m. home game against the Bakersfield Condors at Stockton Arena. The game can be heard and viewed online at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season Tickets for 2009-10 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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