Second straight one-goal affair gives host Idaho a three-game sweep

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


BOISE, Idaho - John Swanson snapped a 2-2 tie with 10:03 remaining in the third period on a game-winning power-play goal, helping the Idaho Steelheads complete a three-game sweep of the Stockton Thunder (0-3-0, 0 points) in a 3-2 decision before 2,654 fans at Qwest Arena on Sunday.

The Thunder fell to 1-8-1 in the last ten all-time games in Boise and dropped their second straight one-goal game. Judd Blackwater extended his goal-scoring streak to three consecutive games and Chris D'Alvise chipped in with the first goal of his pro career. Idaho's Mark Derlago and Tyler Spurgeon also scored, while rookie Richard Bachman won in his pro debut with 26 saves in net.

Thunder goaltender Andrew Perugini made 36 saves in the losing cause.

Both teams battled through a 1-1 tie in the opening period, beginning with Derlago's second goal of the year with 7:35 left in the period after taking Brandon Kushniruk's centering feed and slipping a wrist shot under Perugini's five-hole. The goal came after Bachman helped the Steelheads start their transition with a highlight-reel save on D'Alvise at the doorstep.

The Thunder responded with Blackwater's third tally in as many games, a power-play goal with 4:15 left when he took Oren Eizenman's redirection at the goal mouth and skipped it past the blocker of Bachman.

At the 1:52 mark of the second period, Spurgeon put the Steelheads ahead 2-1 when he intercepted a Thunder attempt up the middle of the ice and beat Perugini past the blocker side from between the circles.

The Thunder responded to level the score at 2-2 on D'Alvise's goal with 1:59 left in the period. While on the rush, D'Alvise angled from the right wing and rifled a wrist shot past Bachman's blocker side from between the circles.

With the Thunder picking up momentum, Bachman kept the game tied on a series of point-blank saves and Perugini responded by robbing Spurgeon at the top of the crease.

The physical play took a toll on the Thunder penalty box fortunes when Blackwater earned a roughing penalty for a body check on Spurgeon in the right corner. Just four seconds into the ensuing power-play, Swanson took Flichel's feed at the right point and ripped a one-timer through traffic and into the back of the net to put Idaho up by a goal for the third time in the game.

Two point-blank chances by the Thunder were turned away by Bachman in the closing seconds with Perugini pulled for a 6-on-5 skating advantage.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Matt O'Dette (injured reserve), Steve Vanoosten (injured reserve), Jason Pitton (injured reserve), Bobby Davey (healthy) and Stephen Slonina (healthy) ... rookie Chris Davis collected an assist on D'Alvise's goal for the first point of his pro career ... Blackwater's power-play goal gave the Thunder its third straight game with a man-advantage goal ... the Thunder penalty-kill unit held Idaho to a 1-for-3 clip and went 16-for-18 on the penalty kill.

The Thunder return to play for their home opener on Friday, Oct. 23 against the Ontario Reign at 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena. The game can be heard on radio at 1420 KSTN 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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ECHL Stories from October 19, 2009


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