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Sexsmith earns first shutout, Thunder return to first place

March 20, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Tyson Sexsmith's 29 save performance earned his first shutout of the season, and goals from four different players propelled the Stockton Thunder (34-22-10, 78 points) past the Idaho Steelheads, 4-0, in front of a home crowd of 5,339 fans on Sunday at Stockton Arena.

The victory put the Thunder in first place in the Pacific division with 78 points and six games remaining, as well as capped off a strong three-game weekend against Idaho, in which Stockton won all three games.

Garet Hunt, Jason Pitton, and Jordan Fulton all chipped in a goal each, while Jordan Foreman contributed a goal and an assist. With four minutes remaining in the game, Sexsmith thwarted the Steelhead's last-ditch barrage of scoring attempts during a Thunder penalty kill.

"To end this weekend with a sweep and to be in first place, against a real good team in Idaho is a real confidence booster", said head coach Matt Thomas. "The way things picked up in the third, with a nice power play goal by Foreman put us in a really good spot- but there's still a lot to be decided. Sitting on top of the division is a good feeling, but staying there is more important."

The Thunder didn't waste any time getting on the scoreboard- in the first 1:22 of the game, Hunt earned his 12th goal of the season as he took a shot from the left circle that beat Idaho goaltender Adrien Lemay and opened the scoring, 1-0.

Stockton got their second goal at 7:45 of the first when Pitton took the puck deep in the offensive zone and shot it through Lemay's five-hole, doubling the Thunder's lead to 2-0. This prompted a change in Idaho's net to goaltender Dusty Carlson.

The second period was scoreless, though the Steelheads were awarded a penalty shot in the last two minutes after Ryan Constant tripped up Geoff Irwin while he had a clear breakaway to the net. Unfortunately, Irwin's shot hit the post after it grazed Sexsmith, and the second period ended with the scoreboard remaining the same after he stopped Michael Neal on a turnover before time expired.

At 4:08 of the third period, Kael Mouillierat received a high-sticking minor, and the Thunder got their fifth power play of the game. Stockton capitalized on the man-advantage as Foreman sniped a laser shot high into the right corner of the net, above Carlson's blocker, and increased the score to 3-0.

Fulton received his 15th goal of the season and made the score 4-0, on an unassisted goal nine minutes into the third period. Fulton weaved his way around the Idaho defensemen deep in the offensive zone and took a shot that went into the left side of the net, past Carlson's glove.

Sexsmith's overall record improved to 7-2-2, while Idaho's Lemay was credited with the loss.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Cameron Brodie (healthy), Dan Ringwald (injured, day-to-day), Kelly Czuy (injured reserve), and Jarrett Konkle (injured, day-to-day) ‚¬Â¦Stockton trailed in shots-on-goal, 23-29 ‚¬Â¦the Thunder went 1-5 on the power play...Stockton was successful on all 5 penalty kills and blanked Idaho on all 13 chances during the weekend ‚¬Â¦the penalty shot given to Geoff Irwin marked the second of the season against Stockton and the first since opening night, when Sexsmith stopped Tim Kraus of Ontario on Oct. 15 ‚¬Â¦ the game featured a special "Pucks and Paws" promotion where fans were able to purchase discounted tickets and bring their dog to the game.

The Thunder returns to play on Friday at Stockton Arena, hosting the Victoria Salmon Kings at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard on radio at 1280 KWSX and viewed live on the internet (pay-per-view video charge) at www.StocktonThunder.com, courtesy of AmericaOne.

A two-time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew over 200,000 fans for the fifth consecutive season in 2009-10. Season Tickets, mini-plans and individual tickets for 2010-11 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/.

THREE STARS

1. STK- 29 Tyson Sexsmith

2. STK- 16 Jordan Foreman

3. STK- 24 Garet Hunt

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