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Sexsmith returns from AHL with 29 saves, perfect shootout effort for win

March 19, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Goaltender Tyson Sexsmith stood tall during a solid 65 minutes of play with a 29-save performance, while Fraser Clair notched the game-winning shootout goal as the Stockton Thunder (32-22-10, 74 points) defeated the Idaho Steelheads 3-2 in a shootout, in front of a home crowd of 5,484 fans Friday night at Stockton Arena.

The win lifted the Thunder to one point behind a tie for first place in the tight Pacific Division, shared by Las Vegas and Bakersfield.

"I think we played really well in the third period- I like the way our guys responded," said head coach Matt Thomas. "Obviously it took a little longer than we wanted it, but getting the two points this time of year is what truly matters."

Despite getting goals by Ryan Constant and Jim McKenzie, Idaho was able to even up the score during a last minute rally in the final minute of the game. After an uneventful overtime, Clair finally found the back of the net in the seventh round of the shootout, and gave the Thunder their fourth win of the season against the Steelheads with the help of a Sexsmith stop on Michael Neal.

Though the opening period of play proved scoreless, eight different Thunder players all registered at least one shot on goal. In the first eight minutes, Garet Hunt and Chris Hepp traded punches and earned themselves each a fighting major, while Hunt enthusiastically played to the crowd as he skated to the penalty box.

At the three-minute mark of the second period, Idaho's Kael Mouillierat scored the first goal of the game and made it 1-0. After skating past defenseman Dan Ringwald, Mouillierat took a shot from the bottom of the right circle that beat Sexsmith.

Stockton tied the game 1-1, during the remaining two minutes of the period. Pierre Andre-Bureau won the face-off and passed the puck back to Constant, who shot it from the point past Dusty Carlson as he went into his butterfly.

Just 2:02 into the third period, the Thunder took the lead and made it 2-1 with an unassisted goal by McKenzie, who corralled the puck from behind Idaho's net and wrapped it around the post into the back of the cage, for his 10th goal of the season.

Idaho's last minute rally tied the game up 2-2 during the final minute of the game. The Thunder's inability to control the puck in their own zone resulted in an easy goal by Mark Derlago, who buried his 38th goal of the season from the right circle with 53 seconds left with Carlson lifted for an extra attacker.

Neither team was able to score during overtime, as both Stockton and Idaho registered two shots apiece.

Both Sexsmith and Carlson denied any scoring attempts for six shootout rounds. In the seventh round, Clair finally tickled the twine and won the game for Stockton on a backhander over Carlson's shoulder. Sexsmith sealed the game by kicking away Michael Neal's attempt with the left pad.

Carlson, helping force overtime in his pro debut, made 29 saves.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Cameron Brodie (healthy), Bretton Cameron (injured reserve), Daryl Marcoux (healthy), and Kelly Czuy (injured reserve) ‚¬Â¦Stockton narrowly outshot Idaho, registering 32 shots-on-goal ‚¬Â¦neither team were successful on the power play, with Stockton going 0-for-2...Upon their return from the AHL, Lawrence and Jody Pederson combined for four shots on net.

The Thunder returns to play at the Stockton Arena tomorrow night, hosting the Idaho Steelheads 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- 9 Fraser Clair

2. STK- 29 Tyson Sexsmith

3. STK- 15 Jim McKenzie



ECHL Stories from March 19, 2011


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