Sports stats



Thunder drops final head-to-head matchup at Selland Arena

December 20, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


FRESNO, Calif. - Michael Ouzas made 32 saves and the Fresno Falcons capitalized off two power-play goals to edge the Stockton Thunder (10-13-4, 24 points) in a 3-1 win before a crowd of 2,852 at Selland Arena on Saturday night.

In Fresno's final game before the holiday break, three different goal-scorers converted for the Falcons in Spencer Carbery, Judd Blackwater and Adam Berti. Justin Chwedoruk scored the only Thunder goal and netminder Bryan Pitton made 25 saves in the losing cause.

Thunder left wing Mike Lalonde was held scoreless and remains tied with Nathan Martz at 122 points for the Thunder's all-time scoring lead.

Both teams battled through a scoreless tie in the opening 20 minutes and the Thunder tightened the defensive screws on Fresno's attack, limiting the Falcons to just four shots on goal. Falcons goaltender Michael Ouzas countered with seven stops.

Spencer Carbery helped Fresno draw first blood with his fifth goal of the season at 1:49 of the second period, lifting Fresno to a 1-0 lead when he re-directed Kenny MacAulay's drive from the high slot past Thunder goaltender Bryan Pitton. Judd Blackwater converted a deflected puck from a Jarrett Konkle left wing pass with 11:25 remaining in the period to hike the Falcons lead to 2-0.

Justin Chwedoruk's fifth goal of the year cut the deficit to 2-1 at 14:46 when he buried a rebound after Ouzas stopped rookie defenseman Cody Wild's drive from the right point. Adam Berti's power-play goal with 3:59 left in the period restored the two-goal margin for Fresno, when he re-directed MacAulay's snap shot from the high slot over Pitton's glove.

Ouzas and the Falcons held the Thunder at bay in the third period despite a 12-7 shots-on-goal total favoring Stockton.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Marc-Andre Bernier (injured reserve), Ryan MacMurchy (injury, day-to-day), Jordan Bendfeld (injured reserve), Brandon Scero (healthy) and Jeff Kyrzakos (illness) ... the Thunder moved its record to 9-21-6 in the lifetime series and is 2-3-2 against Fresno this season ... both teams combined for 10 fighting majors in the contest ... the Thunder outshot Fresno 33-28.

The Thunder return to play on Sunday, Dec. 21 with a 5:00 p.m. road bout against the Ontario Reign at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The game is available on radio at 1420 KSTN and online (audio is free-of-charge) for viewing for a $7 charge at http://www.stocktonthunder.com/ (courtesy of B2 Networks).



ECHL Stories from December 20, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central