Thunder drops finale of three-game series

January 13, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Alaska Aces forward Josh Soares scored four points (2g-2a) which tied a career-high, helping send the Stockton Thunder (16-17-2, 34 points) to a 4-2 loss to Alaska before 4,892 at Sullivan Arena on Saturday night.

It was the third time this season Soares posted his career-high effort, twice coming against the Thunder. Returning to Alaska on reassignment from the AHL affiliate Peoria Rivermen, Soares' production marked an eight-point effort (5g-3a) in the three game series against the Thunder this week.

Olivier Filion scored his 14th goal of the season on the power-play to give Alaska a 1-0 lead with nine minutes left in the first period. After Thunder goaltender Glenn Fisher stopped a blast by Peter Metcalf from the high slot, Filion reached for the loose puck around a screen and slid the rebound through the five-hole of Fisher.

Alaska goaltender Derek Gustafson kept the Thunder scoreless through the first 20 minutes with 10 saves.

Three goals in the second period by the Aces stretched their lead to 4-1 through two periods, beginning with Matt Robinson's seventh of the year on the power-play, when he finished a rebound at the 1:38 mark past the blocker of Fisher. The ECHL All-Star selection Soares scored his team-leading 18th goal of the year to hike Alaska's lead to 3-0 when he buried a one-timer from the right circle, set-up by a feed from Peter Metcalf from the high-slot.

Soares scored his second of the game and 19th of the season to stretch the Aces advantage to 4-0 on the team's third power-play goal of the game after he re-directed Corbin Schmidt's drive from the high-slot.

The Thunder broke Gustafson's shutout with Andy Contois' 11th goal of the season, scoring on a breakaway that was set-up by Ryan MacMurchy's outlet pass with 5:33 remaining in the second period, cutting the deficit to 4-1.

Thunder captain and all-star defenseman Brad Farynuk was credited with his fourth goal of the season which cut the Alaska cushion to two goals at the third period's 12:27 mark, helping set a screen in front that re-directed Brandon Schwartz's centering pass from behind the right goal line past Gustafson while positioned at the top of the crease.

Three separate fights contributed to a combined 54 minutes in penalties between both teams in the third period, including a scrap between Farynuk and Soares with four seconds left. Soares was issued an additional instigator penalty, coming in the final five minutes of play which calls for an automatic one-game suspension under ECHL rules. Thunder enforcer Adam Huxley dropped the gloves twice, including a bout with counterpart Eric Neilson in the first period and scrapped with defenseman Peter Metcalf in the third frame.

NOTES: The Thunder dropped its all-time record to 6-11-3 against the Aces and is 5-3-0 in the season series, finishing 3-2-0 at Sullivan Arena this year ... MacMurchy's assist extended his point-scoring streak to six consecutive games ... Spencer Carbery missed the game with a lower-body injury and is listed as day-to-day.

The Thunder returns to play on Wednesday, January 16 with a 7:00 p.m. game against the Fresno Falcons at Stockton Arena. The game can be heard live on radio at 1420-AM KSTN and online (video and audio available) at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks.

Host of the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game and festivities on Jan. 22 and 23, the Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for two consecutive seasons and drew 244,085 fans to Stockton Arena in 2006-07. Season tickets, group tickets and individual tickets for 2007-08 are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.stocktonthunder.com.



ECHL Stories from January 13, 2008


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