Thunder Falls to 1-0 Series Deficit

Published on April 6, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah - Simon Ferguson bagged a pair of goals, added two assists and rookie Matt Reber had a goal and assist in his playoff debut to help the Utah Grizzlies send the Stockton Thunder to a 5-2 defeat in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinal of the 2011 Kelly Cup Playoffs, before 2,167 fans at Maverik Center on Tuesday.

Utah took a 1-0 series lead, hosting their first Game 1 since 2000 as a member of the International Hockey League. The Thunder fell to 4-4 lifetime in Game 1 scenarios and received goals from Kelly Czuy and Jody Pederson.

A three goal rally in the first period pushed Utah past the Thunder for the remainder of the game, led by J.P. Lamoureux's 26 stops.

"You can't give up three goals in period and take a penalty late in the game, down a goal, and try to battle back," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "We clearly got outworked and didn't execute our game plan. It's just one game and the same thing happened last year to us in Alaska. We know that it's a series, and not a one game showdown."

STOCKTON VS. UTAH - (Utah leads, 1-0)

Game 1: Stockton at Utah - Stockton 2 at Utah 5

Game 2: Stockton at Utah - Wednesday, April 6 - 6:05 p.m. (Maverik Center)

Game 3: Utah at Stockton - Saturday, April 9 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 4: Utah at Stockton - Sunday, April 10 - 4:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *

Game 5: Utah at Stockton - Tuesday, April 12 - 7:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *

* If necessary

Czuy pumped a rebound past J.P. Lamoureux's blocker side just 1:13 into the game to lift the Thunder to a 1-0 lead, after Ryan Constant fired wide on a left point one timer.

Utah then mustered a three-goal run in a span of 3:17 to take a 3-1 lead, beginning on Kevin Deeth's game-tying goal with 6:47 left on a backhanded rebound at the right post.

Simon Ferguson then buried a rebound off the rush with 5:09 left in the period for a 2-1 lead. Following a Steve Vanoosten tripping penalty, rookie Matt Reber cashed in with his first playoff goal with 3:30 remaining, when he collected a third chance rebound and lifted a sharp angle shot over Tyson Sexsmith's shoulder from the left circle.

Jody Pederson sliced the deficit to a one-goal with 3:51 left in the second period, when he fired a wrist shot from the left point that glanced off traffic, originated by a Jordan Fulton score, and through Lamoureux's five-hole.

The Thunder continued to press in the third period for the equalizer, but Lamoureux turned away bids by Fulton from off the rush and another snap shot by Jordan Bendfeld at the right circle.

A collision by Kelly Czuy and Utah's Kevin Deeth behind the Thunder net, resulting in a Czuy boarding penalty, opened the door for Brett Parnham's power-play goal with 1:37 left in the game to stretch the Utah edge to 4-2 when he converted Reber's centering feed from behind the right goal line.

Ferguson's second goal of the game, an empty-netter with 48 seconds left, sealed the game at a 5-2 score.

The Thunder, faced with a 1-0 series deficit, have captured three of their last four series victories after rebounding from a Game 1 defeat.

"I think it's important not to overanalyze this one," said Thomas. "We know in the room what we didn't do and what we have to correct. It's simply about not just flipping the switch and thinking you'll be good in the playoffs. It's about understanding and executing. We didn't get the job done tonight."

Sexsmith took the loss in his playoff debut, making 32 stops.

NOTES: Before the game, the Thunder placed Fraser Clair and Cameron Brodie on reserve ... the Thunder scratched Brodie, Clair and Bretton Cameron (healthy) ... in the last two seasons, the Thunder won their first round series and battled back from 1-0 series deficit each ... Czuy's goal boosted his scoring output to 21 points in 18 lifetime first round games ... Lawrence led the Thunder with a pair of assists in his playoff debut ... the game kicked off the first ever playoff series matchup between the Thunder and Utah.

Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinal is tomorrow and the Thunder visits the Utah Grizzlies to continue the best-of-five series at Maverik Center at 6:05 p.m. The game can be heard on radio at 1280 KWSX and is available for viewing (pay-per-view video charge) at www.StocktonThunder.com, courtesy of AmericaOne.

The 2011 Thunder Playoffs are presented by Golden Bear Insurance Company.

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 sixth consecutive season in 2010-11. Season Tickets for 2011-12 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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