Thunder gets "Gordie Howe Hat Trick" from Cameron, points from 10 players

Published on January 15, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah - Rookie winger Bretton Cameron collected a goal, assist and a fight for a "Gordie Howe Hat Trick," headlining nine different teammates who collected points to guide the Stockton Thunder (16-11-6, 38 points) to a 4-2 victory over the Utah Grizzlies before 3,123 fans at Maverik Center on Friday.

The Thunder, who improved to 2-1-0 in the head-to-head series with Utah (holding the best record in the Western Conference to enter the game), had Garet Hunt pitch in with a power-play goal, Jesse Gimblett contribute with a game-winner in the third period, and Jim McKenzie finish with an empty-netter.

Goaltender Bryan Pitton made 32 saves to improve to 11-4-3 with the win.

"We came out prepared and came through with a good team win on the road," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "Bretton was solid again, but just as impressive were ten players of ours to chip in with points. We got scoring help from multiple sources and that's what we need to be successful on the road."

Cameron put the Thunder ahead, 1-0 with 2:28 left in the first period when he finished a three-way passing sequence at the left goal post, collecting his team-leading 11th goal on the year. Jarrett Konkle forced a turnover in the right corner on the forecheck and slipped a pass to P.A. Bureau at the right circle, who steered the puck across to an open Cameron.

Tyler Ruegsegger's seventh goal of the year leveled the score, 1-1 with 6:10 elapsed in the second period on a power-play. Just seconds after the Thunder neutralized a 5-on-3 kill, Ruegsegger picked a loose puck up at the left goal line and picked an open hole over Pitton's blocker.

The Thunder responded on the power-play themselves on Hunt's fourth of the year with 8:13 left in the period. When Utah goaltender Andrew Engelage stopped Steve Vanoosten's drive from the blueline, Hunt deposited the rebound into a half open net to restore the lead.

Gimblett's ninth goal of the season boosted the Thunder cushion to 3-1 with 15:09 left in the third period. Cameron produced the scoring chance when his wrist shot from the right circle was stopped by Engelage, who deflected the rebound into traffic. Gimblett raced into the slot and buried the loose puck under a sliding Engelage.

At 9:23 of the third period, Kevin Deeth's eighth goal of the year drew the Grizzlies to within a goal, when he went to the front of the net and re-directed David Schulz's right point slapshot past Pitton's glove.

The Thunder worked the clock down and prevented Utah from pulling Engelage for an extra attacker until the final 30 seconds. After a clearing pass and a near-miss for Jordan Fulton on the empty net, Fraser Clair fed the loose puck from the right corner onto the tape of McKenzie, who buried the empty net goal with less than six seconds left.

Three fights, a part of five in the game, closed out the final seconds with Cameron taking on Marcus Carroll, then Fulton dropping the gloves with Chris Donovan, and Cameron Brodie trading punches with David Schulz at the final buzzer.

Engelage took the loss with 36 saves.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Chase Ryan (healthy) and Tyson Sexsmith (injured reserve) ... Cameron now has seven goals in the last seven games, totaling 14 points (7g-7a) in that span ... the Thunder outshot Utah, 40-34 in the game and 18-8 in the final period ... Utah entered the game with the league's leading power-play at 22 percent, but were held to a 1-for-8 clip on the man-advantage.

The Thunder returns to play tomorrow at Maverik Center against Utah at 6:05 p.m. The game can be heard 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 - 55 Jesse Gimblett

2. UTA - 23 Chris Donovan

3. STK - 24 Garet Hunt

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