Thunder Handed First Regulation Loss in Matt Thomas Coaching Era

Published on January 24, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Craig Kowalski made 33 saves while Kimbi Daniels and Ashton Rome both scored a goal and an assist to help the Phoenix RoadRunners snap the Stockton Thunder's (17-18-5, 39 points) eight-game unbeaten streak in regulation, in a 4-1 Thunder loss before 5,745 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday.

The Thunder, who outshot Phoenix 34-18 and lost in regulation for the first time under head coach Matt Thomas (7-1-1), were aided by a goal from veteran center Cory Urquhart in his return to the lineup after the ECHL All-Star Game. Phoenix won for just the sixth time in 23 lifetime meetings against the Thunder and notched its third lifetime win in four seasons at Stockton Arena.

Tonight was the first of back-to-back games where the Thunder suited up in home jerseys of their NHL affiliate, the Edmonton Oilers (midnight blue and copper), slated to be auctioned off to the public after Saturday night's game against the Alaska Aces.

Ashton Rome's 18th goal of the season put Phoenix ahead 1-0 at the 8:16 mark of the first period, taking a feed by Kimbi Daniels from the neutral zone and beating Thunder goaltender Bryan Pitton from the right circle with a snapshot through the five-hole.

Craig Kowalski, who was making his first appearance in Stockton Arena since the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game, made 10 saves for Phoenix in the first period to keep the Thunder off the scoreboard, which included two point-blank saves on ECHL All-Stars Cory Urquhart and Ryan Huddy from below the hash marks.

The Thunder leveled the score at 1-1 with 1:43 gone in the second period when Urquhart converted a backhander off a broken play for his 16th goal of the season.

Phoenix took the lead back on the eventual game-winner when Dan DaSilva scored his fifth goal of the year shorthanded at 7:01of the second period. The Thunder, who were caught in a line change, left DaSilva alone at the defensive blueline. Kowalski flipped a pass nearly 120 feet to DaSilva, who batted down the puck with his glove and scored on a breakaway with a forehand shot around Pitton's left pad.

Thirty-six year old veteran Kimbi Daniels stretched the Phoenix momentum at a 3-1 lead with his 12th goal of the season with 13:20 left in regulation, when he converted a one-timer in the slot off a right corner pass from teammate Merit Waldrop.

P.J. Fenton sealed the game at 4-1 on an empty-net goal with 1:19 left in regulation.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Marc-Andre Bernier (injured reserve), Ryan MacMurchy (injured reserve), Jordan Bendfeld (injured reserve), Cleve Kinley (injured reserve), Justin Chwedoruk (injured reserve), David Rohlfs (injured reserve) and Garet Hunt (healthy) ... the Thunder, who were 13-for-58 (22%) on the power-play in the last eight game, were shut out on an 0-for-6 effort ... Huddy had his six-game goal-scoring streak snapped ... the Thunder fell to 16-5-1 in the lifetime series vs. Phoenix ... the game began a stretch of five games in six nights for the Thunder.

The Thunder returns to play tomorrow against the Alaska Aces at 7:30 p.m. from Stockton Arena. The game is available exclusively online (audio is free-of-charge) for viewing for a $7 charge at http://www.stocktonthunder.com/ (courtesy of B2 Networks).

The proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, the Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for three consecutive seasons and drew 239,337 fans to Stockton Arena in 2007-08. Season, group, individual tickets and mini plan packages 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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ECHL Stories from January 24, 2009


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