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Thunder hang on for sixth road win behind Pitton's 35 saves

December 6, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


ONTARIO, Calif. - Stockton Thunder (8-9-3, 19 points) goaltender Bryan Pitton made 35 saves and received support from a career-high two-goal night by Adam Huxley, helping the Thunder sink the Ontario Reign in a 3-2 victory at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Friday.

Huxley scored two goals, aided by game-winning goal from Stephane Goulet.

Huxley scored his fifth goal of the season on a power-play at 9:14 to put the Thunder up 1-0, cleaning up a loose puck after Reign goaltender Jeff Zatkoff denied Dan McGoff's snap shot at the right circle. Huxley's second goal of the game just 2:12 later hiked the Thunder edge to 2-0 when his snapshot from the slot beat Zatkoff under the crossbar.

Jon Rheault's 5-on-3 power-play goal at 2:06 of the second period cut the Thunder lead to 2-1, when his backhander elded an outstretched Bryan Pitton.

Pitton kept Ontario at bay with 18 saves through the first two periods.

Stephane Goulet's second goal of the season at 7:35 of the third period put the Thunder up two goals, when he followed his own rebound and buried the puck past Zatkoff's blocker. Ontario closed the gap to 3-2 with Geoff Walker's seventh goal of the year with 59 seconds left and Zatkoff pulled for an extra attacker. Walker re-directed P.J. Atherton's wrist shot from the high slot past Pitton's blocker.

Pitton closed the door with a save at the buzzer on Atherton, making 35 saves.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Marc-Andre Bernier (injured reserve), Jeff Kyrzakos (healthy) and Jordan Bendfeld (injured reserve) ... the Thunder converted at a 1-for-3 clip on the power-play and improved to 2-1-1 in the season series against Ontario.

The Thunder return to play tomorrow with a 7:30 p.m. rematch against the Reign from Stockton Arena. The game is available for viewing and listening exclusively on the internet 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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