Thunder Improves To 6-0-2 In Last 8, Victorious In Conference Finals Rematch

Published on November 11, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


BOISE, Idaho - Goaltender Bryan Pitton made 32 saves and stopped all three shots faced in a shootout, helping the Stockton Thunder (6-1-2, 14 points) overcome a late third period deficit and rally in a 2-1 shootout victory over the Idaho Steelheads at Qwest Arena on Wednesday night.

The Thunder, who served payback after a defeat to Idaho, 4-2 in a best-of-seven series in the Conference Final last year, improved to 6-0-2 in the last eight games and forced overtime with a goal from rookie Jesse Gimblett with 3:42 left in regulation.

From there, Aaron Clarke, Jason Pitton and Chris D'Alvise scored in the first three rounds of the shootout and Pitton forced Marty Flichel's bid off the right post to seal the game in the third round.

"We didn't dominate but we carried the play," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "We got a great win on the road and anytime you can squeeze out a win like that, down with about three minutes left, it's a pretty special two points. We're happy with it."

Bryan Pitton and Idaho counterpart and Dallas Stars second round draftee, Tyler Beskorowany, exchanged saves in the first period that produced a scoreless tie, despite the Thunder outshooting the Steelheads, 12-7. Anthony Aiello kept the game scoreless in the early minutes with an open net block on a left wing shot by Adam Huxley.

In exchange, a Thunder bid for the first goal of the game was foiled in the opening period when Bretton Cameron took a give-and-go feed at the right goal post, in front of an open net, but the pass rolled over his stick with Beskorowany beaten to the glove side.

In the second period, Beskorowany stopped 14 Thunder shots, including a one-timer from Fraser Clair between the circles. Bryan Pitton was also strong on a series of attempts down low on an Idaho power-play, part of the eight stops he recorded in the period.

Yet, Idaho put the pressure on the Thunder with a goal from rookie Kael Mouillierat with 7:50 left in regulation, who picked up a rebound in the slot and fired it, through traffic, over Pitton's blocker for a 1-0 lead.

Undeterred, the Thunder came back with Gimblett's goal 4:08 later, leveling the score when he picked up a rebound from Dan Ringwald's stopped shot from the right wing. Gimblett corralled the puck behind the net and re-directed it off the skate of Beskorowany from behind the goal line.

"That's a good goal by Gimblett," said Thomas. "Was there some luck involved? Sure. But he was trying to do what he did. You don't chalk it up to being lucky, because when we got our opportunities in the shootout, we cashed with three very pretty goals by our shooters."

After a scoreless overtime period, where the Thunder outshot the Steelheads, 4-1, Clarke notched the first goal of the shootout with a crafty move over the glove of Beskorowany. Jason Pitton followed up with a snap shot from the right circle in the second round, and D'Alvise deked to the backhand, roofing his third round bid over Beskorowany's glove.

Flichel then tried a forehand snap shot to keep the Steelheads alive, but Pitton deflected the shot off the goal post to wrap up the win.

Expanding its first place lead in the Pacific Division to six points over the Bakersfield Condors, the Thunder earned its second comeback win, on the road when trailing in the third period and is now 2-0-2 in one-goal games.

"It's an important lesson to learn, especially early in the season," said Thomas. "We lost a ton of those games last year, especially eight of those to Idaho as one-goal games where it was a play in the third that cost us the game. To teach yourself what it takes, and stay with it, it's only a positive lesson that's going to help us win more."

Beskorowany took the shootout loss with 43 saves.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Tyson Sexsmith (placed on injured reserve before game), Chase Ryan (injured reserve), Craig Valette (injured reserve), Jordan Bendfeld (two-game suspension), Daryl Marcoux (illness) and Jordan Foreman (injured, day-to-day) ... Pitton improved to 3-0-0, the best start of his career ... the Thunder outshot Idaho, 45-33 and piled its season high in shots ... the Thunder improved to 2-1 in shootouts this season.

The Thunder returns to play on Friday, continuing a three-game road trip against the Idaho Steelheads at 6:10 p.m. at Qwest Arena. The game can be heard on radio at 1280 AM KWSX and viewed live on the internet (pay-per-view 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/.

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