Thunder Lead Series 3-2, Push Ontario to Brink of Elimination

Published on April 19, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Goaltender Parker Van Buskirk won his second straight playoff game with 30 saves to help the Stockton Thunder push the Ontario Reign to the brink of elimination in a 4-2 Thunder victory in Game 5 of the Pacific Division Semifinal of the 2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs, before 4,192 fans at Stockton Arena on Sunday.

The Thunder took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series and will look to close out Ontario on Tuesday in Game 6 - a chance for the first playoff series triumph in Thunder history. James Bates scored a goal and registered an assist, while defenseman Robbie Bina collected two assists. Ontario goaltender Jeff Zatkoff took the loss, making 24 saves.

STOCKTON VS. ONTARIO - PACIFIC DIVISION SEMIFINALS
Game 1: Stockton 3 at Ontario 4
Game 2: Stockton 6 at Ontario 5
Game 3: Ontario 5 at Stockton 1
Game 4: Ontario 4 at Stockton 5 (OT)
Game 5: Ontario 2 at Stockton 4
Game 6: Stockton at Ontario - Tuesday, April 21 - 7:00 p.m. (Citizens Business Bank Arena)
Game 7: Stockton at Ontario - Wednesday, April 22 - 7:00 p.m. (Citizens Business Bank Arena) *
* If necessary

Cory Urquhart's fifth goal of the postseason put the Thunder ahead 1-0 with 8:15 elapsed into the first period on a 2-on-1 rush with Igor Gongalsky. Urquhart was the recipient of a Gongalsky pass at the right side of the crease, who parked a backhander into a semi-open net.

The Thunder followed by snapping a 1-for-19 funk on the power-play with Cleve Kinley's man-advantage goal with 7:31 left in first period, hiking the Stockton lead to 2-0. On a 4-on-3 skating situation, Kinley took Bina's drop pass at the high slot and ripped a slap shot through traffic that found the back of the net past Zatkoff's blocker side.

Andrew Martens, in his first game back from an AHL recall, cut the Thunder lead to 2-1 with 2:09 gone in the second period when he took Bud Holloway's feed at the center blueline and beat Van Buskirk with a one-timer.

Veteran Craig Valette's third goal of the playoff restored the Thunder lead to 3-1 with 8:40 gone in the middle frame, scoring on a snap shot from the left circle after he corralled Damian Surma's outlet pass while on the rush.

Ontario threatened to get back in the game with a 5-on-3 power-play for a span of 1:12 and even had defenseman Daryl Marcoux unarmed as he lost his stick in the penalty-kill sequence. The Thunder snuffed the Reign power-play with a series of shot blocks by the defense and Van Buskirk saves on Holloway, Martens and P.J. Atherton.

Seconds after the momentum-swinging penalty-kill, Bates stole a clearing pass in the Ontario zone and scored to hike the Thunder lead to 4-1 with 3:09 left, sending the crowd into delirium when he deked to his backhand and beat Zatkoff past the blocker.

Jon Francisco's first goal of the playoffs cut the Thunder lead to 4-2 with 13:28 left in regulation, but Ontario would get no closer for the remainder of the game.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Sebastien Bisaillon (injured reserve), Tyler Kindle (injured reserve), Adam Huxley (healthy), Andrew Perugini (injury, day-to-day) and Brandon Naurato (healthy) ... the Thunder won two out of three games at home and became the first team to win back-to-back games in the series ... despite the Thunder being outshot 32-28 by Ontario, Stockton's penalty kill kept the playoff-leading Reign power-play to an 0-for-5 clip ... the Thunder improved to a 2-1 lifetime record in Game 5 contests.

Stockton looks to advance to the second round in Game 6 on Tuesday, facing Ontario at 7:00 p.m. from Citizens Business Bank Arena. The game is available on radio at 1420 KSTN (potentially delayed in progress) and is available for viewing online (audio is free-of-charge) 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 four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season tickets for 2009-10 and Kelly Cup Playoff ticket 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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