Thunder poses dramatic rally in final two minutes

January 7, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


PHOENIX, Ariz. - Veteran Cory Urquhart fired a backhanded shot through goaltender Craig Kowalski's five-hole with 3.8 seconds remaining in regulation to cap a dramatic come-from-behind victory for the Stockton Thunder (13-17-5, 31 points), who edged the Phoenix RoadRunners 5-4 in regulation before a crowd of 1,923 at U.S. Airways Center on Tuesday night.

Urquhart scored twice, including the game-tying goal with 1:21 left in regulation to highlight a three-point (2g-1a) effort. Rookie forward James Bates notched a career-high four points (1g-3a) and fight for the first "Gordie Howe Hat Trick" of his career. All-Star selection Ryan Huddy pitched in with three points (2g-1a) while Thunder goaltender Glenn Fisher stopped 21 shots for the victory.

In the meantime, the Thunder improved to 3-0-1 since hiring Matt Thomas as head coach.

Phoenix buried a pair of goals in the first period to assume a 2-0 lead, beginning with Dane Crowley's fourth goal of the season at 5:25 when he took a drop pass from veteran Kimbi Daniels and ripped a one-timer past Glenn Fisher from above the right circle.

Dan DaSilva converted a rebound in front of the net for his fourth goal of the season at the 8:55 mark to put Phoenix up by two goals, taking a carom from the back-glass on Ashton Rome's slapshot and slipping the loose puck past an unsuspecting Fisher.

John McNabb's power-play goal made it 3-0 RoadRunners with 1:04 gone in the second period which prompted a quick answer from the Thunder. James Bates scored his fifth goal of the year on the power-play to get the Thunder on the board at 6:58 of the second period, re-directing Cleve Kinley's blast from the high slot past Phoenix goaltender Craig Kowalski.

All-Star Ryan Huddy cut the deficit to 3-2 when his backhander on the doorstep beat an outstretched Kowalski to the glove side at the 9:14 mark of the middle frame.

Phoenix countered with a momentum-swinging goal at a 4-on-4 skating situation with Ashton Rome's 16th goal of the year with 4:48 left in the second, beating Fisher with a snap shot from the left circle.

The Thunder chipped away at the deficit early in the third period beginning with Justin Chwedoruk's seventh goal of the season at 1:17 to cut Phoenix's lead to 4-3 with a snap shot from the left wing that beat Kowalski under the crossbar. The RoadRunners' lead was in jeopardy at the middle part of the period but killed off a 5-on-3 Thunder power-play that lasted over a span of 1:40.

Urquhart finally leveled the score at 4-4 with his 11th goal of the season when he took Cleve Kinley's left goal-line pass and rifled a one-timer past Kowalski's blocker from the slot.

On the ensuing shift, the Thunder emerged from their own zone with speed on transition and Bates fed Urquhart at the right wing, who cut toward the goal and unleashed a backhander from the right circle that sent the crowd at U.S. Airways Center into stun and silence.

Phoenix was led offensively by veteran Kimbi Daniels and center Gino Guyer, who each had a pair of assists.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Marc-Andre Bernier (injured reserve), Ryan MacMurchy (injured reserve), Jordan Bendfeld (injured reserve), Mike Salekin (injured reserve), Matt O'Dette (injured reserve), Mike Lalonde (injured reserve), David Rohlfs (injured reserve) and Toby LaFrance (healthy) ... Bates dropped the gloves with Crowley at the 9:16 mark of the second period and both teams scrapped again on the ensuing faceoff, with Milan Maslonka battling Gord Burnett... the Thunder improved to 15-4-1 lifetime against the Phoenix RoadRunners ... the Thunder outshot Phoenix 39-25 ... Phoenix Suns star center Shaquille O'Neal was in attendance at the game.

The Thunder returns to play for its next game on Thursday, Jan. 8 against Phoenix RoadRunners at 6:05 p.m. from U.S. Airways Center, continuing a five-game road trip. 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/.



ECHL Stories from January 7, 2009


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