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Thunder posts wire to wire effort against defending champs

January 28, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Veterans Kevin Baker (2g-1a) and Matt Foy (1g-2a) each scored three points while goaltender Alex Stalock made 24 saves to lift the Stockton Thunder (19-18-4, 42 points) to a 6-3 victory over the Alaska Aces before 5,829 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday night.

The Thunder improved to 4-2-0 in the last six games and halted a six game losing skid to Alaska, dating back to last season. In his return to the lineup, Milan Kytnar earned two assists while Chris D'Alvise collected an assist in his season debut.

"We've been playing well lately," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "With the way things went in the three games at Alaska earlier this month, we came into this game with a chip on our shoulder. Anytime you add some new bodies into the lineup, guys respond to it and they're excited."

Matt Reber scored a goal and Max Campbell collected two points (1g-1a) in their home debut with the Thunder.

Colten Hayes opened the scoring on the power play by converting a drop pass by Matt Foy off the rush for his first goal of his career just six minutes into the game. Only 12 seconds later, Reber and Ian O'Connor jammed the net for a rebound and Reber was credited with his seventh goal of the season to hike the Thunder lead to 2-0.

A 5-on-3 power play goal by Baker, who stuffed a rebound by Adam Courchaine, built a 3-0 advantage with 6:32 elapsed in the second period after Chris D'Alvise was stopped on a one timer.

Bryan Miller responded with an Alaska power play goal with 10:01 left, slicing Alaska's deficit to two goals on his slap shot from between the circles after Stalock fended off two close bids by the Aces.

Baker's second goal of the game - again coming via a power play - restored the three goal cushion at 4-1 for the Thunder, when he converted Campbell's feed from the right corner buried a backhander past Courchaine's blocker from the base of the circle with 4:09 remaining.

Just 1:02 into the third period, Zach Harrison's fourth goal of the year came off the rush and got the Aces back to within a pair of goals on his snap shot at the left circle.

Campbell responded with his first goal in a Thunder jersey and third of the year by stashing a rebound at the left post with 12:18 remaining after Courchaine denied Baker's walk-out bid at the left circle.

Another Alaska man advantage goal drew them to a 5-3 deficit with 6:22 left in the game on Miller's second goal of the game - a converted one timer from the left point.

Alaska pulled Courchaine in the final two minutes to ignite a rally but the Thunder promptly cleared the zone, setting up Foy's empty net goal from the Alaska blueline with 1:29 to play.

The Thunder, who led wire to wire, erupted out of an 0-of-19 slump on the power play with a 3-of-6 effort in the game.

"We played well as a unit and won the special teams battle so it was important for everybody," said Thomas. "They were rewarded."

NOTES: Scratched for the game were Brock Matheson (healthy), Ryan Martindale (injured reserve), Tony DeHart (injured reserve), Gabriel Levesque (injured reserve), Jason Morgan (injured reserve), Sebastian Owuya (healthy) and Thomas Heemskerk (injured reserve) ... Stockton's previous win against Alaska was Mar. 4, 2011 ... the Thunder has scored 21 goals in the last four home games ... San Jose Sharks vice president and assistant general manager Wayne Thomas was in attendance ... Stalock improved to 3-0-0 for the first time in his pro career.

The Thunder returns to play tomorrow at home against the Alaska Aces, starting at 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena. The game will be carried on radio at 1280 KWSX and online coverage is available for viewing (pay-per-view video charge) and listening (free of 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 sixth consecutive season in 2010-11. Season Tickets for 2011-12 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/ .

THREE STARS

1. STK - 71 Kevin Baker

2. STK - 9 Max Campbell

3. AK - 15 Bryan Miller

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