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Thunder streaks to best record in ECHL

November 19, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Goaltender Garrett Zemlak made 34 saves and stopped four of five shooters in a shootout, winning in his debut with the Stockton Thunder (8-1-3, 19 points) in a 3-2 shootout victory over the Idaho Steelheads at Stockton Arena on Thursday night.

The Thunder, who hasn't lost in regulation since Oct. 15, tied a club record 11-game unbeaten streak (8-0-3) and moved into a tie for the best record in the ECHL, shared with Gwinnett and Elmira. Mark Arcobello and Bretton Cameron each scored for the Thunder, who neutralized a late, game-tying goal by John Swanson with 51 seconds remaining.

"The guy we needed to be the best player on the ice was Garrett Zemlak and he came through for us tonight," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "We needed for him to hold up his end of the bargain and he went above and beyond. I liked his poise and how he took control in the shootout. We're not thrilled we gave up a point, but we're still happy that we're found a way to win another game. That's all that counts."

Arcobello's slap shot put the Thunder ahead, 1-0 with 8:08 left in the first period. With Steve Vanoosten heading toward the net to set a screen, Arcobello pulled up from 50 feet and fired his shot from the left wing, past the blocker side of Mike Zacharias.

Idaho leveled the score, 1-1 at 10:13 of the second period on Kael Mouillierat's eighth goal of the season. After Idaho kept the puck in the zone, Mark Derlago fed Mouillierat in the right corner, who walked out behind the Thunder defense, deked to the forehand and slipped a shot past Zemlak's blocker.

Cameron restored the Thunder lead on a power-play goal with 4:25 left in the second, pounding a rebound past Zacharias at the top of the crease after Steve Vanoosten missed on a one-timer at the high-slot.

Zemlak helped preserve the lead when he denied Derlago on the ensuing shift, flaring the blocker out on Derlago's wrist shot from between the circles.

Idaho responded to tie the game late in regulation after pulling Zacharias for an extra attacker. Following a dump-in to the right corner, Weston Tardy produced a rebound after Zemlak stopped his shot from the right circle. Swanson followed up and snuck the rebound, in traffic, through Zemlak's five-hole with 51 seconds left.

Following a scoreless overtime, including a near-miss by Fraser Clair to a half-open net at the left goal post, the Thunder cornered Idaho with a first round shootout goal from Anthony Aiello and Chris D'Alvise's fourth round shootout bid that beat Zacharias past his blocker.

Zemlak sealed the game in the final round when he denied Steve Oleksy on a forehand wrist shot at the glove side.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Tyson Sexsmith (injured reserve), Chase Ryan (injured reserve), Craig Valette (injured reserve), Jesse Gimblett (four-game suspension) and Garet Hunt (two-game suspension) ... the Thunder converted, 1-for-3 on the power-play and held Idaho, who was ranked #1 in ECHL power-play percentage, to an 0-for-4 clip ... Arcobello now has a point in four of the last five games ... Stockton's record-tying unbeaten streak now matches with an 11-0-0 win streak, set back in 2006-07 ... Stockton improved to 5-1-1 at home and has gone to a shootout in three of four games against Idaho this season (2-1).

The Thunder continues its five game homestand at Stockton Arena for its next game on Saturday against the Idaho Steelheads at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard and viewed live on the internet (pay-per-view video 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/.

THREE STARS:

1. STK - 34 Garrett Zemlak

2. STK - 11 Bretton Cameron

3. STK - 21 Mark Arcobello

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