Thunder stymied in goaltending duel, Zatkoff stops 36 to Perugini's 20 saves

Published on March 8, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Rookie Bud Holloway broke a 1-1 tie with a game-winning goal at 9:33 of the third period and goaltender Jeff Zatkoff made 36 saves, helping the Pacific Division-leading Ontario Reign send the Stockton Thunder (29-29-5, 63 points) to a 2-1 defeat before 5,004 fans at Stockton Arena on Sunday.

The Thunder, who now enter a nine-day layoff and finished 5-4-0 in a stretch of playing nine games in 12 days, received its only goal from Mark Adamek. Dale Reinhardt was also credited with a goal for Ontario, who beat the Thunder for the fourth time in as many games at Stockton Arena.

Thunder rookie goaltender Andrew Perugini made 20 saves in the defeat.

Perugini and Zatkoff battled save-for-save in the opening 20 minutes, including a stop by Perugini on Tim Kraus' bid at the tail-end of a 3-on-2 rush. Zatkoff turned aside 15 Thunder shots, including a stretch of 1:44 of a 5-on-3 power-play.

Reinhardt was awarded his 10th goal of the season to put Ontario ahead 1-0 with 4:05 gone in the second period and Zatkoff continued to keep the Thunder at-bay with 29 stops through two periods, including a sprawling glove save on Ryan Huddy from the right circle.

Adamek broke a personal 87-game goal-scoring drought with his first of the season to level the score at 1-1 just 3:43 into the final period, who took Craig Valette's centering pass at the high slot and ripped a wrist shot through Zatkoff's five-hole.

Ontario responded with the eventual game-winner when Holloway picked up a rebound following David Walker's missed shot from the right point. Originally with his back to the goal, Holloway blindly spun to his forehand from above the left goal line and roofed a forehand shot under the crossbar for his 8th goal in 10 games since a reassignment from the AHL's Manchester Monarchs.

The Thunder played through a series of near-misses including a Cory Urquhart one-timer from the left circle that missed Zatkoff's blocker side, but Ontario escaped with the victory after Huddy's shot attempt of the left circle was nullified by a hook from the Reign's Darren McMillan.

The Reign, who are bidding to win the Pacific Division in its first season of existence, secured its eighth win in the last 11 games.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Marc-Andre Bernier (injured reserve), Jordan Bendfeld (injured reserve) and Martin Kubaliak (healthy) ... the Thunder were blanked at an 0-for7 rate on the power-play and outshot the Reign 37-22 ... Urquhart and Huddy were held scoreless and saw an end to their eight and seven-game scoring streaks, respectively ... the crowd of over 5,000 gave the Thunder a three-day, weekend attendance of over 19,000 fans.

The Thunder returns from a nine-day layoff on Wednesday, March 18 at Ontario, starting at 7:00 p.m. at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The game is available on radio at 1420 KSTN and online for viewing (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 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/.

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ECHL Stories from March 8, 2009


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