Thunder Sweeps Alaska And Wins Fifth In A Row

Published on December 14, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Center Oren Eizenman's pair of goals and goaltender Andrew Perugini's 37 saves were enough to help the Stockton Thunder (10-11-3, 23 points) become just the second team in seven seasons to sweep the Alaska Aces in a three-game series at Sullivan Arena, winning 4-3 before 4,334 fans in Anchorage on Sunday.

The Thunder, who received the game-winning goal and a two-point (1g-1a) effort from rookie defenseman Anthony Aiello, increased their winning streak to five straight games and improved to 8-2-1 in the last 11 all-time games at Sullivan Arena.

Stockton moved to one point behind the Aces for fifth place in the National Conference.

Bryan Leitch put the Aces on the board, 1-0 with a wrist shot from between the circles at 3:50 of the opening period for his fourth goal of the season, but the Thunder answered with three unanswered goals in the frame, two by Eizenman.

Eizenman's converted rebound at 12:03 tied the game in the first period and he followed up with a centering pass from the right corner that bounced off the back of goaltender Scott Reid and into the back of the net at 15:19, lifting the Thunder to a 2-1 lead.

Blackwater's snap shot that beat Reid under crossbar put the Thunder ahead 3-1 with 3:07 left in the period, eventually lifting Reid at the end of the first period in place of backup, Sebastien Dahm. Before the end of the period, Perugini made a highlight-reel save on Alexandre Imbeault, whose rebound bid at the left goal post was denied by a right pad stop.

Perugini matched Dahm save-for-save in the second period, stopping 13 Alaska shots.

Aiello put the Thunder ahead 4-1 at 12:07 of the third period on a power-play goal when he wired a snap shot from the left circle for the first goal of his pro career.

The Aces embarked on the late rally beginning with Alexandre Imbeault's center ice dump-in that errantly caromed off Perugini's glove and into the net with 7:04 left in the game, cutting the deficit to 4-2.

T.J. Fast's slapshot from the high slot made its way through traffic with 2:27 left in the game for a 5-on-3 power-play goal, cutting the Thunder lead to 4-3, but Stockton killed off the waning minutes of a Justin Dacosta penalty to preserve the win.

Dahm, who was in net for the eventual game-winning goal, took the loss by making 27 saves.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Matt O'Dette (injured reserve), Garet Hunt (injured reserve), Riley Emmerson (healthy), Craig Valette (injured reserve) and Bobby Davey (healthy)... Alaska was missing forward Matt Stefanishion, ranked fourth on Alaska with 10 goals... the Thunder pelted 17 shots on goal in the third period and outshot the Aces, 42-40... the Thunder moved the season series record to 3-0-2 against Alaska.

The Thunder returns to play for the seven-game road trip on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre to face the Victoria Salmon Kings at 7:05 p.m. The game can be heard on radio at 1420 KSTN and viewed online at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

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 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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