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Thunder victimized by Murray's 26 saves, first shutout in Reign history

December 7, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - John Murray made 26 saves for the first shutout in Ontario Reign history and helped send the Stockton Thunder (8-10-3, 19 points) to a 4-0 loss before a crowd of 8,174 at Stockton Arena on Saturday night.

It was the first time the Thunder suffered a shutout in the 2008-09 season, who were victimized by two-point efforts from Geoff Walker (1g-1a) and Dusty Collins (1g-1a). Thunder rookie goaltender Andrew Perugini countered with a 21-save effort in the defeat.

Ontario jumped out to a 2-0 lead after one period, staring with Todd Jackson's fourth goal of the season just 2:24 into the game. Jackson cleaned up a second chance rebound through a screen after Perugini stopped Collins' initial bid below the hash marks.

Collins followed up a rebound behind the Thunder defense off an end-zone faceoff and stuffed a rebound past the blocker of Perugini at 7:10 to hike Ontario's lead to 2-0.

Following a string of two quality scoring chances by the Thunder to open the second period, veteran Brad Mehalko stretched the lead to 3-0 on his fourth goal of the season at 4:26. Mehalko cleaned up a rebound from the left circle after Perugini denied David Walker's bid from the right wing.

Geoff Walker's eighth goal of the season at 5:24 of the third period put the finishing touches on the Reign effort on a 5-on-4 tally. Walker redirected Andrew Martens' backdoor feed from the right point into an open net.

Murray stopped all 11 shots by the Thunder in the third period, picking up the second shutout of his career.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Marc-Andre Bernier (injured reserve), Ryan MacMurchy (injury, day-to-day) and Jordan Bendfeld (injured reserve) ... the Thunder power-play went silent for the first time in five games and was held to an 0-for-4 clip ... Mike Lalonde registered a game-high six shots on goal ... the Thunder suffered their first shutout loss at home since Feb. 28, 2007 when the Cincinnati Cyclones defeated the Thunder 5-0.

The Thunder return to play tomorrow with a 5:05 p.m. road game against the Fresno Falcons at Selland Arena. The game is available on radio at 1420 KSTN and for viewing on the internet 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 December 7, 2008


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