Thunder win sixth straight in front of 7,884 on Gongalsky's two goals

January 18, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Igor Gongalsky scored a pair of goals and goaltender Andrew Perugini made 27 saves to lift the Stockton Thunder (16-17-5, 37 points) to their sixth straight victory, 4-3 over the Idaho Steelheads on "Teddy Bear Toss Night," before a crowd of 7,884 at Stockton Arena on Saturday night.

Gongalsky was aided by goals from Mike Lalonde and Ryan Huddy, who increased his goal-scoring streak to five consecutive games. Idaho received goals from Marty Flichel, Darrell Hay and Mark Bomersback, who fell for the third time in five games. Stockton improved to 6-0-1 in its first seven games under Head Coach Matt Thomas.

Gongalsky's first period goal triggered the Stockton Arena crowd to shower the ice with stuffed animals, to be donated to the United Way of San Joaquin County. In the past three years of the event hosted by the Thunder, there have been 11,000 stuffed animals donated for the cause.

Idaho veteran Marty Flichel drew first blood at 4:24 of the opening period with his 10th goal of the year on a slapshot that beat Thunder goaltender Andrew Perugini from the right circle.

Defenseman Darrell Hay's power-play goal hiked Idaho's lead to 2-0 with 6:32 remaining in the first, converting a slapshot from the right point and putting it through traffic.

Gongalsky's first goal of the night at 16:35 ignited a shower of thousands of stuffed animals onto the ice with a power-play goal, cutting Idaho's lead to 2-1 on his eighth goal of the year. Gongalsky buried a one-timer from the low slot on a set-up by Judd Blackwater from behind the net.

The Thunder continued the rally into the second period with two goals in the first 4:09 of play, beginning with Lalonde's game-tying goal at 1:17, his 11th of the season. Lalonde finished a scramble at the goal mouth and parked a backhander past the glove of Matt Climie.

Huddy lifted the Thunder to their first lead at 3-2 when his power-play goal came from a rebound at the right circle, following Climie's stop on Craig Valette. It was Huddy's team-leading 21st goal and his fifth in three games.

The Thunder scored their fourth unanswered goal on Gongalsky's second of the game at 4:43 of the third period for his ninth of the season. Converting from a similar spot where his first goal was buried, Gongalsky stuffed a rebound past Climie's blocker and immediately followed by scrapping with Idaho defenseman Matt Stephenson after the heated battle for a loose puck.

Bomersback's eighth goal of the season narrowed the Thunder lead to 4-3 with 11:29 left in regulation when he threw a shot from a sharp-angle off a deflection, which averted its way through Perugini's five-hole.

The Steelheads sustained pressure in the final minutes of play and were awarded an end-zone faceoff with less than five seconds left, threatening to tie the game after Gongalsky was whistled for a boarding penalty. Flichel won the faceoff and drew the puck back to Ben Nelson, who was positioned at the high slot.

Nelson teed up a slapshot that missed the upper-part of the net and was steered away by Perugini's blocker, ending the game.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Marc-Andre Bernier (injured reserve), Ryan MacMurchy (injured reserve), Jordan Bendfeld (injured reserve), Matt O'Dette (injured reserve), David Rohlfs (injured reserve) and Jeff Kyrzakos (healthy) ... the Thunder improved to 12-14-2 lifetime against Idaho ... the Steelheads outshot the Thunder 30-27 ... it was the first time the Thunder won two straight games at home this season ... Stephenson was engaged in a previous scrap in the second period, battling Thunder rookie James Bates.

The Thunder returns to play for its next game on Sunday, Jan. 18 against the Idaho Steelheads at 4:00 p.m. from Stockton Arena. The game is available on radio and online (audio is free-of-charge) for viewing 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 January 18, 2009


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