Urquhart Buries Goal for National Conference

Published on January 21, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


READING, Pennsylvania - Stockton Thunder veteran center Cory Urquhart scored a first period goal and was one of five goal scorers for the National Conference, who were defeated 11-5 by the American Conference at the 2009 ECHL All-Star Game presented by Guardian Wear before an announced crowd of 5,693 at Sovereign Center on Wednesday.

Urquhart ripped a one-timer past goaltender Kris Mayotte of Johnstown with 2:07 left in the first period on a feed by Alaska Aces forward Colin Hemingway, capping off a three-goal first period for the National Conference. The Thunder were also represented on the ice by rookie forward Ryan Huddy, who registered a team-leading seven shots-on-goal.

Thunder head coach Matt Thomas was behind the National Conference bench for the second ECHL All-Star coaching honor of his career.

Matthew Ford of Charlotte, who was named Most Valuable Player of the All-Star Game, and Kevin Baker of Florida each scored three goals and four points to lead the American Conference in scoring.

The 11 goals by the American Conference tie the record for most goals set by the Canada All-Stars in 1998 at Lafayette, La. and the six-goal margin of victory ties the record set by the Northern All-Stars in their 8-2 win at Estero, Fla. in 2003. The combined 16 goals mark the fourth-most total in All-Star history.

Trailing 3-1 after the first period, the American Conference scored five goals in the second and third periods while David Leggio of Florida stopped 10 of 11 shots in the second to pick up the win and Michal Neuvirth of South Carolina turned aside 19 of 20 shots in the third to preserve the win.

The five goals in a period equals the All-Star record set by the West All-Stars in 1995 at Greensboro, N.C. and tied by the Canada All-Stars at the 1998 game at Lafayette, La. The American Conference scored three goals in a span of 1:19 in the third period, breaking the record for fastest three goals of 1:50 set by the West All-Stars in 1995 at Greensboro, N.C. The American Conference scored the first two goals of the third 18 seconds apart to equal the third-fastest two goals by the Southern All-Stars in 1999 at Biloxi, Miss.

The two teams combined for 98 shots which are the second-most shots by both teams in an All-Star Game, behind only the 110 shots in the 1994 game at Norfolk, Va. The 26 shots by the American Conference in the second period tied the record for second-most shots in a period set by the Eastern All-Stars at the game in Peoria, Ill. in 2004 while the 54 shots by the American Conference tied the record for third-most shots set by the Eastern All-Stars in 2004.

The Thunder returns to play after the All-Star break for its next game on Friday, Jan. 23 against the Phoenix RoadRunners at 7:30 p.m. from Stockton Arena. The game is available on radio at 1420 KSTN and online (audio is free-of-charge) for viewing for a $7 charge at http://www.stocktonthunder.com/ (courtesy of B2 Networks).

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ECHL Stories from January 21, 2009


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