Utah leads best-of-five series, 2-1

Published on April 10, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Matt Reber's third period goal and an empty-netter by Marcus Carroll solidified a gradual three goal rally by the Utah Grizzlies, who defeated the Stockton Thunder, 4-2 Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals on Saturday night in front of 4,559 fans at Stockton Arena.

Despite tallying first on the scoreboard, Stockton lost two separate one-goal leads before the Grizzlies, who lead 2-1 in the best-of-five series, tied up the game on a key shorthanded goal by Hugo Carpentier in the second period. Jordan Fulton notched his second goal of the Kelly Cup Playoffs, while Ryan Constant earned his first of the postseason.

The Thunder must add to their total of three wins when facing elimination and win the last two games - both home at Stockton Arena on Sunday and Tuesday, to keep the 2010-11 season alive. They have never been eliminated on their own home ice.

"It's that time of year when you need to step up - and Utah did that tonight," said head coach Matt Thomas. "Our penalty kill isn't getting the job done and the short-handed goal was the back-breaker for us. It put too much pressure on the guys. But I'm confident in our group- all season long we've had a lot of bounce-back wins where we've battled back."

Simon Ferguson lead Utah's offense with a four point game (1g-3a) and J.P. Lamoureux made 27 saves to earn the win in net. Tyson Sexsmith took the loss with 19 stops.

The Thunder came out ready to rumble, scoring a quick goal at 1:18 after Chris Lawrence and Fulton created a 2-on-2 rush into Utah's zone. Lawrence maneuvered the puck around both defenseman and slid it to Fulton on his left, whose quick shot from the right circle gave Stockton the lead, 1-0.

Though they were unable to convert during a power play, the Grizzlies tied the game, 1-1 five seconds after a Garet Hunt penalty expired. Matt Sorteberg threw the puck wide from the right point, but the shot glanced off the stick of Simon Fergusion, who re-directed the puck over Tyson Sexsmith's right pad for his third goal of the playoffs.

During the second period, the Thunder got the man-advantage when Shea Guthrie took an interference penalty at 5:35. After taking a pass from defensive partner Jordan Bendfeld, Constant buried a slapshot from the point and regained Stockton's lead, 2-1. On the ensuing faceoff, the Grizzlies frustration was made evident as Nick Tuzzolino challenged Jason Pitton to a fight, and the two players dropped the gloves.

What started as a ripe power play opportunity for the Thunder ended up as a shorthanded goal by Hugo Carpentier at 14:01. The Grizzlies rushed the net and Matt Clarke, racing down the left wing, found Carpentier at the right post to tie the game 2-2.

Utah cashed in again at 6:05 of the third period, after Fulton received a minor boarding penalty. Kevin Deeth sent a quick cross-ice pass to his teammate Reber, who buried a one-timer at the left side of the net and boosted Utah to a 3-2 edge.

The Thunder's many scoring attempts were all thwarted by Lamoureux. Down to the last moments of the rally, Sexsmith skated to the bench to give Stockton an extra skater for the remaining 49 seconds of the game. However, Utah sealed the game by adding to their lead, with an empty net goal by Carroll off Ferguson's feed at 19:47 for a 4-2 advantage.

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