Walker nets game-winner on power-play, Thunder ends road trip 2-1-2

Published on February 17, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


ONTARIO, Calif. - David Walker's fourth goal of the year in sudden death overtime, a one-timer at the left circle, helped the Ontario Reign escape and defeat the Stockton Thunder (25-15-9, 59 points), 2-1, at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Wednesday night.

The Thunder, who completed a five-game road trip at 2-1-2, helped forced overtime on Fraser Clair's 14th goal of the season in the third period. Ontario goaltender Beau Erickson made 27 saves for the win.

Both teams played through a scoreless first period, with the Thunder's best chance coming on a Fraser Clair re-direction at the goal mouth that Beau Erickson stopped with a kick save.

Shawn Germain missed minutes later on a chance to put Ontario ahead, when his wrist shot from between the circles ricocheted off the left goal post past Bryan Pitton.

Shawn Collymore's 16th goal of the season broke the scoreless tie with 12:17 left in the second period, who slipped off a check at the left circle, stickhandled into the slot and buried a wrist shot past Pitton's glove.

Erickson withstood a Thunder attack in the last minute of play, stopping a backdoor play for Czuy at the right goal post, whose deke the backhand was nullified by Erickson's poke check.

The game took a turn when Justin Taylor collided with Pitton, knocking the goaltender out of the game with less than 16 minutes remaining in the third period. Goaltender Zane Kalemba replaced Pitton, who stopped the first shot he saw on a Shawn Germain wrister from the high slot.

Ontario then fired a dump-in at Kalemba from center ice, which took a bounce off the goaltender's arm and nearly went in to the net behind him until defenseman Jody Pederson swiped the puck out of the crease.

Immediately on a counterattack, Clair's 14th goal of the season tied the game, 1-1 at 12:22 of the third period when he stashed a rebound to complete a 3-on-2 break, after Chase Ryan was denied on a wrist shot from the right circle.

The Thunder earned a late power-play when Garet Hunt drew a high stick from Erickson, but successive penalties by Dan Ringwald and Kelly Czuy gave Ontario a 4-on-3 power-play. Walker cashed in with his fourth goal of the season to end the game with 2:59 left in overtime, burying a one-timer at the left circle to complete Jordan Morrison's cross-ice feed.

Kalemba, who stopped five shots, took the overtime loss and moved his record to 3-0-2. Pitton made 21 stops before exiting with the injury.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Jordan Bendfeld (healthy), Ryan Constant (injured reserve), Jordan Foreman (injured reserve) and Jesse Gimblett (healthy) ‚¬Â¦ the Thunder outshot Ontario, 30-28 and haven't lost in regulation to the Reign since Oct. 15, 2010, moving the series record to 6-1-2 ‚¬Â¦ Stockton ran its unbeaten streak in regulation in Ontario to 4-0-1, dating back to the 2009-10 season.

The Thunder returns to play Friday at home, hosting the Victoria Salmon Kings at Stockton Arena beginning at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard on radio at 1280 KWSX and viewed live on the internet (pay-per-view video charge) at www.StocktonThunder.com, courtesy of AmericaOne.

A two-time recipient of the ECHL ‚¬Å“Award of Excellence, ‚¬Â Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew over 200,000 fans for the fifth consecutive season in 2009-10. Season Tickets, mini-plans and individual tickets for 2010-11 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/.

THREE STARS:

1. ONT - 1 Beau Erickson

2. ONT - 27 David Walker

3. STK - 9 Fraser Clair

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