The Thunder returned home to Stockton Arena tonight after a tough road loss to the Bakersfield Condors the day before. The 5-3 loss to Bakersfield broke the Thunder's ECHL streak of not having lost a road game in regulation.
Tonight the Thunder brought a great, energetic product to home ice, taking on the Utah Grizzlies. In net for Stockton was Garrett Zemlak, giving starting goalie Bryan Pitton a break after last night's loss. JP Lamoureux was goaltending for Utah.
Thunder center Marcus Watson, who before today was on a free-agent tryout agreement, played his first game tonight on a professional contract, and scored the opening goal at 5:47 of the first period. Shortly after, Stockton's Bretton Cameron added a goal to make the score 2-0.
Fraser Clair's powerplay goal in the second period put the Thunder up 3-0 and had Grizzlies goalie Lamoureux visibly exhibiting some frustration.
It was a spirited game in front of a crowd of 8,330. In the second period, Thunder left-winger Garet Hunt dropped the gloves with Grizzlies defenseman Matt Sorteberg. Garet was clearly the winner of that fight and both players were escorted to the penalty box charged with five minutes for fighting. Three minutes later, Garet Hunt's brother, Thunder defenseman Trevor Hunt, took on Grizzlies defenseman David Schulz.
Utah scored their first goal late in the second period from center Marcus Carroll on a powerplay. Carroll also brought the score to 3-2 by scoring another powerplay goal in the third period.
There was no love lost between the Stockton Thunder and Utah Grizzlies. According to the ECHL site, a total of 32 penalties were charged overall, including a 10-minute game misconduct for abuse of officials to Utah Grizzlies Matt Clarke after he slammed his stick on the glass while on his way to the penalty box to serve an interference call.
The score remained 3-2 despite opposing goalie Lamoureux being pulled for the extra attacker in the last seconds of the game. Thunder goalie Zemlak made 27 saves for the win.
I'm sure everyone has seen Linus Omark's shootout goal from last night (If you haven't, you can leave your Oilers card at the door). Having gotten to see him play live those 16 times, it felt pretty cool to see someone go and have success at the NHL level. Late last night, another OKC blogger, and someone who's gotten to be a pretty friend that just happened to have season tickets two rows behind mine, put up a pretty awesome post that pretty much sums up my feelings. She also reminded me of why I stick mostly with stats because of how my writing ability still lacks pretty bad. Candace Riley writes A New Ice Age. If you haven't seen it yet, she gives a pretty great recap and adds in pictures that she takes throughout the game. Go and check it out. So without further adieu, here's Candace's post.
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Not long after Tuesday night's game against Houston, the rumours started running hard and fast about the Oilers calling up a couple Barons players. The likely duo was named as Ryan O'Marra and Linus Omark. The rumour became truth early Wednesday afternoon. They were pulled off the ice during the Barons' outdoor practice and shuttled to Edmonton that afternoon/evening. They both played in their first game of the season with the Oilers Friday night. Ryan had seen time with the club last season, but this was Linus' first taste of the regular season big show. As it would turn out, one taste wasn't enough, apparently. Each one registered an assist during the 2nd period of a close game against Tampa Bay. Tampa led on a couple of occasions, but Edmonton fought back to take a 3-2 lead to the 3rd. Steven Stamkos would tie the game for the Lightning early in the 3rd. We arrived home from the Barons win over Manitoba, and we'd see it go to overtime, then finally a shootout. The Edmonton announcers on Rogers Sportsnet were pretty excited with speculation as to whether or not Oilers coach Tom Renney would put Linus in the shootout. I almost couldn't believe it when they said that, yes, he had made the list of 3. He would shoot third, behind Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall. Eberle scored on his attempt, and Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin stopped Marc Pouliot on his. Taylor Hall would be stopped by Dan Ellis, and the same for Steven Stamkos. Then, it was Linus' turn. He took a very quick run to the puck, but was stopped by the referee at center ice. Apparently in his excitement, or that of the entire crowd at Rexall Place, he hadn't waited for the whistle to go. On his second go.................................magic.
Already hoarse from the Barons game, Aaron & I both screamed loud enough to doom what was left of our voices, pretty much. JF Jacques was the first player off the bench to grab Linus, and the entire building was so loud I think it was shaking. I know *I* was....... It finally hit me a little while later................*THIS* is why we're here. The Barons. The fans. To support these guys on whatever journey their career might take them. Sure, I knew it and understood it before. But to be caught in that actual *moment* that takes your breath away.............seeing a guy's dream come true, is just almost too much joy for a heart to bear. I know Linus didn't want to be here. I know some things were said in interviews early on that may have been.....questionable. Some so-called fans tried to turn it against him. I. Don't. Care. I understood WHY. And now, tonight, we as fans were able to understand it and live it with him. Whether they play one game here, or an entire season, they'll always be "ours"....if only for fleeting moments. From then on, all joy and heartbreak will be shared by us all. It's positively heartwrenching to see them go, yet that's all you want for them....is to have their dreams come true. They may play one game up there, or we may never see them down here again.........NHL superstars and fixtures from then on. Linus may never do another thing in the NHL ever again, and it wouldn't matter. He still can say that he *owned* the night of December 10, 2010.....when he set all hockey related electronic media on fire and kicked it off stage. TOP THAT, he seemed to say. I watched a player named Rene Corbet score 2 goals in a Stanley Cup final game in early June, 1996 for the Colorado Avalanche. Who, you might ask? It doesn't matter......he was my favorite player, it happened, and I remember it.. And just like tonight..................it was magic. Linus, should lightning strike and you ever read this......I understand why you didn't want to be here. I accept that with all my heart. And after tonight, I hope I never see you back again. The hockey world belongs to you tonight, if only for this short, fleeting moment. I can only hope you grab it, hold on, and DON'T LET IT GO. Gratis, Linus...one more time.
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Be sure to check out Candace's Twitter, @SoonerPenguin. She's a Pens fan, but don't hold it against her. Thanks to Candace for letting me repost this.
Be sure to check out the Barons game starting in about an hour. You can listen on 1000 KTOK or follow along on Twitter, @AHLBarons. Barons will play again tomorrow in Milwaukee at 7 CST/ 6 MST.
Welcome to another fine edition of the Edmonton Oilers Beers & Jeers Game Recap. We hope you enjoy what we have to offer and that you find it useful. Or at least a little entertaining.
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TBL: R. Jones (05:03 - 1st) , R. Malone (PPG, 17:48 - 1st) , S. Stamkos (11:33 - 3rd)
EDM: M. Paajarvi (11:37 - 1st) , T. Hall (PPG, 05:46 - 2nd) , T. Gilbert (PPG, 16:30 - 2nd) , J. Eberle (00:00 - SO)
GOALIES
TBL: D. Ellis (L) EDM: N. Khabibulin (W)
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POWER PLAY
Tampa Bay Lightning - 1/5 for 20%
Edmonton Oilers - 2/3 for 67%
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PENALTY KILL
Tampa Bay Lightning - 2/3 for 33%
Edmonton Oilers - 1/5 for 80%
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FACEOFFS
Tampa Bay Lightning - 38/30 for 56%
Edmonton Oilers - 30/38 for 44%
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HIT/BODYCHECK COUNT
Tampa Bay Lightning - 12
Edmonton Oilers - 31
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GIVEAWAY TOTALS
Tampa Bay Lightning - 20
Edmonton Oilers - 25
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TAKEAWAY TOTALS
Tampa Bay Lightning - 14
Edmonton Oilers - 16
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BLOCKED SHOTS
Tampa Bay Lightning - 16
Edmonton Oilers - 28
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BEERS & JEERS PLAYER GRADES
The Cult of Hockey Grading System: 10 perfect game, 9 extraordinary, 8 great, 7 good, 6 above average, 5 average, 4 below average, 3 poor, 2 terrible, 1 deserves to be in minors.
#2JIM VANDERMEER - (5) He was not so good. He had a team high 4 giveaways and only one hit. He played 21:06 and did block 3 shots, but I just thought he looked a step behind.
#4TAYLOR HALL - (7)BEERS The kid can play. And score. His skating speed is very hard to stop and he seemed to have the jets burning all game long. He took 10 shots tonight including his wrap around goal, with 4 of those 10 shots hitting the net. Every 4th shot was from Hall. The team took 42 in all and 10 were Taylor's. He had 2 takeaways and even blocked a shot. He couldn't have played much better.
#5 LADISLAV SMID - (6) He was OK. He finished the night -1 but he played tough there for a while. He was trying to be physical and he did make a nice play in the 3rd to break up a scoring chance but he needs to find away to do that all the time. He made 3 hits and had 3 blocked shots, but also had 2 giveaways.
#6 RYAN WHITNEY - (6) He was pretty decent. I didn't notice any real bad giveaways from him (credited with 2 tonight). I do remember seeing him get caught out of position in the 2nd, but for the most part pretty safe plays. He took 1 shot and also had 3 blocked shots. He played 24:41.
#10 SHAWN HORCOFF - (0) DNP (Injured)
#13 ANDREW COGLIANO - (6) Cogs was OK. He played pretty hard and good things happened for him. He played just over 20 minutes and played well on the PK. Looking at the event summary, Cogliano has 1's all across the board. He went 8/11 for 42% on faceoffs. Good effort tonight.
#14 JORDAN EBERLE - (6)BEERS He plays smart. He does need to be more aggressive with shooting and going hard to the net. He needs no work on his play making skills, he has that down to a science. He had 1 shot and 2 takeaways. His shootout move was so slick. A little foot kick and a quick deke and it's in. He's credited with the shootout winner even though Omark stole the show.
#16 COLIN FRASER - (4) JEERS I'll be honest. I never really noticed him all that much. I'm not -- and I know I have tried -- a Fraser fan. I seen no point in keeping him around. O'Marra can do what he does, but better. Fraser had 1 shot, 1 hit and 2 giveaways in 9:49 of ice time.
#22 JF JACQUES - (4) He was OK. He tried to hit guys and he registered 3 on paper. He needs to rack up 6 or more hits a game like he used to.
#23 LINUS OMARK - (7)BEERS The kid earns an assist (his first ever NHL point) from a pretty sweet play to set up Gilbert and scores in the shootout with a spin-o-rama fake shot through the 5 hole to steal the show. WOW! What a show it was. He played 11:49 and had 1 shot, 2 takeaways and 2 blocked shots. While his defensive game needs work, he sure can move that puck. If he can play well again on Sunday, he may start to earn a permanent spot here
#26 KURTIS FOSTER - (7)BEERS I liked Foster. When he's doing something and he's productive, that's when he's on his game. Tonight he did a lot. He had 3 shots on goal (6 in total), 3 blocked shots, a hit and a takeaway.
#27 DUSTIN PENNER - (8)BEERS Penner had an edge to his game tonight and he really stood out as dominant. Omark was nailed hard and Penner stuck up for him and tussled with Kubina. That seemed to piss Penner off and after that he just bounced guys off of him. He assisted on Paajarvi's goal and created a ton of chances. Oh so close to the Gordie Howe hat trick. He had a fight, took 4 shots, had 4 hits and 2 blocked shots. I'd say a good night.
#28 RYAN JONES - (6) He was decent. From sheer hard work alone he made himself an opportunity shorthanded. He's playing the best we have seen him since he's been with the team. He had 4 hits.
#33 STEVE MACINTYRE - (0) DNP (Healthy Scratch)
#35 NIKOLAI KHABIBULIN - (8)BEERS He kept the team in this game long enough to win it in the shootout. He made some great saves and for the most part, kept the rebounds away from the front of the net. His focus seemed honed in as he made some saves, I had no idea how he seen them.
#40 DEVAN DUBNYK - (0) DNP (Backup)
#42 RYAN O'MARRA - (6) His season debut and he picks up an assist. I thought he was way more effective than Fraser was and if that keeps on going, I can see him replace Fraser when cuts need to be made. I liked his game tonight. His line was burned early on a goal, but most of that was nerves I'm sure. I doubt that line before the game started and while it wasn't a great line, it was OK. In 11:30 of ice time, he had 3 hits and 1 blocked shot. He went 4/8 for 33% on the faceoff dot.
#43 JASON STRUDWICK - (0) DNP (Healthy Scratch)
#46 ZACK STORTINI - (0) DNP (Healthy Scratch)
#49 THEO PECKHAM - (6)BEERS He plays such a hard hitting game. He had 5 hits tonight and was a wrecker. He also blocked 4 shots and played pretty good on the PK. He's really adapting well to the NHL. He keeps growing on me.
#67 GILBERT BRULE - (5) He was average. He took 1 shot, pounded 2 hits and had a giveaway. He's deserving his time on the 4th line.
#77 TOM GILBERT - (7)BEERS Is it me or is he playing like he's tough? He seems to be more physical and more in your face. Only in the game though, he still doesn't mix it up after a whistle. He scores a goal and plays a team high 26:02. He took one shot, had 1 hit, 3 takeaways and 1 blocked shot.
#83 ALES HEMSKY - (0) DNP (Injured Groin)
#89 SAM GAGNER - (6) His new line wasn't great. They didn't flat out suck either. Sam had a rough go with 3 giveaways and only had 1 shot, but he did go 10/10 for 50% on faceoffs. That's damn good, for Gagner. He had PP and PK time tonight.
#91 MAGNUS PAAJARVI - (7)BEERS Another good game. He scores a goal and has an assist for the 2nd star of the game. While he wasn't blowing minds with you tube antics, he played a good solid game. He had 2 shots and a giveaway. Nice to see all the kids taking a turn becoming a hero.
The Oilers Bench - Imagine this. Overtime. The Oilers are tied and what happens? The puck goes to the guy that's coming on and the guy going off is lolly gagging to the bench. Tweet! Too Many Men. In Overtime! Lucky the Bolts didn't score and the Oilers went on to win in the shootout.
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GAMES 3 STARS
1st: NIKOLAI KHABIBULIN
2nd: MAGNUS PAAJARVI
3rd: ADAM HALL
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