ANCHORAGE – Veteran Wes Goldie collected a hat trick, Brian Swanson scored twice and the Alaska Aces used five power-play goals to defeat the Stockton Thunder (12-6-4, 28 points), 8-3, before 3,016 fans at Sullivan Arena on Wednesday night.
The Thunder, who took just their second road defeat in regulation this year (6-2-2) and still maintained a first place tie in the Pacific Division with Las Vegas, lost an early 1-0 lead which turned into a four-goal deficit in the first period, when the Aces scored four times on a five-minute major power-play.
Mark Arcobello paced the Thunder offense with a career-high three points (2g-1a)
Mark Arcobello scored two goals and added an assist to lead the Thunder in scoring. Anthony Aiello added a power-play goal in the third period. Gerald Coleman picked up the win for Alaska with 29 saves in net.
Arcobello broke the scoreless tie just 4:25 into the game with a shorthanded goal after stripping the Alaska defenseman Steve Ward at center ice, racing on a breakaway and beating Coleman with a forehand to the glove side.
Alaska answered 58 seconds later with Ethan Cox’s turnaround shot that beat Bryan Pitton to the blocker side from the right circle. The game’s momentum took a sharp turn after Chris Lawrence was handed a five-minute major penalty for boarding, opening the door for a four-goal rally for Alaska in a span of 4:18.
Goldie responded at 11:42 with a backhander from beneath the hash marks, over Pitton for the first power-play goal on a five-minute major and a 2-1 lead for Alaska.
Kory Falite then got a piece of Chad Anderson’s shot from the high slot with 12:53 gone in the period, boosting the Aces lead to 3-1.
Just 57 seconds later, a Bryan Miller wrist shot from the left circle inflated the Aces lead to 4-1, firing his third goal of the season over Pitton’s shoulder.
Swanson buried the final goal of the Alaska power-play, in the slot with 3:10 left in the period for a 5-1 lead.
After replacing Pitton with Garrett Zemlak, the Thunder turned the second period around for a 12-10 shots advantage and cut the deficit to 5-2 when Arcobello scored his second goal of the game, off a relay from Garet Hunt when he beat Coleman with a wrist shot from inside of the right circle.
Just 56 seconds into the final period, Goldie put the Thunder back in a four-goal hole with his second of the game, stashing a backhander from the deep slot after jumping on turnover.
Aiello cut the gap back to three goals at 6-3 when his power-play goal, coming at 4:57, completed an Arcobello feed to the right goal post.
Goldie’s hat trick, on a wraparound to the forehand, put Alaska up 7-3 with 8:39 elapsed after converting a Scott Howes pass at the right circle. Swanson closed the scoring on Alaska’s fifth power-play goal with 4:21 left, finishing Goldie’s pass at the right goal line with a re-direction past Zemlak’s left pad.
Pitton, who was in net for the eventual game-winning goal, took the loss with just eight stops. Zemlak finished with 18 saves in 44 minutes between the pipes.
NOTES: The Thunder scratched Chase Ryan (healthy), Trevor Hunt (healthy), Jim McKenzie (injured reserve), Tyson Sexsmith (injured reserve) and Craig Valette (injured reserve) … Alaska’s five goals in the first period set a Thunder record for most goals scored by an opponent in one period … Alaska finished with a 34-32 shots advantage … the Thunder went 1-for-4 on the power-play … Stockton took just its third loss in regulation at Sullivan Arena dating back to 2007-08, dropping to 8-3-1 in the last 12 games in Anchorage.
The Thunder returns to play for its next game on the road, visiting Alaska on Friday at Sullivan Arena, starting at 8:15 p.m. The game can be heard on radio at 1280 AM 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 “Award of Excellence,” 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. AK – 16 Wes Goldie
2. AK – 27 Brian Swanson
3. STK – 21 Mark Arcobello
Congratulations to forward Curtis Hamilton and goaltender Olivier Roy as they were both selected to represent Team Canada at the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championship.
We should be proud of these two players as some very, very good players were cut this morning including Red Deer Rebels foward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
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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TOR: D. Phaneuf (05:55 - 1st) , M. Grabovski (PPG, 08:28 - 2nd) , K. Versteeg (17:38 - 2nd) , P. Kessel (PPG, 09:47 - 3rd)
EDM: J. Eberle (11:45 - 1st)
GOALIES
TOR: J. Giguere (W) EDM: N. Khabibulin (L)
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POWER PLAY
Toronto Maple Leafs - 2/5 for 40%
Edmonton Oilers - 0/4 for 0%
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PENALTY KILL
Toronto Maple Leafs - 4/4 for 100%
Edmonton Oilers - 3/5 for 60%
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FACEOFFS
Toronto Maple Leafs - 27/24 for 53%
Edmonton Oilers - 24/27 for 47%
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HIT/BODYCHECK COUNT
Toronto Maple Leafs - 18
Edmonton Oilers - 22
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GIVEAWAY TOTALS
Toronto Maple Leafs - 17
Edmonton Oilers - 23
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TAKEAWAY TOTALS
Toronto Maple Leafs - 6
Edmonton Oilers - 8
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BLOCKED SHOTS
Toronto Maple Leafs - 14
Edmonton Oilers - 17
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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 - (0) DNP (Injured)
#4TAYLOR HALL - (7)BEERSHe was the best Oiler tonight by a long shot. He took 8 of the 24 shots. Sure he was -1, but who cares when you show the effort like he did? He had a cheap shot to the face from Phaneuf and took a big hit earlier. That didn't slow him down none. I love this kid. He's a winner.
#5 LADISLAV SMID - (4) He didn't do a whole lot. He failed to bring his nasty side out. He played 19:12 and only had one hit.
#6 RYAN WHITNEY - (6) He did what he could. He picked up an assist with a nice play to keep the puck in the zone. He played 26:22 and on;y had a hit and a blocked shot. Oh.. he did have 3 giveaways too.
#10 SHAWN HORCOFF - (0) DNP (Injured)
#13 ANDREW COGLIANO - (6) I liked his effort and he really tried to make things happen. He played 18:54 and had 2 shots, 3 hits and went 7/8 for 47% on faceoffs.
#14 JORDAN EBERLE - (6)BEERS He scored the only Oilers goal with a beauty of a shot. Top shelf from right up close. That had me fired up. He took 3 shots and had 1 takeaway.
#16 COLIN FRASER - (3) JEERS He played limited minutes tonight playing only 8:32. He didn't really contribute much to this game. He went 2/4 for 33% on faceoffs. If he can't do that well, then why is he needed. Play O'Marra in his place.
#22 JF JACQUES - (0) DNP (Healthy Scratch)
#23 LINUS OMARK - (4) He was given PP time and couldn't cash in. Renney gave him 16:45 in ice time and only managed 1 shot. He also had 1 giveaway. I'll give him more time, but other than that shootout goal 2 games ago, he's not doing anything to impress me.
#26 KURTIS FOSTER - (6) He was decent. No real complaints from me. He played 18:28 and had 2 shots, 1 hit, and 2 blocked shots. He also had a giveaway.
#27 DUSTIN PENNER - (6) Penner used his big body well tonight. He held off the Leafs a few times including a penalty kill where he kept the puck on his stick while the l\Leafs tried to take it from him. He does need to screen the goalie on the PP though. For some reason I seen him on the half wall a few times. Was that his idea or Renney's? He played 20:34 and had 1 shot, 1 hit, 2 giveaways, 1 takeaway, 2 blocked shots and went 3/3 for 50% on faceoffs.
#28 RYAN JONES - (4) He was pretty average. He had 2 shots, 2 hits, 1 giveaway and 1 blocked shot. I can't really complain about his play tonight. Decent enough.
#33 STEVE MACINTYRE - (4)He was somewhat effective. He didn't make Phaneuf not be a knob and he didn't stop Orr from anything (other than when they were both tossed for pushing each other in the 3rd). I did notice he skates better. He's not so choppy on the ice. Glad to see some improvement. He had 2 hits (on paper) and had 2 giveaways. He had 2 hits (on paper) and had 2 giveaways. He had 2 hits (on paper) and had 2 giveaways. He had 2 hits (on paper) and had 2 giveaways. He had 2 hits (on paper) and had 2 giveaways.
#35 NIKOLAI KHABIBULIN - (5) Not so good. He gave up some weak goals and he made me wish that Dubnyk had another start tonight. Not sure what else to say about him.
#40 DEVAN DUBNYK - (0) DNP (Backup)
#42 RYAN O'MARRA - (0) DNP (Healthy Scratch)
#43 JASON STRUDWICK - (5) Oy! He unfortunately had one of the goals hit him as it went in. He was OK, but not worth paying for for the whole season. He better be really good in the dressing room because I see no need to keep this guy. He had an own goal, 1 hit, 1 giveaway, 1 takeaway, and 1 blocked shot. Luckily Renney limited his ice time to 13:19.
#46 ZACK STORTINI - (4) He had a scrap with Orr and to my eyes, it was boring as hell. But if you follow any of the Oilers guys, they all said it was a good one. I disagree. He had 2 hits and that's about it. He also went 1/1 for 50% on faceoffs. Glad to see him back in the lineup. If Renney would give him a chance, he's more than a plugger who fights.
#49 THEO PECKHAM - (6) He nailed Phaneuf pretty good and I was hoping he was going to hurt him. He did challenge Dion to a fight, but he pussed out. He had 3 hits, 2 giveaways, 1 takeaway and 2 blocked shots. He could have played a little tougher. Don't ask, just beat the crap out of the guy.
#67 GILBERT BRULE - (5) Two games in a row that he tried to be physical. He had 1 shot, 3 hits and 1 blocked shot. He went 3/5 for 38% on faceoffs. What happened there? He used to be good at faceoffs.
#77 TOM GILBERT - (6) He was good. He played 22:58 and he had 2 shots, 3 giveaways, 2 takeaways and a team high 4 blocked shots. Nobody blocks more shots on the Oilers than Gilbert does. I admire him for that.
#83 ALES HEMSKY - (0) DNP (Injured Groin)
#89 SAM GAGNER - (6) He started out the game on fire with the kids but cooled off int he 2nd period. His pass to Eberle was sweet and I figured he was going to have a strong game after that. I was wrong. He had 1 shot, 1 giveaway and 2 blocked shots. Meh! He can be better than what he showed tonight.
#91 MAGNUS PAAJARVI - (4) He tried. He had 1 shot and a giveaway. Not much to say about MPS. He played 13:32 and took a Bad Timing Penalty that resulted in the Leafs 4th goal.
Too Many Men & The Magnus Paajarvi Penalty - MacIntyre's penalty, to me, was questionable. It was barely a cheap shot on Armstrong. Right after that penalty was killed off, the Oilers took a too many men penalty. Terrible mistake on their part. But the kicker was the Paajarvi penalty. The Leafs scored the 4th goal while he was sitting in the box.
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