Post Game: Thunder 4, Grizzlies 3

With a 5 minute major looming over most of the 3rd, the Grizzlies were unable to mount a comeback in this one goal game before time expired.

The Thunder struck first once again, but Utah grabbed one late in the period to tie things 1-1. Stockton responded less than a minute later and once more in the final minute of the 1st to regain the lead before the end of the 1st, 3-1. The Grizzlies had a very strong 2nd, picking up the only two goals in the period and collecting 22 SOG to the Thunder's 13. This left the teams tied 3-3 going into the final frame.

Stockton scored on the power play early in the 3rd to regain their lead, 4-3. Utah struggled with a comeback, but a 5 minute Galbraith minor ate up the middle of the period and time expired before the Grizzlies could score again.

From the official post game:

The Stockton Thunder defeated the Utah Grizzlies 4-3 in regulation Saturday night at the Stockton Arena. Stockton broke a 3-3 tie 3:49 into the third period as Oren Eizenman locked in a power-play goal with 17 seconds left to go on a Utah bench minor for too many men on the ice. [utahgrizzlies.com]

post game || Grizzlies Fall 4-3 in Stockton
highlights || Game Highlights 3/20/10 at Stockton
gamesheet || Utah at Stockton - 3/20/10
interview || Mikko Koshkinen 3/20/10 intermission
blog || Adrian Denny's game day blog


Scoring Summary:

STK B. Hemingway (7), 3:03 1st period (Hemingway, Constant); Thunder 1, Grizzlies 0
UTA J. Sixsmith (22), 15:54 1st period (Kinasewich, Nikiforov); Thunder 1, Grizzlies 1
STK J. Bates (24), 16:39 1st period (Hemingway, D'Alvise); Thunder 2, Grizzlies 1
STK C. D'Alvise (29), 19:07 1st period (Hemingway, Aiello); Thunder 3, Grizzlies 1
UTA R. Kinasewich (42), 11:47 2nd period (Hunter); Thunder 3, Grizzlies 2
UTA B. Kilburg (1), 17:53 2nd period (Kinasewich, Suda); Thunder 3, Grizzlies 3
STK O. Eizenman (20), 3:49 3rd period (Dacosta, Hemingway); Thunder 4, Grizzlies 3


What Worked Well: Killing the Galbraith penalty
Although the game winner came on a bench minor, we still have to say something about the way the PK unit killed off the 5 minute major in the 3rd period. Stockton was never able to set up properly on the man advantage, and the Grizzlies drew a penalty to even things up during the last minute of the kill.

What Could Have Been Better: Staying out of the box
Utah allowed 7 short handed situations during this contest with Stockton converting on 2 of those 7. The boys picked up 11 infractions including a game major and game misconduct from Galbraith nearing the end of the 3rd, and a bench minor which ended up in a power play, game winning goal for Stockton. Blah.

Who Made the Difference: Ryan Kinasewich
Ryan was a factor on all 3 Utah goals. Picking up 3 points (1g, 2a), Snatch tied with Hunter for 9 SOG this contest and ended the game with a +1. Kinasewich was the only Grizzly to have a multipoint game. He definitely carried the team tonight. Nicely done.


Stars of the Game:

1. STK - C. Hemingway
2. STK - A. Perugini
3. STK - O. Eizenman


Additional Notes:

> Ryan Kinasewich had a multiple point game tallying 1 goal and 2 assists in the match. The captain also extended his scoring streak.
> Mitch O'Keefe stopped 39 out of the 43 shots he saw in the losing effort.
> Brian Kilburg scored his first goal of the season tonight.
> Defenseman Chad Morin made his debut tonight after being signed to an ATO.