Post Game: Thunder 6, Grizzlies 5 (OT)

This was a tough one, but the Grizzlies were able to pick up a point in the loss. Utah came from behind to tie the game twice, then take the lead twice, only to lose in overtime during a short handed situation.

Stockton dominated the initial period, tallying 18 shots to Utah's 10 and scoring the first goal on the power play. Lance Galbraith responded at 13:16 of the 1st with a Utah power play goal. The Thunder regained the lead to end the period 2-1. However, the Grizzlies added a Kinasewich goal 1:05 into the 2nd to tie things once again before Stockton responded, 3-2. Utah mounted another comeback, adding a goal midway through the 2nd from Perry, then another at 16:07 from Sixsmith to take the lead and end the period 4-3 for Utah. Stockton evened it once again on the power play, and after than we're not sure what happened, but Carpentier and Stockton's Hunt declared it time for fisticuffs and threw in some death threats for good measure. Captain Kinasewich regained the lead for the Grizzlies with their own power play goal, 5-4. The Thunder were not to be ignored, picking up one more on the man advantage to send things into overtime, 5-5.

Utah fought to kill a 4-on-3 short-handed situation from a penalty at the end of the 3rd, but to no avail. Stockton scored the sudden death game-winner just 0:45 into overtime to end the game 6-5 in their favor.

From the official post game:

The Stockton Thunder (28-24-2-6) scored a power-play goal 45 seconds into overtime to defeat the Utah Grizzlies (27-25-3-5) 6-5 before 4,910 at the E-Center Saturday night. [utahgrizzlies.com]

post game || Stockton Takes Overtime Contest 6-5
highlights || Game Highlights 3/13/10 vs Stockton
gamesheet || Stockton at Utah 3/13/10
photos || 3/13/10 - Utah Grizzlies vs Stockton Thunder
interview || Kevin Colley 3/13/10 post game
interview || Malcolm MacMillan 3/13/10 intermission
blog || Adrian Denny's game day blog


Photo of the Game:

2nd period - Tim Crowder speeds after the puck.

Additional Photos: [Flickr]



Scoring Summary:

STK O. Eizenman (18), 6:16 1st period (Dacosta); Thunder 1, Grizzlies 0
UTA L. Galbraith (16), 13:16 1st period (MacMillan, Aston); Thunder 1, Grizzlies 1
STK M. Robinson (23), 16:05 1st period; Thunder 2, Grizzlies 1
UTA R. Kinasewich (35), 1:05 2nd period (Perry, Hunter); Thunder 2, Grizzlies 2
STK J. Bates (22), 8:42 2nd period (D'Alvise, Robinson); Thunder 3, Grizzlies 2
UTA A. Perry (23), 9:04 2nd period (Kinasewich, Hunter); Thunder 3, Grizzlies 3
UTA J. Sixsmith (20), 16:07 2nd period (Galbraith, Crowder); Thunder 3, Grizzlies 4
STK C. D'Alvise (25), 2:12 3rd period (Aeillo, Robinson); Thunder 4, Grizzlies 4
UTA R. Kinasewich (36), 4:02 3rd period (Aston, Sixsmith); Thunder 4, Grizzlies 5
STK R. Constant (6), 5:35 3rd period (Eizenman, Cauldron); Thunder 5, Grizzlies 5
STK M. Robinson (24), 0:45 OT (D'Alvise, Bates); Thunder 6, Grizzlies 5


What Worked Well: Perry-Hunter-Kinasewich
We absolutely love this group together. As much as we enjoy (we were going to say adore, but the love theme was a little too much for us) James Sixsmith (who really makes any line work), this is The Line for the Grizzlies. They work like a well-oiled machine and make things happen. If you want to see a gorgeously executed goal, make sure you're watching when these boys are on the ice.

What Could Have Been Better: Controlling rebounds
We saw a lot of good opportunities fall flat because nobody was in position to get the rebound. Not only did this cut down on scoring chances, but more often than not, the boys would get one shot off, then head back down to defend in their own end as Stockton picked up the puck. Do it better.

Who Made the Difference: Brock Wilson
While it seems an unlikely pick due to the offensive domination of this game, Wilson (and also Sorteberg) was constantly in place to cover up holes in the net, snatch up Stockton's rebounds, and push the puck out of the defensive zone. We really noticed a great defensive presence from both Wilson and Sorteberg on the ice during their shifts. Nicely done.


Stars of the Game:

1. UTA - R. Kinasewich
2. UTA - J. Sixsmith
3. STK - M. Robinson


Additional Notes:

> James Sixsmith continues to push his scoring streak higher; he currently sits at 13 games.
> Beau Erickson saw a crazy 44 shots during the match. He stopped 38 of those.
> Six Grizzlies had multipoint games: Ryan Kinasewich (2g, 1a), James Sixsmith (1g, 1a), Peter Aston (2a), AJ Perry (1g, 1a), Lance Galbraith (1g, 1a), and Dylan Hunter (2a).
> Captain Kinasewich seems to be back in the swing of things, leading the team with 2 goals, 1 assist and 8 SOG.
> We weren't really happy with the way the game was called, and listening to the post game, it sounds like everyone on the Utah end concurs.
> Not only did Hunt and Carpentier get into it through the plexiglass, but it sounds like Kevin Colley and Stockton Head Coach Matt Thomas did as well. Fisticuffs!