KUZNETSOV'S LATE GOAL LIFTS KINGFISH PAST THUNDER

STOCKTON, Calif., -- Dmitry Kuznetsov broke a 1-1 tie with 2:45 remaining in the third period, and the Baton Rouge Kingfish began their seven-game road trip with a win, 3-1, over the Stockton Thunder at Adventist Health Arena.

After a scoreless first period, Stockton opened the scoring 6:36 into the middle frame, capitalizing just nine seconds after a successful penalty kill. However, four minutes later, Sam Turner rushed up the ice and found Kodiak Whiteduck in front of the net for his first goal of the season. The game headed to the third period deadlocked at one goal apiece.

Ed Coffey played his best game of the season and was particularly tremendous in the third period. Coffey made 33 saves on 34 shots and turned aside all 13 attempts he faced in the third period to earn his fourth victory of the year.

With less than three minutes remaining in the game, Scott Shorrock won a critical offensive zone faceoff for the Kingfish.  Kuznetsov took the puck, reversed to the center point and snuck a wrist shot through traffic to give the Kingfish their first lead, 2-1. It marked Kuznetsov's first game-winning goal of the season. 

A Jake Cox empty-netter with 25 seconds remaining sealed the win. Shorrock notched the primary assist to record his second multi-point game of the campaign. He was the only skater on either team with multiple points. 

The Kingfish improve to 4-0-2 and reclaim sole possession of first place in the Delta Division.

Baton Rouge and Stockton rematch tomorrow night at Adventist Health Arena. The puck drops at 8:11 p.m. CDT.