Kalemba Nets First Professional Shutout

STOCKTON, Calif. - Rookie goaltender Zane Kalemba, a former Princeton standout, made 24 saves for his first career shutout to lift the Stockton Thunder to 4-0 victory over the Victoria Salmon Kings Sunday at Stockton Arena.

Kalemba, who beat the team that once traded for him earlier this season and improved to 5-1-2 on the season.

"Kalemba made some unbelievable saves and (Victoria) had some unbelievable chances," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "I think the guys felt bad that they didn't complete the effort to get the shutout last night and tonight I think there was a bit more effort, especially in that late penalty kill in the third period."

Kalemba, who was playing a third consecutive day for the first time in his pro career, gave up a power-play goal in the third period of the Thunder's 8-1 win Saturday, but his fellow players weren't going to let that happen again.

"It was a big deal to us. He was so close (on Saturday) and was playing so well," said Cam Brodie. "Going into the third we even said it in the (locker) room. We said, 'Let's help Zane out; everything in front of the net has to be cleared out hard and nobody gets into his crease.' It was a huge motivation for us."

Kalemba, 25, was making his fourth start for the Thunder (27-15-9) and third since Bryan Pitton was injured in a game Wednesday in Ontario. The Thunder's yellow Sunday jersey and Kalemba's orange and black-trimmed pads - the colors of his alma mater, Princeton University - made for a colorful combination, and he looked good beating one of his five former pro teams. He was with the Salmon Kings for a few weeks, but never played for them.

"He made every save he was supposed to make and a bunch he wasn't supposed to make, and that's what goalies need to do to get shutouts and win hockey games," Thomas said.

Kalemba knew the score as the final minutes ran out, but he wasn't dwelling on the situation.

"I thought about it a little bit, but I try to have the same mentality all the time. I try to stay focused," Kalemba said. "It felt good to get the shutout. The guys played great in front of me. They were blocking shots and clearing out rebounds for me."

Kalemba improved to 3-1-1 with a 1.40 goals-against average with Stockton. He  has stopped the last 48 of 49 shots faced.