Stockton Thunder Even Up Series With Massive Blowout / A Game Recap

GAME 4 RECAP: Stockton 7 - Idaho 2

05/07/2010 10:05 PM

FIT TO BE TIED
Thunder ties Conference Final series, 2-2 with Idaho in five-goal rout, 7-2

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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
VIDEO: Highlights and postgame locker room reaction
AUDIO: Game highlights

STOCKTON, Calif. - Bryan Pitton made 29 saves while defenseman Steve Vanoosten led seven players who had multi point games with three assists, as the Stockton Thunder routed the Idaho Steelheads in a 7-2 victory in Game 4 of the National Conference Final of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs, before 5,219 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday night.

The Thunder, who have rallied so far from a 2-0 series deficit to square the best-of-seven set at 2-2, improved to 6-1 at home in the postseason and unleashed a five-unanswered goal rally, chasing Idaho goaltender Richard Bachman (fell to 6-2 with 11 saves) who left in the second period with an injury.

Idaho, who won their first six games of the playoffs, have lost two in a row and Stockton's win guaranteed a return of the series to Boise, beginning on Tuesday, May 11 for Game 6.

STOCKTON VS. IDAHO - NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINALS
Game 1: Stockton 2 at Idaho 4
Game 2: Stockton 0 at Idaho 4
Game 3: Idaho 0 at Stockton 1
Game 4: Idaho 2 at Idaho 7
Game 5: Idaho at Stockton - Saturday, May 8 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 6: Stockton at Idaho - Tuesday, May 11 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena)
Game 7: Stockton at Idaho - Wednesday, May 12 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
* If necessary

"Give credit to our whole team - we've been extremely successful with our focus ever since we've come home," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "I liked the way we consistently went strong to the net, all night long. You need great goaltending, not just ‘good' goaltending, to get far in the postseason and Bryan Pitton was nothing short of great tonight. We have a lot to take out of tonight and apply it to tomorrow as our focus shifts to Game 5."

Steve Vanoosten recorded a playoff career-high with three assists.

(photo by George Steckler)

Robinson steered a backdoor pass by Steve Vanoosten past Richard Bachman's glove from the right goal post, giving the Thunder the first goal of the game at 12:49 of the first period on the power-play. It was the first time the Thunder scored the game's first goal in the series.

One of Pitton's highlight reel saves was on a John Swanson wrist shot through traffic in the high slot, which Pitton snared with his glove early in the second period.

Swanson chased a pinballed rebound from close range to an open net to tie the game, 1-1 with 4:55 into the second period, but the Thunder responded with Caudron's 2-on-1 goal, converting Oren Eizenman's feed from the left wing with a one-timer past Bachman's blocker, restoring the 2-1 lead.

Bachman was visibly shaken up on the play after a collision with teammate Evan Barlow, who attempted to backcheck on the 2-on-1 break.

After Bachman elected to stay in following medical treatment, the Thunder quickly responded to hike the lead at 3-1 on Brett Hemingway's goal in his postseason debut this year, stuffing a wrap-around attempt past Bachman's blocker just 1:54 later.

The Thunder boosted their advantage to 4-1 after Bachman was yanked for backup Rejean Beauchemin. Jason Pitton converted a James Bates centering pass from behind the net, beating Beauchemin just inside the short side, left post. The goal completed a Thunder three-goal rally in a span of 3:56.

Pitton stopped nine shots in the second period, including an open, snap shot from Mark Derlago at the left circle.

Marquardt successfully re-directed Eizenman's centering feed from the right corner past Beauchemin's blocker with 2:16 gone in the third period, boosting the game to a 5-1 Thunder advantage.

The Thunder turned it into a rout with their third power-play goal of the game, when Bates slugged a loose puck, out of mid-air past Beauchemin's blocker with 14:10 left in the game for a 6-1 lead.

Just 1:59 later, Colin Hemingway rifled a face-off win by Igor Gongalsky with a one-timer from the right circle past Beauchemin, hiking the Thunder advantage to 7-1.

Swanson closed the scoring with his second goal of the game, a one-timer at the left circle with 5:25 left in regulation on a 5-on-3 power-play.

Tempers flared late in the game and 67 minutes in penalties were issued to both teams, including 25 to Kevin DeVirgilio, ejected after an altercation with Ryan Constant. DeVirgilio received a five-minute, game misconduct for spearing, a separate 10-minute, unsportsmanlike conduct and an extra ten minutes for the ejection.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Garet Hunt (one-game suspension), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Chris D'Alvise (injury, day-to-day) and Kelly Czuy (injury, day-to-day) ... the Thunder converted at a 3-for-8 rate on the power-play ... Stockton has now scored an average of 5.1 goals per game at home in the postseason (36 goals in seven games) ... ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna was in attendance at the game.

Both teams return to play in Game 5 of the series at Stockton Arena on Saturday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard and viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

Tickets for Thunder home playoff games are available by calling (209) 373-1700 or by visiting www.StocktonTickets.com.

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season 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. STK - 31 Bryan Pitton
2. STK - 4 Steve Vanoosten
3. STK - 12 J.F. Caudron

Written by the StocktonThunder.com

Stockton Thunder Win In Triple Overtime / A Game Recap

GAME 3 RECAP: Stockton 1 - Idaho 0 (3OT)

05/05/2010 11:48 PM

CONSTANT HEROES
Pitton's record 49-save effort, Constant's goal caps triple-OT thriller, gets Thunder back to 2-1 series deficit

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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
VIDEO: Highlights and postgame locker room reaction
AUDIO: Game highlights


STOCKTON, Calif. - Ryan Constant ended the longest game in Stockton Thunder history with a power-play goal from the high slot, 36 seconds into triple overtime, to lift the Thunder to a thrilling 1-0 marathon victory over the Idaho Steelheads in Game 3 of the National Conference Final of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs at Stockton Arena on Wednesday.


The Thunder edged their way back in the best-of-seven series, trailing Idaho 2-1 and goaltender Bryan Pitton, making his first start of the postseason, broke a Thunder playoff record with 49 saves while earning the first playoff shutout in Thunder history and the first of his playoff career.

He outdueled Richard Bachman of Idaho, who stopped 36 shots and had a shutout streak of 172:07 in the series snapped by Constant's goal. The overtime win was the third of the playoffs for Stockton, who ran their record to 3-0 in the OT stages.

STOCKTON VS. IDAHO - NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINALS
Game 1: Stockton 2 at Idaho 4
Game 2: Stockton 0 at Idaho 4
Game 3: Idaho 0 at Stockton 1 (3OT)
Game 4: Idaho at Stockton - Friday, May 7 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 5: Idaho at Stockton - Saturday, May 8 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 6: Stockton at Idaho - Tuesday, May 11 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
Game 7: Stockton at Idaho - Wednesday, May 12 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
* If necessary

"What a character win," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "Our resiliency really came through when we needed it most. Constant's goal came as a result of simple hockey needed into a lengthy game like that - getting a screen in front of their goaltender. Bryan was remarkable in net as well - he made the basic saves all night and came through with some big stops when we needed them."

Bryan Pitton recorded the first playoff shutout in Thunder history with another postseason record - 49 saves in one single playoff game.

(photo by George Steckler)

Both teams battled through the first period with the Thunder edging Idaho in shots, 11-10. Pitton made his first big save of the game on a Marty Flichel re-direction at the base of the left circle and Bachman countered with stops on a Matt Robinson snapper in the first shift of the game and Steve Vanoosten's one-timer from the right circle with nearly six minutes remaining.

The Thunder had a chance to grab the lead in the second period on a wide open chance at the left circle for J.F. Caudron, but his rebound zipped off the right goal post with Bachman diving to get back in position.

Idaho outshot the Thunder, 8-3 in the third period and 6-4 in the first overtime, with Pitton making a key save on Mark McCutcheon's wrist shot from the left circle.

Bachman faced a close-range redirection attempt by Igor Gongalsky in the opening minutes of the overtime period, but turned away the chance from between the hash marks with a stop at the glove side.

Idaho cranked up the pressure, outshooting the Thunder 18-8 in the second overtime period, but failing to capitalize on two power-play chances. Pitton preserved the game with a glove save on a Dustin Friesen backhander from between the circles at the middle of the period.

Flichel was whistled for a tripping penalty for taking down Jason Pitton behind the Idaho net with 1:19 left in the double overtime, setting up the game-winning power-play.

After the Thunder won the opening faceoff of the third overtime and worked the puck in deep, Robinson's feed from the left boards found Constant positioned at the high slot while Jason Pitton set a screen in front of Bachman.

Constant unleashed a wrist shot that beat Bachman past the blocker side, sending the Thunder flying off the bench with the win and Stockton Arena into pandemonium.

Idaho was kept to an 0-for-6 effort on the power-play.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Brett Hemingway (inactive list), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Colin Hemingway (healthy) and Kelly Czuy (injury, day-to-day) ... the game surpassed the previous record game in Stockton playoff history - Game 3 of the 2007 National Conference Quarterfinals, won by Idaho, 2-1 at 8:06 of double overtime ... Constant's goal snapped an 0-for-15 drought for the Thunder on the power-play, in the series ... the Thunder improved to 4-1 at home in the postseason and has won nine of the last 12 games at home in Kelly Cup Playoff history ... the game was the longest 0-0 game in ECHL history before Constant's game winner.

Both teams return to play in Game 4 of the series at Stockton Arena on Friday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard and viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

Tickets for Thunder home playoff games are available by calling (209) 373-1700 or by visiting http://www.stocktontickets.com/

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season 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. STK - 31 Bryan Pitton
2. STK - 22 Ryan Constant
3. IDH - 31 Richard Bachman

Written by the StocktonThunder.com

Stockton Thunder Up 3-1 In Series / Game 4 Recap

GAME 4 RECAP: Stockton 6 - Bakersfied 2

04/23/2010 9:27 PM

THREE'S COMPANY
Robinson's three points help Thunder take 3-1 series lead, put Bakersfield on brink of elimination
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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
VIDEO: Highlights and postgame locker room reaction
AUDIO: Game highlights




STOCKTON, Calif. - Matt Robinson scored a playoff career-high three points (1g-2a), helping the Stockton Thunder turn in a wire-to-wire lead and sink the Bakersfield Condors in a 6-2 victory in Game 4 of the National Conference Semifinals of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs, before 4,932 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday night.

Stockton took a 3-1 lead in the series, put Bakersfield on the brink of elimination in the best-of-seven set and can advance to the Conference Finals for the first time in club history with a win as early as Saturday at Stockton Arena in Game 5.

Robinson, who turned in his postseason best just one game after sitting out as a healthy scratch, helped the Thunder spur a four-goal rally in the second period. Oren Eizenman, Bryan Young, Chris D'Alvise, Jason Pitton and Matt Marquardt chipped in with a goal and Andrew Perugini posted a 27 save-effort to improve to 6-2 in the playoffs.

Garet Hunt also chipped in with a pair of assists - his first came on Young's game-winning goal.

STOCKTON VS. BAKERSFIELD - NATIONAL CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
Game 1: Stockton 3 at Bakersfield 2 (OT)
Game 2: Stockton 4 at Bakersfield 3 (OT)
Game 3: Bakersfield 3 at Stockton 0
Game 4: Bakersfield 2 at Stockton 6
Game 5: Bakersfield at Stockton - Saturday, April 24 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 6: Stockton at Bakersfield - Tuesday, Apr. 27 - 7:00 p.m. (Rabobank Arena) *
Game 7: Stockton at Bakersfield - Wednesday, Apr. 28 - 7:00 p.m. (Rabobank Arena) *
* If necessary

"There were so many players who deserved the player of the game honor we usually award in our dressing room after the game," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "It was a great effort by the collective bunch and from the Bryan Youngs to the Matt Robinsons to the Garet Hunts, everyone committed to a full, physical effort tonight and they were rewarded with it. There were many things we have to take from tonight's game into Game 5 because we know it will be the toughest one so far."

Oren Eizenman was named first star of the game with a goal and assist, parlaying an all-around effort.

(photo by George Steckler)

The Thunder came out flying in the opening period with a furious physical forecheck and outshot the Condors, 8-2 in the first several minutes. Capping off the effort, Robinson's third goal of the playoffs put the Thunder ahead, 1-0 when he corralled James Bates' centering pass and whistled a snap shot past J.P. Levasseur from between the circles with 59.7 seconds left.

A four-goal outburst in the second period powered the Thunder to a 5-1 advantage, using two separate pairs of goals around Bakersfield's only tally in the period. Eizenman took J.F. Caudron's relay and seared a wrist shot over Levasseur's glove for a breakaway goal just 53 seconds into the period, hiking the lead to 2-0.

Young crashed the net on a rebound produced by a shot from Hunt, in close and boosted the lead to 3-0 with 15:14 left in the period. A third-chance rebound though by Stephane Goulet put Bakersfield on the board, trailing 3-1 with 7:04 elapsed in the period.

The Thunder continued their relentless forecheck game and D'Alvise restored the three-goal cushion when he slipped a loose puck from nearly at the right goal line with 10:05 remaining for his first goal of the series.

Pitton finished off a collective successful forecheck when he stole a pass at the right circle and zipped a wrist shot through Levasseur's five-hole with 59.8 seconds left, boosting the lead to 5-1 after Hunt leveled Ken Morin with a check in the right corner.

In a more controlled, conservative pace in the third period, the Thunder maintained their margin through the first several minutes but allowed Bakersfield to get no closer than a three-goal cushion. Eric Regan's power-play goal cut the lead to 5-2 with 9:53 left in the third period when he buried a loose puck from the right circle into an open net.

Bakersfield pulled Levasseur for an extra attacker on a power-play with three minutes remaining but the Thunder put on the finishing touches with Marquardt's empty-net goal with 1:10 left in the game.

Levasseur, who was the first Bakersfield goaltender to start two consecutive games, took the loss with 18 saves.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Brett Hemingway (inactive list), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Justin DaCosta (healthy) and Kelly Czuy (injury, day-to-day) ... the Thunder improved to 4-2, lifetime in Game 4 situations ... Robinson's first period goal was the first time the Thunder scored the first goal of the game in the entire postseason ... only two infractions (a pair of fighting majors to Igor Gongalsky and Sasha Pokulok in the first period) were called through two periods and Stockton never had a power-play in the game ... the Thunder improved to 3-1 at home in this year's playoffs.

The Thunder can wrap up the series at Stockton Arena with a victory on Saturday in Game 5, facing Bakersfield beginning at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard and viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge). Tickets for Thunder home playoff games are available by calling (209) 373-1700 or by visiting www.StocktonTickets.com.

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season Tickets for 2009-10 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. STK - 9 Oren Eizenman
2. STK - 71 Matt Robinson
3. STK - 24 Garet Hunt

Written by the Stockton Thunder

The Stockton Thunder Win Game 2 / Up 2-0 In Series Over Bakersfield / A Game Recap

GAME RECAP: Stockton 4 - Bakersfield 3 (OT)

04/17/2010 11:54 PM -
ANOTHER HERO MAKES IT 2-0
Eizenman leads with pair of goals, scores OT winner, Thunder take series home with 2-0 lead

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FINAL STATS: LINK TO BOX SCORE
AUDIO: Game highlights

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Oren Eizenman scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner with 10:59 left in sudden death overtime, to lead the Stockton Thunder to their second straight comeback victory in overtime in a 4-3 win over the Bakersfield Condors in the National Conference Semifinals of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs, before 4,827 at Rabobank Arena on Saturday night.

The Thunder, who took a 2-0 series lead in the best-of-seven series over the second-seeded Condors with the series moving to Stockton for Game 3 next Wednesday, were aided by Andrew Perugini's 41 stops while Ryan Constant and J.F. Caudron added a goal each, helping Stockton come-from-behind in three separate one-goal deficits.

STOCKTON VS. BAKERSFIELD - NATIONAL CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
Game 1: Stockton 3 at Bakersfield 2 (OT)
Game 2: Stockton 4 at Bakersfield 3 (OT)
Game 3: Bakersfield at Stockton - Wednesday, April 21 - 7:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 4: Bakersfield at Stockton - Friday, April 23 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 5: Bakersfield at Stockton - Saturday, April 24 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *
Game 6: Stockton at Bakersfield - Tuesday, Apr. 27 - 7:00 p.m. (Rabobank Arena) *
Game 7: Stockton at Bakersfield - Wednesday, Apr. 28 - 7:00 p.m. (Rabobank Arena) *
* If necessary

Oren Eizenman led the Thunder with a pair of goals and scored the first OT winner of the playoffs in his career.

(photo by Anne-Marie Sorvin)

"We knew Bakersfield was going to push; we did a good job withstanding it and responding by pushing back," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "Once again I say that I'm proud of these guys. They came from behind in of the toughest buildings to play in the entire league and found a way to win two road games in overtime. That's what successful teams in the playoffs have to do and we proved again that we're capable of doing that."

Bakersfield took a 2-1 lead after one period while the Thunder lost 31-goal scorer Matt Robinson to a game misconduct on a five-minute boarding penalty early on Stephane Goulet, but Stockton killed off the entire penalty. Goulet would not return.

Sasha Pokulok got the Condors on the board, 1-0 with a wrist shot from the left point that caromed off traffic and zipped past Andrew Perugini's glove with 9:42 remaining.

Following the Robinson ejection and penalty kill, the Thunder quieted the Bakersfield crowd on Caudron's fifth goal of the postseason with 3:54 left.

Yet, a Ryan Menei power-play goal, after he hit a post on an open net for the second straight game, put Bakersfield ahead again, 2-1 when stuffed the rebound over a fallen Perugini.

Stockton roared back with a pair of goals in the second to tie the game, 3-3 at the end of two periods. Constant drilled a slapshot from the left point that snuck by Timo Pielmeier through traffic for a 2-2 tie with 9:23 left in the frame.

Just 2:10 later, Maxime Macenauer was awarded his first goal of the postseason when he converted off a jam play at the front the net, restoring Bakersfield's lead.

Yet, the Thunder responded with a power-play goal coming with 29.6 seconds remaining off an Eizenman rebound to level the score 3-3. Eizenman put the rebound past Pielmeier after Anthony Aiello's drive from the left point deflected off a Kelly Czuy screen at the front of the goal.

Both teams battled through a scoreless third period, with Perugini logging 12 saves and Pielmeier stopping 13 shots.

Following a series of back-and-forth scoring chances, Eizenman planted a backhander through the five hole of Pielmeier with 9:01 gone in the period after he darted out of the left corner, sending the Thunder flying off the bench in celebration for the second straight game.

Pielmeier, who was making his first appearance in net since Game 3 of the first round against Victoria, took the loss with 38 saves.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Brett Hemingway (inactive list), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Justin DaCosta (healthy) and Colin Hemingway (injury, day-to-day) ... the Thunder have won three of the last four playoff overtime games and improved to 2-0 in overtime in this year's playoffs ... the Thunder improved to 3-3 in Game 2 situations ... the Thunder surrendered the first goal of the game to the opposition for the sixth straight playoff game ... Bakersfield outshot Stockton, 44-42 but the Thunder owned 28-27 edge in the last two periods.

The series moves to Stockton for Game 3 between the Thunder and Condors, starting at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Apr. 21 at Stockton Arena. The game can be heard and viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge). Tickets for Thunder home playoff games are available by calling (209) 373-1700 or by visiting www.StocktonTickets.com.

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season Tickets for 2009-10 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. STK - 9 Oren Eizenman
2. BAK - 32 Ryan Menei
3. STK - 12 J.F. Caudron

Written by the Stockton Thunder

Thunder Wins Game 1 In Overtime / A Thunder Game Recap

GAME RECAP: Stockton 3 - Bakersfield 2 (OT)

04/16/2010 10:58 PM

CAN-DO CAUDRON
Caudron's OT winner at 10:18 gives Stockton 1-0 series lead at Bakersfield

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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
AUDIO: Game highlights

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -J.F. Caudron scored a game-winning goal with 9:42 left in sudden death overtime to lift the Stockton Thunder to a come-from-behind 3-2 overtime victory over the Bakersfield Condors in Game 1 of the National Conference Semifinal round of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs, before 5,208 fans at Rabobank Arena on Friday.

The Thunder, who seized home-ice advantage in the series with a 1-0 series lead and battled back from a 2-1 deficit with less than three minutes left in regulation, tied the game on a clutch power-play goal from Kelly Czuy and also received a second period goal from Jason Pitton.

In net, Andrew Perugini improved to 4-1 in the postseason with 43 saves.

STOCKTON VS. BAKERSFIELD - NATIONAL CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
Game 1: Stockton 3 at Bakersfield 2 (OT)
Game 2: Stockton at Bakersfield - Saturday, Apr. 17 - 7:00 p.m. (Rabobank Arena)
Game 3: Bakersfield at Stockton - Wednesday, April 21 - 7:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 4: Bakersfield at Stockton - Friday, April 23 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 5: Bakersfield at Stockton - Saturday, April 24 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *
Game 6: Stockton at Bakersfield - Tuesday, Apr. 27 - 7:00 p.m. (Rabobank Arena) *
Game 7: Stockton at Bakersfield - Wednesday, Apr. 28 - 7:00 p.m. (Rabobank Arena) *
* If necessary

"It's playoff hockey - you have to earn your goals and all three goals were scored from the paint," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "It's that time of year where you have you go in there and pay the price. I liked how we went in there and did that. J.F.'s play in overtime was reflective of our effort. Our penalty kill did give up two goals but the way we responded late in the game, our penalty killers could have arguably been the collective first star of the game, along with Perugini."

Bakersfield outshot Stockton, 12-7 in the opening period which featured a scoreless duel between Perugini and counterpart Jean-Philippe Levasseur. Perugini's highlight reel save in the period featured a post-to-post stop on the Condors' Dan Kissel in the early minutes.

Ryan Menei's power-play goal gave Bakersfield a 1-0 edge with 13:48 left in the second period, when he buried a rebound from the base of the left circle. Yet, just minutes after a Bakersfield penalty kill, Pitton's goal leveled the score at 1-1 just 2:59 after the Condors game-opening goal, when he converted Igor Gongalsky's centering pass from behind the net.

A power-play goal by Mark Voakes restored Bakersfield's lead to 2-1 just 2:08 into the third period, when he converted on a one-timer at the doorstep after Andrew Ianiero fed him from behind the net.

The Thunder got the clutch, game-tying goal when Czuy buried a rebound off a Matt Marquardt one-timer from the right point with just 2:57 remaining in regulation.

A tripping penalty that was issued to Bates put the Thunder penalty kill into action and a series of stops on Sasha Pokulok and MacGregor Sharp kept the score tied heading into sudden death overtime.

Following another penalty kill, the Thunder finally found the back of the net and sent Rabobank Arena into shock with Caudron's game-winner. After Levasseur stopped a Czuy slapshot from off the rush, Oren Eizenman fed the rebound to Steve Vanoosten, open at the right point.

Levasseur deflected Vanoosten's drive away, but Caudron picked up the rebound at the doorstep and slipped it past Levasseur's glove, sending the Thunder spilling off the bench in pandemonium.

Levasseur, making his first ever appearance in net, took the loss with 32 saves and fell to 2-2 in the playoffs.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Brett Hemingway (inactive list), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Justin DaCosta (healthy) and Colin Hemingway (injury, day-to-day) ... Stockton improved to 2-5 in playoff overtime games and grabbed its first OT winner on the road (1-1) ... Czuy's multi-point game was his fourth of the postseason ... the Thunder improved to 4-2 in Game 1 situations and 2-1 on the road in the 2010 postseason ... Kyle Calder, a ten-year veteran with five teams in the National Hockey League and playing on an NHL contract with Anaheim, was held scoreless after leading Bakersfield with seven points (5g-2a) in the first round.

The Thunder and Condors return to play for Game 2 of the series tomorrow at Rabobank Arena, starting at 7:30 p.m. before the series returns to Stockton for Game 3 on Wednesday, Apr. 21. Game 2 can be heard and viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge). Tickets for Thunder home playoff games are available by calling (209) 373-1700 or by visiting www.StocktonTickets.com.

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season Tickets for 2009-10 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. STK - 12 J.F. Caudron
2. STK - 35 Andrew Perugini
3. BAK - 9 Andrew Ianiero

The Stockton Thunder Advance In Kelly Cup Playoffs / A Game Recap

GAME 4 RECAP: Stockton 8 - Alaska 5

04/10/2010 10:55 PM

THUNDER FLUSH ACES
Thunder eliminates Alaska in 3-1 series win, advances to Conference Semifinals

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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
VIDEO: Highlights and postgame locker room reaction
AUDIO: Game highlights


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder erased two separate two-goal deficits in the first period and scored six unanswered goals, led by James Bates' four points (1g-3a) and a pair of goals by Matt Robinson, eliminating the Alaska Aces in a 8-5 victory in Game 4 of the National Conference Quarterfinal round of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs before 4,583 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday.

The Thunder, who won the best of five series, 3-1, and became the first team in ECHL history to eliminate the Alaska Aces from the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs, advanced to the second round for the second straight year. Ten different Thunder players hit the scoresheet and Andrew Perugini made 40 saves in net.

STOCKTON VS. ALASKA - NATIONAL CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
(Stockton wins series, 3-1)


Game 1: Stockton 3 at Alaska 4
Game 2: Stockton 5 at Alaska 2
Game 3: Alaska 4 at Stockton 7
Game 4: Alaska 5 at Stockton 8
* If necessary

"Your goal all the time is to get into the playoffs and then look to go as far as you can," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "We got through a big challenge in getting past the first round. I've never seen a series as volatile as far as lead changes. I loved the way we competed. There was no ‘give-up' in the team's vocabulary and we really found a way to win hockey games, especially at home here."

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J.F. Caudron beats Billy Sauer in the first period, giving the Thunder their first lead of the game, 4-3, in the midst of a five-goal rush in the first 20 minutes. (photo by George Steckler)

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The Thunder began the game the way that Game 3 ended - a five goal flurry - eventually chasing starter Billy Sauer from the Alaska net after fighting back from 2-0 and 3-1 deficits. T.J Fast and Jarrett Konkle put Alaska ahead 2-0 with goals in the first 4:55, coming 24 seconds apart.Robinson's power-play goal got the Thunder on the board, trailing 2-1 with 14:30 left on a snap shot from the slot that beat Sauer to the glove side, but Konkle finished off a rebound with 8:09 left to restore Alaska's two-goal lead.The Thunder responded in roaring fashion, scoring four goals in a span of 5:27. Just 16 seconds after Konkle's second goal of the game, Chris D'Alvise snuck a wrist shot through Sauer's five-hole from the left circle, drawing the Thunder to within a 3-2 deficit.

Bates then converted off a screen to tie the score at 3-3 on an Anthony Aiello drive from the high slot for a power-play goal with 5:32 remaining in the period.

Completing a three-goal rush in a span of 3:41, J.F. Caudron's wrister from the left circle found the back of the net just 20 seconds after Bates' marker, putting the Thunder ahead for good at 4-3, lifting Sauer in place of Scott Reid.

The Thunder continued to roll, when Jordan Bendfeld darted out of the box after a Thunder penalty kill, took Jason Pitton's lead pass off the left boards and scored on a breakaway with a snap shot between the hash marks with 2:21 left to boost the lead to 5-3.

Dating back to the third period of Game 3, the Thunder finished the first period by burying a whopping ten goals in a span of 28:37.

Garet Hunt's first goal of the playoffs pushed the lead to 6-3 when his dump in deflected off Reid's glove and into the net with 3:34 gone in the second period.

Igor Gongalsky's first goal of the postseason hiked the lead to 7-3 on a wrist shot from the left circle, and Alaska's second goaltending change in the game lifted Reid in place of the original starter, Sauer.

Alaska closed the gap to 7-4 with 12:02 left in the game when Anthony Peluso scored off the rush on a wrist shot from the right circle. Yet, Robinson put the game out of reach with his second goal of the night with 8:50 left, converting Oren Eizenman's centering pass from between the circles for an 8-5 lead.

Konkle completed a hat trick effort with 5:10 left in the game on a 5-on-3 power-play goal, sealing the game. Alaska would get no closer despite pulling Sauer for an extra attacker in the final two minutes of the game.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Brett Hemingway (inactive list), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Justin DaCosta (healthy) and Colin Hemingway (injury, day-to-day) ... Stockton won a series clinching game on their own home ice for the first time in team history ... the Thunder power-play converted at a 2-for-6 effort and finished the series with a 6-for-21 effort (28.5%) ... Alaska's previous earliest exit was the second round (National Conference Semifinals) in 2007-08, losing to Las Vegas ... the Thunder improved to 6-2 in the previous eight lifetime home playoff games.

The Thunder opens Game 1 of the National Conference Semifinals against the winner of the Bakersfield/Victoria series, a best-of-seven affair (schedule to be announced). All road games can be heard on radio at 1280 KWSX and all games can be viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge). Tickets are available by calling (209) 373-1700 or by visiting www.StocktonTickets.com.

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season Tickets for 2009-10 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. STK - 28 James Bates
2. STK - 71 Matt Robinson
3. STK - 10 Chris D'Alvise

Written by the Stockton Thunder

*Reprinted by Oilers Jambalaya with permission from Stockton Thunder Professional Hockey Club, ECHL. The Stockton Thunder are a proud 'AA' affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers (NHL) and Springfield Falcons (AHL) *

Stockton Thunder Wins Game 3 With A 5 Goal 3rd Period Outburst / A Game Recap

GAME 3 RECAP: Stockton 7 - Alaska 4

04/09/2010 10:10 PM

SEVEN HEAVEN
Thunder sends Alaska to brink of elimination in five-goal third period rally

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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
VIDEO: Highlights and postgame locker room reaction
AUDIO: Game highlights


STOCKTON, Calif. - All-star center Chris D'Alvise scored two goals and added an assist, Andrew Perugini made 39 saves and the Stockton Thunder scored a playoff club record five goals in the third period, en route to a thrilling 7-4 victory over the Alaska Aces in Game 3 of the National Conference Quarterfinal of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs, before 4,212 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday.

The Thunder, who took a 2-1 series (best-of-five) lead and sent Alaska to the brink of elimination in the first round, scored five times in a span of 6:42 in the third period, ending with Ryan Constant's second goal of the night, an empty-netter with 1:55 left.

STOCKTON VS. ALASKA - NATIONAL CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
Game 1: Stockton 3 at Alaska 4
Game 2: Stockton 5 at Alaska 2
Game 3: Alaska 4 at Stockton 7
Game 4: Alaska at Stockton - Saturday, April 10 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 5: Alaska at Stockton - Monday, April 12 - 7:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *
* If necessary

"In this whole series to date, the third period has won it," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "I know we learned a very good lesson. Ultimately, we found a way to win and when it was on the line, we made it happen. We didn't have that playoff inch at first but we really earned it with our effort and lift in momentum in the end. We have to be ready for the challenges that lie ahead for tomorrow night."

Kelly Czuy picked up his third consecutive multi-point game in the postseason and the game-winning goal. (photo by George Steckler)

The Thunder, who has scored nine goals in the third period of the last two combined games, also received a goal each from Jason Pitton, Matt Marquardt and the eventual-game winner from Kelly Czuy with 5:16 left in the game.

A pair of power-play goals by two defensemen left the score knotted, 1-1 after the first period beginning on Bryan Miller's backdoor finish with 12:58 left when he finished Judd Blackwater's cross-ice pass at the left circle.

Constant helped the Thunder retaliate with 2:57 left in the period when he finished off a pass by Marquardt from between the circles with a one-timer that beat Scott Reid to the blocker side.

The Thunder grabbed the lead for the first time in the game on D'Alvise's breakaway goal, his second of the playoffs, with 1:42 gone in the second period when he converted Matt Robinson's lead pass on a backhand deke.

The eight-goal third period for both teams started when Alaska countered with back-to-back goals from Miller, his second of the game, and rookie Dion Knelsen and took a 3-2 lead with 14:13 left in the game.

Following a timeout, the Thunder regrouped and began the remarkable rally on Pitton's game-tying goal, on the power-play, with 8:37 left when he re-directed a pass from the left corner, off traffic at the goal mouth.

Marquardt then took an Igor Gongalsky drop pass and beat Reid with a snap shot from the right circle with 5:55 left, sending Stockton Arena into pandemonium with a 4-3 Thunder lead.

On the ensuing shift, J.F. Caudron slipped a pass to Czuy at the base of the left circle and fired a wrist shot past Reid for a 5-3 Thunder lead just 41 seconds later, when Reid came off the blocker side of the post.

The Aces called a timeout and capitalized on the following faceoff. Driving down the left wing, Blackwater snuck a wrist shot past Perugini from off the rush to cut the deficit to 5-4, just nine seconds after Czuy's goal.

D'Alvise restored the Thunder two-goal cushion with 3:01 left in the game on a four-on-four skating situation, converting James Bates' centering pass from between the hash marks with a one-timer past Reid's blocker.

Constant then put the Aces away with an empty-net goal from his own blueline with 1:55 remaining.

The Thunder fired 20 shots on goal in the third period and victimized Reid, who was making his first start of the playoffs, with the loss on 39 saves.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Brett Hemingway (inactive list), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Justin DaCosta (healthy) and Colin Hemingway (injury, day-to-day) ... the Thunder converted at a 2-for-3 rate on the power-play ... Stockton's seven goals, a team playoff record as well, toppled the six-goal mark achieved twice (last: Apr. 11, 2009 at Ontario - 6-5 win) ... the Thunder improved to 2-3 in lifetime in Game 3 situations and have won five of the last seven home playoff games ... Czuy's third straight multi-point game gave him 21 points in 16 career first rounds games with Stockton and Las Vegas.

The Thunder, who can advance to the second round of the playoffs for the second straight year with a win on Saturday, host the Aces, at Stockton Arena at 7:30 p.m. The game can be viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge). Tickets are available by calling (209) 373-1700 or by visiting http://www.stocktontickets.com/ .

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season Tickets for 2009-10 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. STK - 10 Chris D'Alvise
2. STK - 34 Kelly Czuy
3. AK - 15 Bryan Miller

Written by the Stockton Thunder

*Reprinted by Oilers Jambalaya with permission from Stockton Thunder Professional Hockey Club, ECHL. The Stockton Thunder are a proud 'AA' affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers (NHL) and Springfield Falcons (AHL) *

Thunder Even Up Series With Win Over Alaska

GAME 2 RECAP: Stockton 5 - Alaska 2

04/06/2010 11:18 PM

FIT TO BE TIED
Thunder send series back to Stockton tied, 1-1 in four goal third period rally

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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
AUDIO: Game highlights


WASILLA, Alaska - A four goal effort in the third period, stamping a string of three unanswered goals, helped the Stockton Thunder sink the host the Alaska Aces in a 5-2 victory in Game 2 of the National Conference Quarterfinals of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs at the Menard Memorial Sports Center on Tuesday.

The Thunder, who tied the best-of-five series, 1-1, return home to Stockton Arena for Game 3 on Friday. Forwards Kelly Czuy (1g-1a), Oren Eizenman (two assists), defensemen Anthony Aiello (1g-1a) and Jordan Bendfeld (two assists) all led the offense with two points apiece while goaltender Andrew Perugini made 28 saves.

STOCKTON VS. ALASKA - NATIONAL CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
Game 1: Stockton 3 at Alaska 4
Game 2: Stockton 5 at Alaska 2
Game 3: Alaska at Stockton - Friday, April 9 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 4: Alaska at Stockton - Saturday, April 10 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 5: Alaska at Stockton - Monday, April 12 - 7:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *
* If necessary


"It's a huge win from the standpoint we needed to come up here and gain a split, giving us a chance going back to our own home ice," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "I'm proud of the guys for how they responded."

The Thunder, who handed Alaska their fourth Game 2 loss in franchise history, improved to 2-3 in Game 2 situations.

Following a scoreless first period where the Thunder owned a 9-5 lead in shots on goal, Alaska responded with several scoring chances in front of Perugini but were thwarted on a diving glove save at the doorstep on the Aces' Jarrett Konkle with over six minutes into the period.

The pressure continued and after Alaska killed a 5-on-3 penalty kill, Ryan Turek sent the partisan crowd into eruption with his first goal of the postseason with 8:41 left when he corralled Brock McBride's feed at the left circle and slipped a wrist shot through traffic for a 1-0 lead.

The Thunder had a breakaway by Kelly Czuy negated on an offside call but continued to press and finally knotted the score, 1-1 on a Czuy shorthanded goal with less than 33.7 seconds left when he blasted a shapshot past Billy Sauer from the right wing.

Marquardt, who had fired eight shots in the game already, finally broke through with his first goal of the postseason to give the Thunder a 2-1 lead and stunning the Aces home crowd with 2:26 gone in the third period when his wrist shot from the right wing beat Sauer off the rush.

A power-play goal by Caudron, who knocked in a rebound at the right goal post, put the Thunder ahead, 3-1 with 13:46 remaining on his second goal of the playoffs after Sauer stopped Czuy's shot from the left circle.

Alaska crawled back into the game on a Bryan Miller goal from between the hash marks just 2:10 later, cutting the deficit to one.

Yet, Stockton restored the two-goal gap with Pitton's first goal of the playoffs, coming with 4:34 left when he re-directed Bendfeld's drive from the right point to the back of the net.

An empty-net goal by Aiello with 24.4 seconds remaining sealed the game, when he hit the back of the net on a 190-foot heave from his own defensive zone, completing the rally.

"We talked about momentum as a team and how it helps you in the playoffs," said Thomas. "We created a ton of it with a great goal at the end of the second. Then we came out with the right energy and had guys like Pitton and Marquardt scoring while our power play steps up. We did the little things that were needed to win and rally from a tie game, on the road, in the third period."

Sauer was tagged with the loss, making 26 saves for Alaska.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Brett Hemingway (inactive list), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Justin DaCosta (healthy) and Colin Hemingway (injury, day-to-day) ... the only other Game 2 win in Thunder history was at Ontario last year, a 6-5 win in the first round - Stockton went onto win the series in seven games ... the Thunder went 1-for-4 on the power-play and kept Alaska sealed at an 0-for-3 clip ... Czuy's multi-point game gave him 19 points in 15 career first rounds games with Stockton and Las Vegas.

The series moves to Stockton Arena for the remainder of the series and game three, between the Thunder and Aces, is at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The game can be viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season Tickets for 2009-10 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. STK - 34 Kelly Czuy
2. STK - 7 Anthony Aiello
3. STK - 9 Oren Eizenm

The Stockton Thunder Clinches Playoff Birth / A Game Recap

GAME RECAP: Stockton 6 - Bakersfield 4

03/30/2010 11:21 PM

FIT TO BE TIED
Thunder tied for first place, clinch playoff berth for fourth consecutive season
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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
AUDIO: Game highlights

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Kelly Czuy scored a pair of goals while James Bates (1g-2a) and Matt Robinson (1g-2a) each had three-point efforts to help steer the Stockton Thunder (33-27-9, 75 points) to a first place tie in the Pacific Division in a 6-4 win over the host Bakersfield Condors, before 4,491 fans at Rabobank Arena on Tuesday.

The Thunder, who have clinched their fourth consecutive Kelly Cup Playoff berth by owning a series of tie-breakers over Ontario (five points back in the conference) and Las Vegas (three points back), received goal-scoring support from James Bates, J.F. Caudron, Jason Pitton and Matt Robinson, who won for the third time in four games.

Launching into typical late-season form, Kelly Czuy had his first multi-goal game of the season.

(photo by George Steckler)

Andrew Perugini picked up the win in net, making 21 stops.

The Condors' Dan Kissel opened the scoring just 1:49 in with a snap shot goal from between the circles, but the Thunder retaliated with three unanswered goals for a 3-1 lead after one period.

Bates knotted the score off a turnover, drilling a slapshot through Timo Pielmeier's five-hole at 7:57 for his 27th goal of the season, and D'Alvise followed with a power-play goal for a 2-1 Thunder lead with 5:21 left on a drive from the high slot.

Another Condor turnover produced a loose puck for J.F. Caudron in the right corner, who found Czuy all alone at the front of the net. Czuy deked Pielmeier to the backhand and lifted a shot under the crossbar with 3:14 left in the period for a two-goal cushion.

Stephane Goulet's 28th goal of the season cut the deficit to 3-2 when his one-timer at the right circle found the back of the net with 5:11 gone in the second period, but the Thunder responded with a pair of goals to take their biggest lead of the game after two periods, 5-2.

Following two physical shifts spent in the Bakersfield zone, Robinson wired a wrist shot from off the rush at the left circle to hit the 30-goal plateau, hiking the lead to 4-2 with 8:57 left.

Then, Pitton's ninth goal of the season boosted Stockton's edge to 5-2 on a 2-on-1 break, when his snap shot at the right circle beat Pielmeier to the glove side with 3:20 left.

Eric Regan took a cross-ice pass from Stephane Goulet and netted his 16th of the year on a wrist shot at the right circle, cutting the gap to 5-3 with 8:50 gone in the third period.

A defensive turnover by the Thunder resulted in an Adam Naglich goal just 3:07 later, cutting the deficit down to a goal.

Yet, the Thunder were undeterred and put the game away on Czuy's second of the game with 3:24 left in regulation, capitalizing on a cross-ice pass by Pitton with a one-timer at the right goal post.

Pielmeier took the loss making 45 saves.

NOTES: Before the game, Mark Pavli was released ... the Thunder scratched Brett Hemingway (healthy), Matt O'Dette (injured reserve), Trevor Hunt (injured reserve), Garet Hunt (injured reserve), Riley Emmerson (injured reserve) and Craig Valette (injured reserve) ... Stockton outshot Bakersfield, 51-25 (a season-high for shots) and had 23 shots on goal in the second period ... Pitton had a goal and an assist in his first game back from the American Hockey League ... the Thunder improved to 6-3-2 in the head-to-head series ... Bakersfield had sole possession of first place for 55 straight games until the Thunder victory on Tuesday night ... Robinson's 30th goal gave the Thunder their first pair of 30-goal scorers (joining D'Alvise) in team history.

The Thunder returns to play tomorrow with its next game at 7:00 p.m., hosting the Bakersfield Condors at Stockton Arena for the regular season home finale. The game can be heard on and viewed online exclusively at http://www.stocktonthunder.com/ , courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season Tickets for 2009-10 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. STK - 34 Kelly Czuy
2. STK - 17 Jason Pitton
3. BAK - 29 Eric Regan

Written by the Stockton Thunder

*Reprinted by Oilers Jambalaya with permission from Stockton Thunder Professional Hockey Club, ECHL. The Stockton Thunder are a proud 'AA' affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers (NHL) and Springfield Falcons (AHL) *

Stockton Thunder Wins Thrilling Barn Burner 6-5 (ECHL)

GAME RECAP: Stockton 6 - Las Vegas 5

03/28/2010 7:02 PM

ROCKIN' ROBIN(SON)
6,845 fans enjoy wild Thunder come-from-behind win, Robinson's hat trick

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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
VIDEO: Highlights and postgame locker room reaction
AUDIO (Coming soon): Game highlights

STOCKTON, Calif. - Left winger Matt Robinson completed a hat trick on a dramatic, game-winning goal with 59.5 seconds left in regulation, helping the Stockton Thunder overcome two separate three-goal deficits in a thrilling 6-5 come-from-behind win over the Las Vegas Wranglers before a crowd of 6,845 at Stockton Arena on Sunday afternoon.

The Thunder, whose magic number was reduced to three to clinch a Kelly Cup Playoff berth, moved to within two points of the idle Bakersfield Condors for first place in the Pacific Division, scored three goals in the final period and five of the last six goals in the game.

Matt Robinson celebrates his second goal of the game in the third period, giving the Thunder their first lead of the game, 5-4. (photo by George Steckler)

Chris D'Alvise (1g-2a) and J.F. Caudron (1g-1a) chipped in with multi-point games while Bryan Young added a first period goal for the Thunder, helping backup goaltender Kurtis Mucha earn the first win of his pro career.

The Wranglers raced out to a 3-1 lead by scoring on their first shot and first three out of ten. Chris Neiszner fired a bullet from of the rush past Andrew Perugini just 1:18 into the game for a 1-0 Las Vegas edge, and Alex Bourret followed with a rebound at the doorstep into an open net for a 2-0 lead and a Las Vegas power-play goal just 1:48 later.

After Greg Collins converted a turnover with a snapshot at the left circle to put the Thunder in a 3-0 hole with 8:28 remaining, Perugini was lifted for Mucha, who made his Thunder debut.

The move sparked an early Thunder rally when Young's one-timer beat Jimmy Spratt from between the circles with 4:13 left in the period, cutting the deficit to 3-1 when Young converted on Kelly Czuy's pass from behind the net.

Barry Goers' first goal of his pro career stunted the Thunder comeback early in the second period with a slapshot at the right point that glanced off Mucha's glove for a 4-1 Las Vegas lead, coming 21 seconds into the period.

Back-to-back goals by Robinson and Caudron sliced the deficit to one goal before the end of the period, beginning on a Robinson rebound for his 27th goal with 6:55 left to cut the Las Vegas lead to 4-2.

Caudron beat Spratt on a breakaway, converting off Oren Eizenman's outlet pass with 1:29 left in the period, closing the gap to 4-3 on his 17th goal of the season and putting the Thunder back in the game.

Following a series of near-misses in front of Spratt to being the third period, D'Alvise's 31st goal of the year leveled the score at 4-4 on the power-play with 7:05 left when he rifled Justin DaCosta's cross-ice pass with a one-timer past Spratt's glove from the right circle.

Just 27 seconds later, Ryan Constant's drive from the left point caromed off a Robinson screen to the back of the net, sending Stockton Arena into delirium with the Thunder's first lead of the game at 5-4.

Yet, the Wranglers regrouped and tied the score with three minutes remaining at 5-5 on Adam Miller's 32nd goal of the season, the beneficiary of a Craig Switzer centering feed at the goal mouth that caromed through Mucha's five-hole.

The stage was set for Robinson's heroics and his 29th goal of the year and hat trick restored pandemonium in Stockton Arena with the eventual game-winner with 59.5 seconds left when he picked up a loose puck at the neutral zone on a counter-attack and drilled a slap shot past Spratt's blocker side from the left wing.

After Las Vegas pulled Spratt for an extra skater, Las Vegas worked the puck deep but failed to register a shot on net, preserving Stockton's comeback win.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Brett Hemingway (healthy), Mark Pavli (injured reserve), Matt O'Dette (injured reserve), Trevor Hunt (healthy), Riley Emmerson (injured reserve) and Craig Valette (injured reserve) ... the Thunder finished the seven-game homestand at 4-3-0 ... Stockton registered its second comeback win when trailing after two periods ... the Thunder outshot Las Vegas, 32-27 and went 1-for-4 on the power-play ... eclipsing the 200,000 fan mark in attendance for the fifth straight season, the Thunder drew 20,615 fans during the weekend.

The Thunder returns to play Tuesday with its next game at 7:00 p.m., visiting the Bakersfield Condors at Rabobank Arena. The game can be heard on radio at 1280 KWSX and viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season Tickets for 2009-10 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. STK - 71 Matt Robinson
2. STK - 10 Chris D'Alvise
3. STK - 12 J.F. Caudron

Written by the Stockton Thunder

*Reprinted by Oilers Jambalaya with permission from Stockton Thunder Professional Hockey Club, ECHL. The Stockton Thunder are a proud 'AA' affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers (NHL) and Springfield Falcons (AHL) *

GAME RECAP: Stockton 7 - Victoria 2 (ECHL)

GAME RECAP: Stockton 7 - Victoria 2
03/17/2010 9:40 PM


03/17/2010 9:40 PM -
O'BROTHER!
Thunder routs Victoria on St. Patrick's Day to open seven-game homestand,
Hemingways, Hunts chip in

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Colin Hemingway continued his assault on Victoria's backchecking scheme with a goal and two assists, totaling 24 points in 15 games this year against the Salmon Kings. (photo by George Steckler)

STOCKTON, Calif. - All-Star center Chris D'Alvise (2g-1a) was one of five players to record multi-point games and help lead the Stockton Thunder (29-24-9, 67 points) to a 7-2 rout of the Victoria Salmon Kings before 4,072 fans at Stockton Arena on Wednesday.

In opening a seven-game homestand which includes eight of the last 11 games of the season at Stockton Arena, the Thunder, who led wire-to-wire in the game, improved to 12-2-4 at home since Dec. 4 and moved to a fourth place tie in the National Conference with Las Vegas, one point behind Victoria for third place.

Colin Hemingway and brother Brett were paired on the same line with Oren Eizenman and the brotherly duo combined for five points (3g-2a), while Eizenman had one assist. Defenseman Trevor Hunt, making his pro debut and brother Garet each recorded an assist as well.

On the first shift of the game, Eizenman batted a loose puck out of mid air at the doorstep to lift the Thunder to a 1-0 lead just 44 seconds in, after Brett Hemingway hit the post on a snap shot at the right wing and Colin Hemingway was stopped on a rebound from tight range.

Brett broke a nine-game goal-scoring drought to push the lead to 2-0, finishing a rebound at the right goal line after Daryl Marcoux was stopped on a wrist shot from between the circles.

Jimmy Sharrow converted a backdoor feed by Randall Gelech from the left corner just 42 seconds into the second period to slice the deficit to 2-1, but just 11 seconds later, a Daryl Marcoux long bomb pass found D'Alvise on a breakaway, who beat Matt Keetley inside the right goal post for his 27th goal of the year to restore the Thunder two-goal margin at 3-1.

Victoria got back into the game again on Chad Painchaud's 28th marker of the year with 14 minutes left in the period, taking a rebound below the left circle and sneaking it through Andrew Perugini's five hole for a 3-2 score.

Yet, a four-goal attack by Stockton put the game out of reach in the third period, beginning with Matt Robinson's career-high 25th goal of the year to boost the lead to 4-2 just 1:04 into the period off a rebound at the left post.

Just 45 seconds later, Igor Gongalsky caught a piece of Garet Hunt's spin-around shot from between the circles with a screen at the goal mouth and increased the bulge to 5-2 with his 13th goal of the season.

A blast by Colin Hemingway, his 23rd goal, hiked the Thunder lead to 6-2 when he teed up a loose puck at the right circle and beat Keetley past the glove.

D'Alvise's second goal of the game put on the finishing touches with 33.1 seconds left, burying a one-timer from inside of the left circle on a feed by James Bates from behind the net. Trevor Hunt completed his debut and +2 effort with an assist on the play, feeding the puck to Bates from the left point.

Perugini earned his 19th win of the season (19-12-4) by making 22 saves.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched J.F. Caudron (injured reserve), Riley Emmerson (healthy), Matt O'Dette (healthy) and Craig Valette (injured reserve) ... the Thunder outshot Victoria 37-24 and raced out to a 9-1 advantage in the opening minutes of the game ... Eizenman's pair of points boosted his scoring streak to seven straight games ... Marcoux earned the third star honors with a +4 rating and career-high three asssits ... Colin Hemingway's three-point effort gave him 24 points in 15 games against Victoria this season.

The Thunder continues the seven-game homestand on Friday at 7:30 p.m., hosting the Utah Grizzlies at Stockton Arena. The game can be heard and viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com , courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season Tickets for 2009-10 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. STK - 10 Chris D'Alvise
2. STK - 20 Colin Hemingway
3. STK - 27 Daryl Marcoux

CLICK HERE FOR THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE AT STOCKTONTHUNDER.COM

*Reprinted with permission from Stockton Thunder Professional Hockey Club, ECHL. The Stockton Thunder are a proud 'AA' affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers (NHL) and Springfield Falcons (AHL) *