7,526 fans see Roy collect fifth ECHL shutout, Levesque score twice

Published on February 17, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Goaltender Olivier Roy helped the Thunder close out Military Appreciation Weekend in style, stopping all 34 shots he faced and recording the fifth shutout of his professional career in a 4-0 victory for the Stockton Thunder (26-20-9, 61 points) over the San Francisco Bulls (19-26-7, 45 points) in front of 7,526 fans on Saturday at Stockton Arena.

"It really wasn't easy," Roy said afterwards, "They had some decent shots and they put some guys between the net. The guys made it easier. They cleared the rebounds. They took away the second chances."

Center Gabriel Levesque lead the Thunder with two goals, while forward Matt Reber finished with two assists. Center Eric Hunter and forward Matt Bergland each chipped in with a goal.

San Francisco's Taylor Nelson barely lasted into the second period, making 19 saves in 23 minutes before being replaced.

The Thunder began the game with a flurry, as center Gabriel Levesque left a backhanded pass for forward Matt Reber at the right circle. Reber blasted a shot that was saved by Nelson, but the rebound trickled out to the lip of the crease. Levesque swooped in and put home the rebound at the left post, giving the Thunder a 1-0 lead 5:34 into the game

Just 42 seconds later, center Eric Hunter fired a shot from the goal line at the left of the net. The puck sneaked past Nelson at the post (a la Patrick Kane) as the Thunder found themselves up 2-0 early in the first period.

The Thunder struck early in the second period as well. Collecting the puck from forward Garet Hunt at the right circle, Reber sent a shot that bounced off Nelson and in front of the goal. Racing to the puck, forward Matt Bergland rifled it into the open net, putting the Thunder up 3-0 just 1:13 into the middle frame.

Not done yet, the Thunder capitalized on a power play a little more than a minute later. Skating in the crease, Defenseman Teigan Zahn swung the puck across goal to the right post. Nelson raced to get his glove there in time, but Levesque got there first, stashing home the pass for his second goal of the game, which gave the Thunder a 4-0 lead 2:48 into the second period.

"I feel really good right now. We're in a good stretch," Levesque said, "I have chemistry with my line mates. I like my line, and our defense played really well."

That goal forced a San Francisco goaltender change, as Nelson was replaced by former Thunder goaltender Thomas Heemskerk (who split time with Roy for the Thunder last season).

Tensions finally boiled over at the 8:29 mark in the third period. Following a hit by Cody Carlson on Levesque, the teams broke out into a five-man brawl. After the officials sorted everything out, four players from both lines-Reber, Boisclair, Levesque, and defenseman Tony DeHart for Stockton; Carlson, Dylan King, Hans Benson, and Jordan Clendenning for San Francisco-were sent to the locker room.

"We started out really passing the puck well," Thunder head coach Matt Thomas said, "We came out with some clarity. We came out confident and made plays. Because of that, we got out to the lead, and the guys never stopped playing the same way."

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Jesse Fratkin, Kevin Noble, Matt Ambroz, Justin Maylan, and Cody Reichard ...the Thunder had just one less shot (18) in the first period tonight than the team had in regulation against Ontario last night...Maxime Boisclair has eleven points in his twelve games with the Thunder...Gabriel Levesque's scrap was the first of his professional career...Olivier Roy's shutout is his first in the ECHL since a 4-0 over Alaska on Mar. 3, 2012...the Thunder outshot the Bulls 45-34...all three goaltenders on the current Thunder roster have at least one career shutout...both teams combined for 144 penalty minutes.

The Thunder will now head to San Francisco to conclude the two-game series against the Bulls. The Sunday showdown is set for 2:15 p.m. (1280 AM KWSX/StocktonThunder.com) at the Cow Palace.

A two time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," the Thunder led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew over 200,000 fans for the seventh consecutive season in 2011-12. Season Tickets, Group Tickets and Mini-Plans for 2012-13 are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.StocktonThunder.com

THREE STARS:

1. STK - O. Roy

2. STK - G. Levesque

3. STK - M. Reber

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ECHL Stories from February 17, 2013


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