Tyler Bunz shuts door on Bulls with 26-save effort
February 17, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release
DALY CITY, Calif. - Goaltender Tyler Bunz made 26 saves for his first win since Jan. 5 and the Stockton Thunder (27-20-9, 63 points) used a pair of second period goals to sink the San Francisco Bulls in a 3-1 victory before 4,123 fans at the Cow Palace on Sunday.
The win gave the Thunder their first three game win streak since late November and meant their first win at the Cow Palace this season.
The Thunder and Bulls battled through a scoreless tie in the first period with Bunz picking up seven saves. His signature stop came on a hard wrister by Jonathan Lessard from the slot, who fell down while being checked but able to get the shot on net.
Eric Hunter stashed a rebound at 8:22 of the second period to open the scoring, after Thomas Heemskerk stopped Ryan Constant's bid from the right circle.
The Thunder then earned a four-on-three power play and eventually cashed in after a miraculous save by Heemskerk on a Brandon Davidson one-timer. Davidson took a Matt Reber feed from the left corner, set up at the inside of the left circle and fired a snap shot past Heemskerk's glove for a power play goal and 2-0 Thunder lead at the 18:10 mark.
Bunz kept the Bulls off the board in the period with ten saves.
Jordan Morrison's 15th goal of the season got the Bulls back into the game with 9:11 gone by in the period, converting a second chance rebound in the slot.
Constant wrapped up the game with an empty net goal with 32.2 seconds left.
Thomas Heemskerk took the loss with 26 saves.
NOTES: The Thunder scratched Jesse Fratkin, Kevin Noble, Matt Ambroz and Justin Maylan ... Davidson's goal marked the 15th time in the last 17 the Thunder converted a power play goal ... Davidson's goal was his third in three games since being assigned by Edmonton ... the Thunder outshot San Francisco, 29-27.
The Thunder returns to play on Wednesday, continuing their four game road trip at 7:00 p.m. (StocktonThunder.com) against the Ontario Reign.
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 - B. Davidson
2. STK - T. Bunz
3. SF - J. Morrison
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