Thunder Play Utah in Game Two of Three
February 28, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release
A slightly later start in Utah at 7:05 p.m. PST will pit the Thunder and Grizzlies against each other with Stockton hoping to snap a losing skid.
Arena: Maverik Center
Date: Saturday, February 28
Time: 7:05 p.m. PST
Broadcast: ECHL.TV and Spreaker beginning at 6:50 p.m. PST
This Year's Record: Stockton is 3-3-0-0 vs. Utah
Follow the Thunder Facebook Page for occasional updates or follow @StocktonThunder on Twitter for the play-by-play tweeting!
Last Time vs. Utah
After a first period full of beautiful saves from both Kent Simpson and Igor Bobkov, the Thunder were able to break through early in the second while Corey Fienhage found himself in the penalty box.
James Henry found Adam Phillips for the one-timer and while Bobkov made the initial save, Thunder captain Garet Hunt was there to deposit the rebound into the back of the net. That would be the score up until the later stages of the second when Ryan Hayes tipped past a T.J. Syner pass past Simpson to tie the game.
Just before the midway mark in the third, the former Thunder forward would find his second straight goal when his shot beat Simpson up high. Moments later a turnover in the Thunder zone found it's way onto the stick of Alex Krushelnyski and the All-Star forward would put the Grizzlies up by two. Mathieu Aubin added then empty netter for the 4-1 Utah win.
Tonight
The Thunder look to snap a skid of five-straight losses and begin a mad dash to the playoffs. With 18 games remaining, the Thunder can reach a high of 69 points, meaning the Thunder have to win, and win often, if they hope for postseason play.
Who to Watch
We've used this space to mention so many great players, and recently, it seems that we've spoken so much about guys like Vinny Scarsella, Tyler Shattock, Tyler Maxwell, and most recently Jack Combs.
While fans should certainly watch those players, it's time to keep an eye on the face of the franchise.
Garet Hunt has had his most productive month of the season, scoring 4 goals and adding 2 assists in the 11 games of February. With one more game to go, Hunt has a chance to match and potentially exceed the 156 career points that marks the team's lead in points. While Mike Lalonde currently holds said honor, it could fall to the man who is in his seventh season with the Thunder.
All-Time Watch
To continue on the above paragraphs, the scoring situation between Garet Hunt, Ryan Constant and Mike Lalonde is in danger of falling to one of the Thunder's star players very soon.
Lalonde's 156 career Thunder points is in jeopardy as Garet Hunt pulled within a point of the tying the record with 155 while Ryan Constant sits right behind him at 151.
Both Hunt and Constant have missed time due to injuries this season as Hunt missed 11 games while Constant was placed on Injured Reserve on December 14.
Hunt is the only one close to Lalonde's all-time record of 72 goals with his 61 markers, putting the Thunder captain 11 shy of tying the record.
Combs Makes his Debut
Jack Combs made his debut with the Thunder on Wednesday, playing primarily with Tyler Maxwell and Adam Phillips. He saw time on the power play and penalty kill in what was his first game in North America since January 11 and only fourth since.
While Combs made his debut, he went pointless for just the fifth time in his 2014-15 ECHL season and finished the game -1. Seeing as Combs still ranks tied-seventh in the ECHL in scoring, we venture a guess that he'll find his first point as a member of the Thunder sooner rather than later.
Interesting Fact
Garet Hunt scored his 10th goal on Wednesday, marking the third time in his seven-year pro career he scored 10 or more goals. Hunt did so in 2010-11 (13 goals), 2013-14 (career-high 14 goals) and this season with 10 goals and 18 games to go.
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ECHL Stories from February 28, 2015
- Americans Fall to Brampton in Overtime 6-5 - Allen Americans
- Walleye return the favor to K-Wings - Kalamazoo Wings
- Beast Take Overtime Thriller in Texas - Brampton Beast
- Gladiators Outslugged in 5-3 Contest - Atlanta Gladiators
- Eagles Fly Past Aces, 6-2 - Colorado Eagles
- Mavericks Topped 4-2 by Mallards Late Push - Kansas City Mavericks
- Slow Start Spoils IceMen's Homecoming - Evansville IceMen
- Stingrays Rally Past Everblades 4-3 - Florida Everblades
- Oilers End Season Series against Rush with 6-2 Setback - Tulsa Oilers
- Banwell Lifts Road Warriors Past Wheeling in Overtime - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Nailers Earn Point for Third Straight Game - Wheeling Nailers
- Fuel Sweep Komets with 5-4 Shootout Win - Indy Fuel
- Cyclones Roll Past IceMen, 4-2 - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Mallards Rally, Defeat Mavs 4-2 - Quad City Mallards
- Stingrays Fight Back to Defeat Everblades and Tie Team Record with 13th Consecutive Win - South Carolina Stingrays
- Eagles Acquire Goaltender Crandall in Trade with Aces - Colorado Eagles
- Condors Rally Falls Just Short against Idaho, 5-4 - Bakersfield Condors
- ECHL Transactions - February 28 - ECHL
- Condors vs. Idaho - Bobblehead Giveaway/McFarland Night Tonight - Bakersfield Condors
- Gladiators Game Preview: Gladiators at Solar Bears - Atlanta Gladiators
- Beast Unable to Weather Thunder Strike - Brampton Beast
- Gogol's stunning goal with 1:25 left lifts Aces to 2-0 on road trip - Alaska Aces
- Nailers vs. Road Warriors Game Day Snap Shot - Wheeling Nailers
- Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati at Evansville - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Countdown to Face-Off: Kalamazoo Wings at Toledo Walleye - Kalamazoo Wings
- Hockey Doubleheader in Allen - Allen Americans
- Game Preview: Tulsa Oilers at Rapid City Rush - Tonight at 8:05 p.m. (CST) - Tulsa Oilers
- Thunder Play Utah in Game Two of Three - Stockton Thunder
- Rush All Set for "Dr. Seuss Night" - Rapid City Rush
- ECHL Today - February 28 - ECHL
- Stingrays Game Preview: Stingrays Close Road Trip and Chase History Tonight against Everblades - South Carolina Stingrays
- Two Games for the Price One: Police V. Fire & Americans V. Beast - Allen Americans
- Royals Come Back from Four Goal Deficit to Earn a Point - Reading Royals
- Pszenyczny's OT Winner Gives Oilers Fifth Consecutive Victory - Tulsa Oilers
- Rush Fight Hard For Point In Overtime Loss - Rapid City Rush
- Jackals Battle Back Twice in Third But Fall in Ten-Round Shootout - Elmira Jackals
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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