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Ontario skates away with three goals in third period; Bunz stops 24 shots

February 21, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


ONTARIO, Calif. - The Ontario Reign used three goals in the third period to stop a rally by the Stockton Thunder (27-21-9, 63 points) and skate away in a 4-1 win before a crowd of 5,591 at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Wednesday.

The Thunder fell to 1-1-0 on its four game road trip and got on the board in the third period with a key goal by Matt Bergland. But the Reign, who countered 13 seconds and buried the game's two final goals, never looked back and got 21 saves by Dusty Carlson in net.

A penalty marred first period gave the Thunder four power plays but were unable to convert, despite earning a pair of key chances at the front of the net. Newcomer Shawn Weller, earning a pair of points in his first three games, earned two deflections at the goal mouth but both were turned away by Carlson's pads.

Thunder goaltender Tyler Bunz stopped all seven shots he saw in the opening period.

After the Thunder came up empty on their first five power play chances, C.J. Stretch eventually put Ontario up 1-0 with 4:56 left in the second period on a rebound goal at the left post. Following a booming hit by Garet Hunt at center ice, Ontario capitalized on a loose puck and a Thunder line change with an outnumbered rush.

D.J. King broke down the left wing and was stopped by Bunz's kick save on a wrist shot, but Stretch was left alone at the left post and tucked the rebound for his 27th goal of the season.

Rookie Mario Lamoureux then reached the 20-goal plateau at 1:21 of the third period, deflecting Brodie Sheahan's centering pass from the right wing past Bunz's right pad.

The Thunder responded with a pair of key shifts to regain pressure and cut the deficit to a goal. Brandon Davidson, set up by Tony DeHart's pass to the high slot, rifled a wrist shot to the upper corner of the net that Bergland deflected with 5:05 elapsed to cut Ontario's lead to 2-1.

On the ensuing shift, the Reign seized another two goal lead when Brady Calla corralled the puck after an unconventional bounce off the glass. With Bunz still getting in position to cover the short side post, Calla quickly snuck a wrist shot past him from the right circle for a 3-1 Reign lead.

Dan DaSilva then put the game away with a rebound goal at 8:13 for a 4-1 lead.

Bunz took the loss with 24 stops.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Jesse Fratkin, Teigan Zahn, Cameron Abney and Justin Maylan ... Ontario led the game in shots at 28-22 ... the Thunder fell to 2-2-1 in the season series ... Hunt and King dropped the gloves with 15:23 left in the first period, after King put a hit on DeHart in the right corner ... Ontario skated one player short of a full lineup during the game.

The Thunder returns to play tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. (1280 AM KWSX/StocktonThunder.com), visiting the Bakersfield Condors at Rabobank Arena.

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 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. ONT - B. Calla

2. ONT - M. Lamoureux

3. ONT - D. Carlson

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