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9,323 fans enjoy "Fan Appreciation" night victory, Roy's 33 stops

March 25, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Goaltender Oliver Roy made 33 saves while a goal and an assist each from Jesse Fratkin and Jordan Fulton helped lead the Stockton Thunder (32-31-5, 69 points) to a 3-2 victory over the Bakersfield Condors before a crowd of 9,323 on "Fan Appreciation" night at Stockton Arena on Saturday.

The Thunder, preparing for the Kelly Cup Playoffs by closing out the regular season home schedule with a record of 19-14-3 and drawing over 200,000 fans for the seventh straight season at Stockton Arena, moved to within three points of fourth place Colorado in the Western Conference. They were also aided on a game winning goal by Chris D'Alvise in the second period.

"We talked a lot about enjoying the opportunity of playing at this time of year," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "It's meaningful hockey - every game, every play, everything means so much and it only gets more intense. You've got to enjoy it. If you stress about it, I don't think you can play to the potential that you should be."

Kyle Calder collected a pair of goals to lead Bakersfield's offense. The Thunder won the season series, 8-5-0 against Bakersfield.

Calder scored at 2:26 of the first period on a wraparound to put Bakersfield up 1-0 but the Thunder quickly responded at 7:37 when Jesse Fratkin earned his 10th goal of the season, converting a centering feed by Jordan Fulton from the left goal line.

Calder shot back and converted on a 3-on-1 break for Bakersfield just 2:02 later for a 2-1 Condors lead, but the Thunder provided another answer on Fulton's 16th goal of the season. After Bakersfield goaltender Matt Keetley fumbled a rebound produced by Foy's bid from the right circle, Fulton stashed the second chance at the right post.

With play settling down in the second period, the Thunder built a lead in the shots, 9-8 and also found opportunity to capitalize on a Bakersfield breakdown at center ice.

The Thunder did it by taking their first lead of the game with 5:48 left in the second period when D'Alvise's 11th goal of the season came on a breakaway, set up by a feed from Sebastian Owuya from the Thunder blueline. D'Alvise successfully raced past the Condors defense and deked Matt Keetley to the glove side with a forehand shot.

The third period produced the only Thunder power play of the game after Alex Hudson was whistled for tripping, but Keetley kept the one goal gap intact and both teams battled down to the final minutes. Roy stopped a key 2-on-1 break by denying Evan Trupp's wrist shot from the right circle.

Keetley was pulled for an extra attacker in the last minute of play, giving the Condors a 6-on-5 skating situation.

After securing low cycle in the offensive zone, Roy denied two close chances by Ryan Annesley and Parker Stanfield. One final shot from the right wing was stopped by Roy at the final horn, giving the Thunder the win.

Keetley took the loss with 19 saves.

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