Sports stats



Bergland's big night powers Thunder to 2-1 series lead

April 26, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder used a three-goal first period to take an early lead and held on for a 5-3 win over the Alaska Aces in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals, taking a 2-1 series lead in front of 3,297 fans at Stockton Arena on Thursday.

"We wanted to concentrate on the first period." Thunder head coach Matt Thomas said, "We talked about making sure it was a difference-maker and a positive for us."

Forward Matt Bergland led the Thunder with two goals and three total points. Forwards Andrew Clark and Maxime Boisclair each scored and had two point games, while forward Harrison Reed notched the other goal for the Thunder. Captain Garet Hunt and forward Ryan Hayes each tallied two assists.

STOCKTON VS. ALASKA - WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS (all times listed PT)

(Stockton leads, 2-1)

Game 1: Stockton 2 at Alaska 5

Game 2: Stockton 5 at Alaska 3

Game 3: Alaska 3 at Stockton 5

Game 4: Alaska at Stockton - Friday, April 26 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 5: Alaska at Stockton - Sunday, April 28 - 6:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 6: Stockton at Alaska - Tuesday, April 30 - 8:15 p.m. (Sullivan Arena)*

Game 7: Stockton at Alaska - Wednesday, May 1 - 8:15 p.m. (Sullivan Arena)*

*If necessary

"It was a big game." Bergland said, "It's the first game at home, so you we to establish our home ice and come out and start the weekend off with a win. It feels good."

Goaltender Olivier Roy stopped 29 shots in net. Alaska's Gerald Coleman took the loss with 20 saves in relief of Mark Guggenberger, who made three stops on just seven shots before being pulled in the first period.

"I thought Olivier had his best game of the entire playoffs tonight." said Thomas, "I thought he was great, and he needed to be great. We got a great performance from our goaltender."

Zach Harrison got the scoring when he deflected Chris Clackson's shot from the right circle in front of the crease just 2:28 into the first period.

The Thunder response came from Bergland, who picked up a bouncing puck in the slot and firing a shot on net. The puck sailed by Guggenberger's glove and tied the game at 1-1 at the 5:09 mark of the first period.

Just 49 seconds later, Boisclair took a pass from Hayes at the right circle and sent a wrist shot into the back of the net. Boisclair's first goal of the playoffs gave the Thunder a 2-1 lead.

Forward Matt Reber stole the puck at the midline and made a dash at the net down the right side. Though his backhand attempt was stopped, the puck bounced on the crease to Bergland, who stuffed it in the open net for a 3-1 Thunder lead 9:06 into the opening frame.

Bergland's goal drew a move from the Alaska bench, as Guggenberger was replaced by Coleman.

At the 16:03 mark, Bobby Hughes brought the Aces back within one. Alexandre Imbeault threaded a pass to a wide open Hughes at the base of the right circle, who roofed a wrist shot in the net to make the count 3-2.

Just past the midway point of the second period, Hayes stole the puck at the blue line and dished it to Garet Hunt at the left circle. Hunt took a drop pass and whipped another one to the front of the net, where it was tipped over Coleman's glove by Clark and upped the Thunder lead to 4-2 11:33 into the middle frame.

Reed lifted the Thunder lead to 5-2 with a blast from the left circle that beat Coleman through traffic at 7:46 into the third period.

Andy Taranto made the count 5-3 with a backhand shot in front of the crease at the 9:26 mark.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Ryan Constant and Cameron Abney ...Landon Oslanski made his professional debut with the Thunder and earned an assist...the Aces outshot the Thunder 32-29...Eric Hunter left the game in the second period after taking a stick to the nose but returned to play ...Stockton won its seventh game in a row at home, dating into the regular season...the Thunder improved to 5-7 in Game 3 scenarios in postseason history and won its first since the 2010 Conference Final.

These two teams will be back on the ice tomorrow for Game 4 at Stockton Arena at 7:30 p.m. (1360 KFIV/StocktonThunder.com).

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 - M. Bergland

2. STK - M. Boisclair

3. STK - G. Hunt

• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...

ECHL Stories from April 26, 2013


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.

OurSports Central