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Bunz's 38 saves not enough as Thunder fall to Wranglers in series finale

March 10, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Thunder goaltender Tyler Bunz (15-15-4) stopped 38 shots in net, but the Stockton Thunder (31-24-9, 71 points) was unable to stop the power play of the Las Vegas Wranglers (31-26-5, 67 points) in a 3-2 loss in front of 6,437 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday.

Forwards Shawn Weller and Gabriel Levesque each found the back of the net for the Thunder. Judd Blackwater continued his scoring run against his former team with two points and the game-winning goal for Las Vegas. Joe Fallon made 29 saves for the Wranglers.

"The biggest part of our game was the penalty kill," Weller said, "They score three goals and that's the game."

"Our penalty kill needs to step up," Thunder head coach Matt Thomas said, "It's hard to kill a penalty when you don't win face-offs. We have no centermen. Levesque is our only natural centerman, and he doesn't kill penalties. It was tough. We needed to be better in that situation."

The loss ended a Thunder run of 7-0-3 against Las Vegas, dating back to the 2011-12 season.

The Wranglers jumped out on the power play when Blackwater's shot bounced off Bunz and right to Chris Francis, who slid home the rebound to put Las Vegas up 1-0 4:10 into the first period.

With just 3:04 gone by in the second period, the Thunder evened the score on the power play. From the point, defenseman Brandon Davidson found defenseman Tony DeHart, who sent Weller a pass from the crease. Weller tipped the puck by Fallon at the lip of the crease to make the count 1-1.

Las Vegas took back the lead at the 14:11 mark of the second period. On the power play, Sean Wiles sent a one-timer from the right circle by Bunz's glove side to give the Wranglers a 2-1 lead.

Starting the third period playing four-on-four hockey, the Thunder attacked when forward Matt Reber dished the puck across ice to Levesque at the right circle. Levesque blasted a shot by Fallon to help the Thunder draw even with the Wranglers at 2-2 just 1:47 into the final frame.

The Wranglers pulled ahead again when Nolan Julseth-White's shot was tipped in the net by Blackwater, putting Las Vegas up 3-2 thanks to the power play goal 6:30 into the third period.

The Thunder pressed for the tying goal in the dying minutes, going on a six-on-four advantage with Bunz pulled for an extra attacker on the power play. However, the Thunder was unable to find the equalizer.

"We can't worry about the refs," said Weller, "We have to play through the calls that are made. Maybe some of those should have been penalties, maybe some those shouldn't have. But when it comes down to it you have to kill them off."

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Teigan Zahn, Ryan Green, Jesse Fratkin, Kevin Noble, and Justin Maylan ...the Thunder did not go on a power play during the first period...the Thunder was outshot - for the game and 17-10 in the first period...Brandon Davidson received a two-minute penalty at the end of the second period, his first penalty of his ECHL career (11 games)...Judd Blackwater totaled five points in the last two games against the Thunder... Stockton last previous loss in regulation against Las Vegas came on Jan. 20, 2012 (5-4 at Stockton Arena).

The Thunder will finish off the weekend with a Sunday showdown against the Ontario Reign. The puck will drop Mar. 10 at 4 p.m. at Stockton 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 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. LV - J. Blackwater

2. LV - C. Francis

3. STK - G. Levesque

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