Five-Goal Third Period Sinks Thunder

April 10, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


For the first time all season the Thunder lost in regulation after leading two periods of play as the Ontario Reign scored all five of their goals in the final frame beating the Thunder 5-3 to end the season series between the teams.

"We can't let them do what they did to us in the second period," explained Head Coach Rich Kromm. "They took momentum from us in that period because we were careless with the puck."

Despite being held scoreless in the second, the Reign tested Brian Foster with 13 shots with many coming as high quality scoring chances, but you could see momentum turn with every turnover leading the the big third period for Ontario.

The Thunder however did get out to a great start just under five minutes into the game when they silenced the Citizens Business Bank Arena crowd courtesy of Adam Brace who was able to slide a backdoor feed from Ryan Hayes behind Ontario goaltender Jussi Olkinuora to put the Thunder up 1-0 just 4:54 into the game.

The play began with a turnover that was jumped on by Ryan Constant who then threw the pass across the ice where Matt Mangene jumped on it. The former University of Maine player stopped and found Hayes coming in across the line and Hayes zipped the pass across Brace and in.

With both teams goaltenders shutting the door down in the second it gave the Thunder the 1-0 lead heading into the third period. The Thunder, boasting a 26-0-1-4 when leading after two periods, would allow a quick goal to start the period when Derek Couture's shot would deflect off of Marc Cantin's stick and past Foster to tie the game up at one apiece.

The Ontario captain would make it 2-1 moments later when Matt White's shot went off the endboards and caromed back to the side of the net. With Foster scrambling to get back into the cage, the Reign crashed the net and with sticks flailing, it would be Couture to get on the end of it. It looked like Garet Hunt was able to fish the puck out of the net but ultimately the refs deemed it a goal.

Under three minutes later, the Reign would continue their blitzkrieg of the Thunder when Lane Scheidl got a puck to Tyler Gron and put him on a breakaway. Gron's shot bounced off a piece of Foster and popped the top of the net, fooling near everyone that it indeed was a goal, but seconds later Gron was given the goal and gave his team the 3-1 lead.

Credit the Thunder for the quick response as Nick Tremblay was able to dipsy-doodle around an Ontario defender and rip a wrist shot past Olkinuora and in to bring the Thunder within one.

The scoring would continue just over five minutes later when Maxim Kitsyn bounced a puck off the skates of Mangene and past Foster to make the score 4-2.

The rollercoaster third period continued just 29 seconds later with a Thunder on a two-on-one break that was worked to perfection. Andrew Clark zipped a pass across the ice to Jeremy Langlois and the man who was just named to the ECHL All Rookie team buried the goal to bring the Thunder once again within one.

With Foster brought to the bench the Thunder tried to push for the tying goal late in the third however the strategy would fall short as Schiedl scored his third of the season in just his sixth game with the team to seal the Ontario 5-3 victory.

Next up for the Thunder is a trip up to Bakersfield to finish the season series off with the Condors on Friday. That game begins at 7:00 p.m. with the University Plaza Waterfront Hotel watch party starting at 6:00 p.m.

The Thunder concludes the regular season with their final home game of the year against the Las Vegas Wranglers on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The first 1,500 fans in the building receive white rally towels to help cheer on the Thunder. It's also group appreciation night so if you brought out a group to a Thunder game this season, take advantage of bringing your group out again at special prices. Contact your ticket rep or call 209-373-1500 to learn how.



ECHL Stories from April 10, 2014


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