Foster Dazzles in Overtime Win against Colorado

November 9, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


Andrew Clark was able to ensure his goaltender got the win as he banked in the game winner for the 3-2 overtime victory.

Thunder goaltender Brian Foster had an impressive 36 save performance as the Stockton Thunder were able to beat the Colorado Eagles in overtime 3-2.

It took only 2:20 into the extra frame for Andrew Clark to bank a shot off of Colorado goaltender Marc Cheverie to ensure his team split the two-game set in "The Centennial State".

"I just tried banking the puck off [Cheverie] hoping it would go in," said Clark. "I've seen a lot of guys in the NHL do it, and while it isn't pretty, it is effective."

Another effective piece for the Thunder was Foster, who kept his team in the game as the Eagles outshot the Thunder 38-27. While the Pembroke, NH native made a number of fantastic saves, none were better than the desperation save he made 30 seconds into overtime. Colorado forward Ray Sawada had the Thunder keeper down on the ice but Foster was able to stretch his pad in midair to stun the Eagles forward.

"That's just a situation where you see the guy right there and all you can do is hope to get part of your body in the way," explained Foster. "Luckily I was able to get my leg on it."

The Thunder got the scoring started back in the first when Kirill Kabanov sniped a shot past Colorado's Marc Cheverie just past the midway mark of the first period. For the Russian, it was his 4th goal on the year, which ties him with Ryan Hayes for the team lead in goals.

Kabanov would pick up his second point of the evening on the power play as he zipped a pass through the slot that found the stick of Corey Trivino, who then slammed in the backdoor feed for his first goal of the season and his first goal as a member of the Thunder.

"I got a big gorilla off my back," said Trivino. "I'm hoping now I can get a couple more. I'm just going to try to do the right things and keep shooting. Hopefully, it'll start going in more often."

Just four minutes after Trivino's tally, it'd be the Eagles turn to score. An offensive zone draw for the Eagles was won back to defenseman Mark Nemec who fired the initial shot that deflected to Ray Sawada in the slot. The former 2nd round Dallas Stars draft pick was then able to turn and chip the puck past Foster to cut the Thunder lead in half.

Then late in the third the Eagles were able to find the tying goal thanks to recently assigned Jonathan Parker. Parker, reassigned from the Rochester Americans of the AHL on Thursday, received a feed from Jesse Mychan and one timed it past Foster from the point.

The game would go to overtime where the aforementioned Clark would score the game winner, and while Head Coach Rich Kromm was happy with the overtime win, he knew that his goaltender deserved a lot of credit for keeping the team in the game.

"Brian Foster was outstanding all night long," said Coach Kromm. "He kept us alive and gave us a chance to win tonight."

Kabanov had a two-point night while Landon Oslanski, Nathan Deck, Joey Martin, Ryan Hayes, and Sean Escobedo would pick up assists.

Hayes is the first Thunder player to crack double-digit points as his team leading 10 points puts him right ahead of Kabanov with 8. Brian Foster remains undefeated on the year as the goaltender improves his record to 4 wins and 0 losses.

"I feel really good right now," said Foster. "I think the team is doing well. Everyone is starting to come together."

The Thunder are set to arrive in Stockton tomorrow only to turn around and head south for a 4 p.m. showdown against the Bakersfield Condors on Sunday. The team will then head home and play host to the San Francisco Bulls on Monday. That Monday night game is scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m. where active military and veterans can get $5 off select seating locations with their military ID as part of Military Monday.



ECHL Stories from November 9, 2013


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