Hayes' Hat Trick Powers Thunder To Epic Game 7 Win

Published on April 14, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Forward Ryan Hayes tallied the third playoff hat trick in Stockton Thunder history in a 6-4 victory over the Las Vegas Wranglers in Game 7 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in front of 4,168 fans at Stockton Arena on Sunday.

"What happened was what I was hoping would happen." Thunder head coach Matt Thomas said, "I hoped that we would come out and execute from the get-go. We played a hard series in terms of effort and competitiveness for six games, but we didn't really click offensively. It was nice to see it come together today."

The Thunder, who led wire to wire in the game, won the series 4-3 and eliminated the defending Western Conference champion Wranglers.

STOCKTON VS. LAS VEGAS- WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS (all times listed PT)

(Stockton wins series, 4-3)

Game 1: Las Vegas 2 at Stockton 3 (OT)

Game 2: Las Vegas 2 at Stockton 3 (OT)

Game 3: Stockton 0 at Las Vegas 3

Game 4: Stockton 2 at Las Vegas 5

Game 5: Stockton 0 at Las Vegas 3

Game 6: Las Vegas 3 at Stockton 3

Game 7: Las Vegas 4 at Stockton 6

Hayes led the way with four points. Defenseman Ryan Constant collected a goal and three points, while forward Andrew Clark totaled two assists. Forward Matt Bergland and defenseman Shawn Boutin also found the back of the net for the Thunder.

For the first time in the series, the Thunder opened the scoring. Hayes picked up the puck at the left circle and uncorked a wrist shot that sailed into the upper corner of the net, putting the Thunder up 1-0 8:25 into the first period.

Just 29 seconds later, Constant doubled the Thunder lead. Forward Andrew Clark's shot from the left circle bounced off Fallon and right to Hayes, whose rebound shot was stopped. However, the puck bounced up in front of the crease, and Constant poked it home for a 2-0 lead.

Late in the period, Constant blasted a shot from the point that bounced off Fallon and in front of the crease. Bergland was there to clean up the rebound, burying the puck to make it 3-0 18:18 into the opening frame.

Las Vegas got one pack with 4.2 seconds left in the period. Sean Wiles found Andrew Sarauer unmarked at the left of the crease to cut the lead to 3-1 heading into intermission.

Sarauer brought the Wranglers to within one just 38 seconds into the second period. Wiles' wrist shot from under the left circle was deflected by Sarauer past Roy off the right post, making the count 3-2.

After playing two players short for the majority of the second period, the Thunder provided a response thanks Boutin, who blasted a shot from the point that found its way through traffic and into the net, putting Stockton up 4-2 at the 14:39 mark.

On the rush, Constant flicked the puck back to forward Shawn Weller at the right circle. Weller swung the puck across the face of goal to Hayes, who was posted at the bottom of the left circle. Hayes sent a one-timer into the back of the net, restoring the three-goal advantage at 5-2 16:15 into the middle frame.

Hayes completed the hat trick 59 seconds into the third period, when Clark found Hayes at the left circle. Hayes protected the puck as he turned into the slot, firing a shot that slipped under Fallon's right pad. The hats flew onto the ice, and the Thunder had a 6-2 lead.

"It's what I always dreamed of as a little kid." Hayes said, "Game seven, always playing against my brother, trying to get that hat trick. But the win's always more important. It's a great win for our team."

The Wranglers reduced the deficit 16:54 into the third period. Channing Boe deflected Matt Campanale's shot from the point past Roy in front of the crease, making the count 6-3.

Las Vegas scored again just 41 seconds later. Campanale took Scott Pitt's pass at the slot and beat Roy, cutting the lead to 6-4.

The Wranglers attacked the net in the final minutes, though the Thunder was able to surive a 6-on-3 disadvantage to hold on for the win.

"It was a tough series right from the start." said Constant, "We knew it was going to be so. We were pretty evenly matched throughout the regular season. We knew it was going to be a battle right to the end. Coming into tonight, we knew that we had to be prepared. We just went out there and left it all on the line."

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Cameron Abney ...this was the first Game 7 at Stockton Arena in team history...the home team won every game of the series...the Thunder outshot the Wranglers 43-31 ...there were no penalties in the first two periods and Las Vegas was not penalized the entire game...Ryan Hayes' hat trick was the third for the Thunder this season (Toni Rajala on 12/17 at San Francisco [game played at HP Pavilion in San Jose] and Andrew Clark on 3/23 at San Francisco)...the other two playoff hat tricks in Thunder playoff history were by Stephane Goulet (4/20/08 vs. Las Vegas) and Cory Urquhart (4/10/09 at Ontario)...Matt Bergland left the game after receiving a late hit from Judd Blackwater 5:48 into the second period...Garet Hunt left and returned in the second period after taking a skate to the face...Matt Thomas improved to 3-2 in Game 7 scenarios as a head coach ... the Thunder improved to 1-1 in Game 7.

The Thunder advances to the Western Conference Semifinals for the second year in a row to face the Alaska Aces, who eliminated the Thunder last season. Game 1 will begin Friday, April 19 at Sullivan Arena at 8:15 p.m.

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 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 - R. Hayes

2. STK - R. Constant

3. STK - A. Clark

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