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Late Thunder rally falls short

February 12, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


LOVELAND, Colo. - Kyle Jones made 36 saves for his 21st win of the season, enough to help the Colorado Eagles escape and defeat the Stockton Thunder (23-20-5, 51 points), 4-1 before 5,289 fans at Budweiser Events Center on Saturday night.

The Thunder, who outshot the Eagles 42-36, nearly raged back from a 2-0 deficit in the third period. After a Max Campbell goal to slice the deficit to 2-1, Stockton had a game-tying marker by Matt Foy waved off with 3:03 remaining in the game on a rebound chance that was shoved at the goal line.

Colorado added an insurance goal 33 seconds later and an empty netter by Liam Huculak to take back to back games in the weekend series.

"We didn't get the breaks we needed tonight," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "It was unfortunate because we played well and I thought we deserved better. Their goaltender did a good job. I thought we played great and played a strong game."

Thunder goaltender Olivier Roy stonewalled the first 12 Colorado shots - many from high quality scoring chance areas - but succumbed to Riley Nelson's game opening goal with 7:23 left in the first period. Nelson was tied up by Brock Matheson in the slot, but benefited from Kevin Ulanski's feed from the right circle which ricocheted off Nelson and past Roy's blocker.

Foy had an early bid to tie the game on a late first period power play but was foiled when he pursued a rebound in the slot and had a half open net. His slot was blocked by the Eagles defense, who followed by clearing the puck.

Roy and Jones traded point blank saves in the second period to keep the 1-0 score upheld through 40 minutes. Jones denied two close range saves on Jesse Fratkin and Jordan Fulton, while Roy denied two chances by Steve Haddon and Ben Chiarot before the horn sounded.

Ben Chiarot was awarded a penalty shot with 3:41 elapsed into the third period and converted to the stick side of Roy, putting Colorado ahead 2-0.

Campbell launched the Thunder comeback attempt with his second goal in as many games and fifth of the season with 9:41 to play. He cradled Mike Little's pass, raced behind the Colorado defense at the right circle and sniped a backhander under the crossbar.

The Thunder put in a bid to tie the game with 3:03 left, when Fulton spun a wraparound attempt on the Colorado net that Jones deflected into the crease. Foy's whack at the rebound goal was overturned with the Thunder celebrating and the 2-1 score was upheld.

Just 33 seconds later, Ulanski found Joey Sides in the slot for a key insurance goal, lifting Colorado to a 3-1 edge.

Liam Huculak wrapped up the game with an empty net goal with 53.1 seconds left.

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