Levasseur Helps Bakersfield Steal Game 3 With 35-Save Shutout

Published on April 22, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Jean-Philippe Levasseur stopped all 35 shots he saw for the first postseason shutout of his career, helping the Bakersfield Condors send the Stockton Thunder to a 3-0 defeat at Stockton Arena on Wednesday night in Game 3 of the National Conference Semifinals of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs.

The Thunder, whose five-game winning streak in the playoffs was snapped but still holds a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, were backstopped by Andrew Perugini's 29 saves in spite of taking the loss. Stockton was shutout on home ice for their first time in postseason history, marking the first shutout loss in the playoffs since Apr. 11, 2007 against Idaho.

STOCKTON VS. BAKERSFIELD - NATIONAL CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

Game 1: Stockton 3 at Bakersfield 2 (OT)

Game 2: Stockton 4 at Bakersfield 3 (OT)

Game 3: Bakersfield 3 at Stockton 0

Game 4: Bakersfield at Stockton - Friday, April 23 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 5: Bakersfield at Stockton - Saturday, April 24 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 6: Stockton at Bakersfield - Tuesday, Apr. 27 - 7:00 p.m. (Rabobank Arena) *

Game 7: Stockton at Bakersfield - Wednesday, Apr. 28 - 7:00 p.m. (Rabobank Arena) *

* If necessary

"We had some good chances but we need to bury our chances, pure and simple," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "It's the way the playoffs go - some nights, the puck just doesn't go in. I thought we could have delivered more traffic on their goaltender but he was the difference. It doesn't change anything for us. We're already preparing for the next game and that's what we have to focus on, mentally."

After the game opened up with the Thunder and Condors trading quality scoring chances, Dan Kissel opened the scoring with a wrist shot off the rush from the right circle with 5:15 remaining in the first period.

Eric Regan's power-play goal stretched Bakersfield's lead to 2-0 with 2:03 left in the period, when he caught Perugini moving off the post and snuck a wrist shot through from a sharp, left angle.

The Thunder responded by nearly doubling up Bakersfield in shots, 15-9 in the second period, but were stonewalled by Levasseur when he denied a snapshot by Matt Marquardt off the rush early in the period, and stopped a Colin Hemingway one-timer at the doorstep with his left pad in the final minutes, upholding the 2-0 score at the end of two periods.

Menei put on the finishing touches with his third goal of the series with 7:21 left in the game, finishing off a backdoor feed at the left post when Voakes fed Menei on a 2-on-1 rush.

Kissel led Bakersfield's scoring with a goal and assist, while Sasha Pokulok and Voakes each chipped in with a pair of assists.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Brett Hemingway (inactive list), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Justin DaCosta (healthy) and Matt Robinson (healthy) ... the Thunder fell to 2-4, lifetime in Game 3 situations ... the Thunder outshot the Condors, 36-32 for the game and were held to just three power-play opportunities ... Bakersfield converted at 1-for-2.

The series continues on Friday at Stockton Arena for Game 4 between the Thunder and Condors, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard and viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge). Tickets for Thunder home playoff games are available by calling (209) 373-1700 or by visiting www.StocktonTickets.com.

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season Tickets for 2009-10 are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit http://www.stocktonthunder.com/.

-- ALL OUT, ALL SEASON --

THREE STARS:

1. BAK - 30 Jean-Philippe Levasseur

2. BAK - 10 Mark Voakes

3. STK - 4 Steve Vanoosten

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ECHL Stories from April 22, 2010


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