New Faces Help Thunder Defeat Eagles 5-0

Published on October 20, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


On the night when the Stockton Thunder raised their 2012-13 Western Conference Championship Banner, the Thunder defeated the Colorado Eagles by a final score of 5-0.

"It was a total team effort tonight," said Coach Kromm. "If we can get that effort every night, and spread the wealth around a bit as far as the offensive production goes, we'll continue to win games. You don't want to rely on one-line doing all the scoring, and tonight, our depth showed."

Five different Thunder players tallied goals including Garet Hunt, Kirill Kabanov, Brayden Irwin, Mike Keenan and Mike Dalhuisen.

The Thunder beat down the Eagles not only with their goals, but also their fists. Thunder forward Mathieu Gagnon found himself in two separate scraps while Mike Dalhuisen and Kirill Kabanov both fought once.

Stockton goaltender Brian Foster didn't see much action early in the game as the Thunder held Colorado to 7 first period shots. Foster would come up big when he needed to as he stopped 22 shots in the last two frames to get the 29-save shutout in his Thunder debut.

The Thunder rode the emotional high of the banner raising by scoring the first goal only 32 seconds into the first period. The goal was fittingly scored by none other than Captain Garet Hunt off a deflection from Assistant Captain Ryan Constant.

Later in the first period one of the Thunder's new faces, Kirill Kabanov, drilled home the puck past Eagles goalie Trevor Cann. Cann misplayed a clearing attempt that went directly to Kabanov who fired the puck into the back of the net.

Just over five minutes later on the power-play, forward Brayden Irwin rocketed a shot past the glove side of Cann making the lead 3-0. The Thunder dominated the Eagles outshooting them 14-7 through the first 20 minutes.

The Thunder would remain in control of the game as they scored two more goals in the second period, both coming on the power play. The first goal came off the stick of Mike Keenan, who had recently been sent down by Bridgeport. That goal would end Cann's night as the Eagles would bring in Adam Brown, who started for Colorado Friday night in the shootout win over Bakersfield. Cann allowed 4 goals on 16 shots.

The goaltending change wouldn't make a huge difference as the Thunder's other newest face, Mike Dalhuisen received a pass from Kabanov and laced in a shot from the point on the power play. The goal solidified both Dalhuisen and Kabanov achieving a Gordie Howe Hat Trick (1 fight, 1 goal and 1 assist).

Kabanov, Dalhuisen, Keenan and Irwin all picked up two points while Ryan Constant, Ryan Hayes, Corey Trivino and Matt Bergland all picked up assists.

The Thunder are back in action Wednesday, October 23 as they welcome Ontario to the Stockton Arena with the puck drop at 7:00 P.M. Wednesday's tilt will be a Family Night at the arena. For just $38, families receive four tickets, four hot dogs, and four sodas. Buy online and the same $38 package includes one Thunder hat . This game will also be the last home game until Thunder Goes Pink Weekend on November 1 and 2.

First Star: Brian Foster, G, 29 save Shutout

Second Star: Kirill Kabanov, F, 1 Goal and 1 Assist

Third Star: Garet Hunt, F, 1 Goal

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