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Reign escape Thunder in wild finish before 6,124 fans at Stockton Arena

March 3, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Kyle Kraemer's goal in the third period ended an offensive flurry lasting for nearly three minutes, enough for the Ontario Reign to hold off the Stockton Thunder (30-23-5, 78 points), 4-3 in front of 6,124 fans at Stockton Arena on Sunday.

"We didn't quit," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "We kept coming at Ontario and the guys believed, even though we knew the clock was our enemy near the end. We kept pushing."

Both teams split the home and home series which featured the Thunder nearly coming back from a 3-0 deficit in the third period. Stockton's power play - ranking third in the ECHL at the game's start - was held to an 0-of-9 effort.

Shawn Weller was also stopped on a penalty shot in the third period.

The Reign opened the scoring early at 1:10 in the first period with a deflection by Everett Sheen at the right post, just moments after Tyler Bunz made two phenomenal saves on Brodie Sheahan at the crease. Seconds later they went on the penalty kill, which unraveled into a 5-on-3 Thunder power-play advantage that Stockton was unable to capitalize on.

Ontario increased their lead to 2-0 late in the second, when Kevin Estrada stashed his third goal of the season following a rebound off the pads of Tyler Bunz.

With 8.1 seconds left in the period the Thunder crashed the net, delivering a goal that was waved off with a goaltender interference call on Matt Ambroz, who was embattled in a collision at the crease with Sheahan.

Matt Register ignited the final period by tallying Ontario's third goal of the night with 18:51 left in the third period on the power play for a 3-0 lead.

Maxime Boisclair then put the Thunder on the board, trailing 3-1 just 2:31 into the period when he took Matt Reber's drop pass at the right circle and fired a lazer past Carrozzi's blocker.

On the next shift, Brandon Davidson completed Garet Hunt's pass from behind the net and blasted a one timer past Carrozzi from the left circle just 43 seconds later, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

With the crowd buzzing, the Thunder went back to work in the offensive zone but were caught deep and Ontario emerged with a two-on-one break. Kyle Kraemer opted to shoot and ripped a wrist shot from the right circle for his 25th goal of the season, restoring the Reign lead to two goals just 17 seconds after Davidson's goal.

The Thunder went back to work in shaking off the wild momentum swing and nearly cashed in on a shorthanded breakaway by Shawn Weller, who was hooked from behind. Weller earned a penalty shot with 12:56 left in the period, but his deke attempt to the backhand slid away and was stopped by Carrozzi's left pad.

The Thunder then pulled Bunz for an extra attacker and put up one last fight on Matt Bergland's goal with 26.5 seconds left in the game, when he set a screen at the net and deflected Tony DeHart's shot past Carrozzi's glove.

Ontario escaped with the one goal win and Bunz took the loss with 21 saves.

"We worked hard and at the end of the day that's what we're always looking for," said Thomas. "We have to forget about this one and figure out how to win against Vegas this weekend."

Carrozzi picked up the win with 27 saves.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Teigan Zahn, Ryan Green, Jesse Fratkin, Kevin Noble, Cameron Abney and Justin Maylan...Brandon Davidson scored his ninth point in nine games... Stockton skated one player short of a full lineup during the game ... the Thunder fell to 4-4-1 in the season series against Ontario.

The Thunder returns to play at home on Friday at 7:30 p.m. (1280 AM KWSX/Stocktonthunder.com), hosting the Las Vegas Wranglers at Stockton Arena.

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 for 2012-13 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. ONT - K. Kraemer

2. STK - B. Davidson

3. ONT - B. Sheahan



ECHL Stories from March 3, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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