Rough & Ready Islanders Hold off Aces in OT

Published on March 23, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


The Stockton Thunder, playing in their final game as the Rough & Ready Islanders, surrendered three third period goals to the Aces but thanks to Lee Baldwin the Isles prospered over the Aces 5-4.

The Rough & Ready Islanders took down the Alaska Aces, the best team in the Western Conference, in overtime by the final score of 5-4 Saturday night at Stockton Arena.

After being outshot and out scored in the third period in route to surrendering their 4-1 lead, defenseman Lee Baldwin collected the rebound off his own shot and lifted the Thunder to the extra point. The defenseman was able to score off the feed from recently returned forward Joey Martin .

"I got the puck on my stick and I saw Martin who is a reliable guy to pass the puck to," said Baldwin. "Martin then gave me a drop pass so I decided to throw the puck on net. I then followed it up and it happened to bounce right on my stick again so I jammed it in."

From the get go the Thunder were ready to get "rough" as Captain Garet Hunt came to blows with Alaska defenseman Zach McKelvie just two seconds into the game. The fight got the 5,825 in attendance louder than they already were, keeping the intensity in the crowd apparent through the entire game.

"I think Hunt set the tone showing the intensity right off the hop, with the other guy willing, which got the crowd into it right away," said Head Coach Rich Kromm . "I thought our first period was really good. Our intensity was good, our physical play was good so I was really happy with the first period. The second they took some of the momentum away but going in 4-1 we should be able to handle that lead."

Much of the action for the Thunder transpired in the first period when they scored a trio of goals, with forward Corey Trivino collecting the first and last goals of the period. The only tally of the first period Trivino didn't score he still picked up an assist to complete his three point period.

Trivino scored on the first shot of the game for the Thunder when he hammered the puck past Alaska goaltender Gerald Coleman after the initial shot from Joey Diamond went high above the goaltender but rebounded off the back boards to Trivino's stick.

"It was a point shot that went real wide," said Trivino. "The goaltender overcompensated for it and the puck bounced and I was able to be there at the door step and put it in the empty net."

The second goal of the period for the Thunder came from defenseman Ben Rosen, who connected on his sixth goal of the season right off the faceoff win from Trivino.

"Our basic draw is just to win it back to the left point man and Trivino won it back," said Rosen. "I tried to maneuver the puck past their guy coming out to me and the next thing I know everyone was celebrating so I was happy with that."

With only 18 seconds left on the game clock in the first period, it was again Trivino who beat the Alaska netminder, this time on the power play.

"We were able to move the puck around real well, kind of being snake bitten," said Trivino. "It was near the end, we were kind of tired you could see so I just came around the circle and fire it at the net and it squeaked in."

Sandwiched in between the first and second goals for the Thunder was Alaska's only tally of the first period, courtesy of forward Evan Trupp. Trupp collected the puck in his defensive zone, then weaved his way up the ice, ultimately beating Thunder goaltender Brian Foster far side.

Early in the second period, Martin extended the lead for the Thunder off the pass from none other than Trivino who collected four points on the night. After defenseman Mathieu Gagnon fed Trivino on the breakout, the forward carried the puck down the near side of the ice waiting for the perfect time to pass to Martin. Off the timely pass, Martin put one upstairs on Coleman to put the Thunder up 4-1.

The Thunder went scoreless over the next 38:39 while in that time Alaska tied the game with three consecutive goals. After their first tally in the opening frame, Alaska scored three goals in the third to force overtime. Center Nick Mazzolini scored the first with 10:45 left in regulation.

Alaska then connected twice in a 47 second stretch against Foster, the first from forward Brett Findlay and the second from Trupp for his second tally of the game. The Trupp tally forced extra time but Baldwin closed the door on the comeback bid with his overtime winner. Foster ended his night with 30 saves on 34 shots faced, including key stops late in the third period.

The Thunder are back in action tomorrow afternoon against the same Alaska team, looking to complete the home sweep. Puck drop is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. with doors opening at 3:00 p.m.

Fans can purchase their Thunder Pride Packs for just $38, featuring four Upper End Zone tickets, four hot dogs, and four sodas. Purchase your pack online and get a Thunder hat at no additional charge.

Fans are also encouraged to leave a bit early as Caltrans has alerted the team this week that fans coming Southbound I-5 will have to detour around the closed Fremont St. off-ramp. Fans coming that way can exit and follow detour signs off Monte-Diablo Avenue.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from March 23, 2014


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.

OurSports Central