"Rough & Ready Islanders" Suffer Second Loss to Alaska

Published on February 9, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


The Stockton Thunder (22-18-0-5) suffered a second-straight loss to the Alaska Aces (29-11-2-1) on Saturday night, losing by a final score of 5-2. The team has now lost three of its first four games on this seven-game road trip.

Stockton dealt with some bad luck hitting the post twice and having several other close chances stopped by Aces goaltender Gerald Coleman, who made 40 saves on the night. The 42 shots given up by Alaska were the most they had allowed in a game this season.

"We had lots of good scoring opportunities that we didn't bury," Head Coach Rich Kromm said. "We had open net opportunities that we didn't finish off. We created a lot of chances. I thought we started good, we lost a little momentum after the five-on-three goal and it took us a few minutes to get back to it. I was pretty happy with our five-on-five play overall."

It was the team's final game this weekend playing as the "Rough & Ready Islanders" wearing special jerseys to similar to their NHL affiliate the New York Islanders. The teams will next wear the uniforms for the final time this year on March 22 when the Aces come to Stockton Arena.

Things heated up even before the puck drop as both teams were involved in a brawl at center ice during the pre-game warm-up. Captain joint-leading goal scorer Garet Hunt was ejected from the game along with Alaska defenseman Dustin Molle. The pair has been suspended indefinitely pending a league review.

The squad got off to a good start in the first period as for the second straight game they scored the opening goal. Defenseman Sean Escobedo scored on a one-time slap shot from the point off a face-off win by James Henry. The goal, just 1:09 into the first period, was Escobedo's second as a professional.

However, also for the second straight game, Alaska had a good response. The Aces evened things up as forward Peter Sivak forced a turnover at the blue line and cut into the zone. The Czech Republic native beat goaltender Parker Milner with a low snap shot for his second goal in as many games.

Midway through the period Alaska earned a five-on-three power play after penalties by Lee Baldwin and Ryan Constant in quick succession. Team captain Nick Mazzolini made the Rough & Ready Islanders pay for it by tucking a shot over the glove of Milner from the side of the crease. Alaska's Jordan Morrison then gave the Aces a 3-1 lead going into the intermission as he knocked home a rebound goal off a shot by Turner Elson.

The Rough & Ready Islanders made a good start to the second period, outshooting the Aces 10-0 in the first seven minutes, but they could not find another goal. The Aces received another good chance on the power play after Nick Larson was assessed a double-minor penalty for high sticking. Defenseman Zach Davies scored to make it a 4-1 lead going into the second intermission.

The Isles had their work cut out for them starting the third period, but they were finally able to trim the lead with a power play goal. Defenseman Landon Oslanski took a shot from the point with Larson providing the screen and the deflection to knock it into the net for his second goal with Stockton this year. The tally made it 4-2 with 8:30 to play.

That was as close as things got, as the Aces once again finished things up with a late empty net goal to seal their second straight win on the weekend. Forward Ring Ross-Jarvi scored from center ice with 1:15 remaining for the 5-2 score line.

The teams get back in action for game three of their five-game set on Sunday. Puck drops at 4:05 p.m. PST (3:05 p.m. AKT). The squads will also meet up on Tuesday and Thursday before the Thunder return home for their next game at Stockton Arena on February 15, when they host the Utah Grizzlies.

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