Thunder battles back in third, closes regular season in one-goal defeat

April 1, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


BOISE, Idaho - Marty Flichel had two assists and Chad Nehring collected a goal and an assist, enough to help the Idaho Steelheads send the Stockton Thunder (34-33-5, 73 points) to a 4-3 defeat in the regular season finale before 4,797 fans at Century Link Arena.

The Thunder, who nearly battled back from a 4-1 deficit in the final period, was helped out with power play goals from Mike Little, Jesse Fratkin and Tony DeHart.

Stockton went 3-of-6 on the power play and now prepares for the opening round of the playoffs against the Colorado Eagles, which will begin next Tuesday at Stockton Arena.

Idaho's Aaron Lewicki opened the scoring at 7:40 of the first period, converting off the rush for his 19th goal of the season. Jacob Cepis followed with a power play goal - his 20th of the season - to extend Idaho's lead to 2-0 with nine minutes left on a backhander at the goal mouth.

Little's tenth goal of the season got the Thunder back into the game at a 2-1 deficit with 6:15 left in the period when he took Rob Kwiet's pass at the right circle and blasted a snap shot under the crossbar.

Idaho restored their two goal lead at 3-1 at the 7:45 mark of the second period when Ian Lowe collected his tenth goal on a wrist shot from the right circle.

Nehring put Idaho up 4-1 with 3:30 elapsed in the third period on a walk-out attempt at the right circle.

The Thunder responded with a rally in the final minutes of regulation, starting with Fratkin's rebound attempt at the goal mouth with 7:02 to play.

With 3:58, DeHart lifted the Thunder back into the game at a 4-3 deficit when he took a pass at the right circle and ripped a slap shot past Idaho goaltender Bryan Hince's blocker.

Idaho held the Thunder at bay for the rest of the game and Hince earned the win with 31 saves.

Thunder goaltender Olivier Roy took the loss with 23 saves.



ECHL Stories from April 1, 2012


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