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Thunder Go for Three Straight vs. Condors

November 23, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


Arena: Stockton Arena

Date: Sunday, November 23

Time: 4:00 p.m. Doors at 3:00 p.m.

Giveaway: Thunder Trading Cards to the first 500

Broadcast: ECHL.TV and Spreaker beginning at 3:45 p.m.

This Year's Record: Stockton is 4-1-0-0 vs. Bakersfield

Follow the Thunder Facebook Page for occasional updates or follow @StocktonThunder on Twitter for the play-by-play tweeting!

Don't Have Tickets? Purchase Your Family Pack Now!

For just $48 you can purchase a Thunder Pride Pack featuring four Upper End Zone seats, four hot dogs and four sodas but if you purchase your pack online, receive a Thunder hat at no additional cost! Get your packs for today's game and Wednesday's Family Day game by ordering here ! Questions, call us at (209) 373-1500.

Last Time Out

The Thunder jumped out to a hot start as Austin Levi scored his second goal of the year just 36 seconds into the game. The goal was the second-fastest goal to start a game all year by the Thunder and was quickly followed by JT Barnett's first goal in a Thunder uniform following a nice cycle down low with linemate Lukas Sutter just 1:28 later as Stockton took an early two-goal lead.

Just 18 seconds later though, Kellen Jones scored a quick power-play goal to try and give the Condors momentum. But Shawn Boutin would have none of that as his blast from the point was deflected up and over Ty Rimmer's shoulder by one of his own defensemen, making the score 3-1 in favor of the Thunder. Sutter capped the wild first period when he got his stick on Brad Stebner's shot from the point.

After the first, the Thunder never looked back. Despite allowing a goal to Bakersfield midway through the second, Tyler Maxwell buried two goals in the second on two beautiful puck moving plays from Peter Sivak and Jack MacLellan respectively.

Entering the third, the score was heavily in favor of the Thunder 6-2. The Condors put on a late charge, scoring two goals in the third; however, goaltender Kent Simpson stayed strong when playing 5-on-5 and the Thunder responded by not taking penalties down the stretch.

Sivak provided an exclamation point as he scored on the empty net and ended the game 7-4.

Tonight

The Thunder look to extend both their two-game winning streak overall and their four-game winning streak against Bakersfield in the second game of a seven-game homestand.

The Thunder will host Bakersfield one more time on this homestand prior to Thanksgiving before welcoming Utah to Stockton the day after Turkey Day.

Who to Watch

Tonight's player to watch has to be Tyler Maxwell. Maxwell scored 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) in last night's contest and has 5 points (2 goals, 4 assists) in the first two games of this four-game series with the Condors. His five points last night (he was initially credited with four but received a late helper on Sivak's empty net goal) is the most any player has scored in a single game this season leaguewide and tied him for the most in a single game in the history of the Thunder. The last to accomplish this feat was Andrew Clark last season.

Maxwell is back with Sivak and Jack MacLellan on the team's top line and has been producing well since rejoining them. The 23-year-old forward scored the eventual game winner last night and looks to do the same in today's matchup.

Sutter Turned Howe

Lukas Sutter accomplished a feat last night that he had never previously done during his young professional career - The Gordie Howe hat trick. Sutter assisted on JT Barnett's first period goal and moments later, he netted one of his own..

In the third, Sutter put Stockton Arena on its feet for a third time as he dropped the mitts with Bakersfield forward Jonathan Lessard. Sutter was able to land a few solid left hands before the refs stepped in to end the altercation and send both parties to their respective locker rooms.

Lukas' father, Rich, a 13-year NHL veteran, was in the crowd watching intently as his son showed off the old school nature of his game that Stockton fans love so much. Perhaps the presence of his father in the building fired up the 21-year-old centerman.

A Grand Debut

Kent Simpson only been in Stockton for a week, but that didn't stop him from making an impact in his very first start with the Thunder. Simpson, currently on loan from the New York Islanders, put on a performance that wasn't necessarily reflected in the final scoresheet. He allowed four goals on 31 shots, but three of the four were power-play goals. Still though, Simpson gives credit to his team for allowing him to see the puck and settle in early.

"The guys did a great job clearing the front and allowing me to see the puck," Simpson said. "I take pride in being able to swallow up the puck and not let out any rebounds."

Simpson may not be familiar with the area, and Thunder fans may not be familiar with him, but Simpson is very familiar with the area of the crease and Thunder fans will love him after games like last night's.

Magical Again

After last night's game linemates Jack MacLellan and Tyler Maxwell find themselves neck-in-neck for the Thunder scoring lead this season. Maxwell, with 13 points (5 goals, 8 assists) on the season, caught up to MacLellan rapidly as the California native put up five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in last night's onslaught of the Condors.

MacLellan on the other hand has been at or near the top of the team's points list all season long. Coming into tonight's contest, MacLellan has 12 points in 16 games and leads the team in assists with 10.

They are joined on their line by veteran Peter Sivak, who follows his linemates closely with 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) in just 11 games played with the Thunder. If this line is able to continue its success, the Thunder will undoubtedly continue to win games in bunches.

In Case You Missed It Quotes

"You know I don't think I was even looking at the net to be honest. I just ripped it and hoped it would be on net. No one saw it I guess and it was fortunate to go in." - Austin Levi on opening the game with his goal, his second in a Thunder uniform

"We started really well and that's great for a goalie. I was able to settle in through the first and felt pretty good the rest of the way. The guys did a great job clearing the front and allowing me to see the puck. I take pride in being able to swallow up the puck and not let out any rebounds. So it was nice that the guys made that easy for me." - Kent Simpson on his first start in a Thunder uniform

"We actually played together in Bako Thursday morning and were able to create a little magic and that continued on through tonight. Peter [Sivak] sees the ice so well and it allows me and Jack [MacLellan] to play our games with him well. Hopefully we're able to keep this momentum going as a line and help our team continue winning." - Tyler Maxwell on being back with Peter Sivak and Jack MacLellan as well on a line

"Simpson was good in net tonight. I thought he made a lot of big saves for us and stood tall in net. Unfortunately for him they allow that last goal there. I thought he had it covered but it didn't go his way and they were able to jab away at it and eventually get the goal. But overall I thought he played a solid game." - Head Coach Rich Kromm on new goalie Kent Simpson's play in net

"There was no need for us to get sucked into anything like that. We had a good lead and we couldn't afford to start getting into penalty trouble." - Coach Kromm on staying away from the chippy play in the second period

"It was a nice cycle going on down low and [Lukas Sutter] was able to find me in the slot and I just tried to bury it. Lukas is the type of player I enjoy playing with. He always wants to get the puck to the net and be aggressive. I think that as we continue play together we're learning each other more and more and tonight we were fortunate enough to get a couple points." - JT Barnett on his goal and his chemistry with Lukas Sutter

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