Thunder moves onto second round of Kelly Cup Playoffs

Published on April 7, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


LOVELAND, Colo. - Max Campbell scored two goals, including the game winner in the second period to lift the Stockton Thunder to a 4-2 victory, eliminating the Colorado Eagles in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinal before a sellout crowd of 5,289 at Budweiser Events Center on Friday.

The Thunder earned a sweep for the first time in club history and will meet the defending Kelly Cup champion Alaska Aces in the second round which begins next Friday at Sullivan Arena. Goaltender Olivier Roy stopped 28 shots en route to victory and the Thunder never trailed, earning additional offense on goals from Matt Foy and Jordan Fulton.

STOCKTON VS. COLORADO - WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS (all times listed PT)

(Stockton wins series, 3-0)

Game 1: Colorado 1 at Stockton 3

Game 2: Colorado 2 at Stockton 3 (OT)

Game 3: Stockton 4 at Colorado 2

*If necessary

STOCKTON VS. ALASKA - WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS (all times listed PT)

Game 1: Stockton at Alaska - Friday, April 13 - 8:15 p.m. (Sullivan Arena)

Game 2: Stockton at Alaska - Saturday, April 14 - 8:15 p.m. (Sullivan Arena)

Game 3: Alaska at Stockton - Wednesday, April 18 - 7:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 4: Alaska at Stockton - Friday, April 20 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 5: Alaska at Stockton - Saturday, April 21 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *

Game 6: Stockton at Alaska - TO BE ANNOUNCED *

Game 7: Stockton at Alaska - TO BE ANNOUNCED *

*If necessary

Foy began the scoring for the Thunder with his first goal of the postseason with 6:01 to play in the first period, converting off a deflected puck at the goal mouth from a pass by Chris D'Alvise.

Steve Haddon tied the game at 1-1 with a power play goal with 4:21 to play, stashing a second rebound from the right circle after Olivier Roy denied a close chance at the net on Jordan Baker.

Campbell then posted back to back goals to boost the Thunder to a 3-1 advantage, beginning with a 5-on-3 marker just 2:06 into the second period. Gabriel Levesque threaded a pass to Campbell from the right corner, who blistered a slap shot past Kyle Jones for a 2-1 Thunder lead.

Roy then anchored the Thunder lead with several key saves in the middle of the period, including a glove save on a Riley Nelson slap shot from the slot.

D'Alvise then spotted Campbell off the rush and his wrist shot beat Jones from the left circle with 4:36 to play in the second period for a 3-1 edge.

Colorado got back into the game, trailing 3-2 with 16:29 left in regulation with Riley Nelson's goal early in the third period on a two man advantage and the teams continued to trade chances throughout the period.

Garet Hunt was whistled for a tripping penalty with 55 seconds to play in regulation, giving Colorado a 6-on-4 advantage with Jones pulled for the extra attacker. After the Thunder heroically blocked a one timer by Aaron Schneekloth, Fulton poked the loose puck out to the neutral zone, chased it down and scored an empty netter with 25.1 seconds left to seal the game.

Jones took the loss with a 14 save effort.

NOTES: Scratched for the game were Sebastian Owuya (healthy), Matt Reber (healthy) and Brock Matheson (reserve) ... the Thunder improved to 4-2 in elimination games and earned its first road elimination win since 2009 (Game 7 vs. Ontario in first round) ... Campbell finished as the Thunder leading scorer for the series with six points in three games ... the Thunder went 1-of-5 on the power play.

Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinal is next Friday against Alaska at Sullivan Arena starting at 8:15 p.m. Radio coverage for the game is to be determined and online coverage is available for viewing (pay-per-view video charge) and listening (free of charge) at www.StocktonThunder.com, courtesy of AmericaOne.

A two-time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew over 200,000 fans for the sixth consecutive season in 2010-11. Season Tickets 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 http://www.stocktonthunder.com/ .

THREE STARS

1. STK - 31 Olivier Roy

2. STK - 9 Max Campbell

3. COL - 12 Riley Nelson

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