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Thunder Offense Shut Down in 4-1 Loss

February 5, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


The Stockton Thunder (21-16-0-5) saw their losing streak increase to three games after suffering a 4-1 loss to the Bakersfield Condors (18-20-1-3) on the road Tuesday night at Rabobank Arena. It was the first of seven straight games for the Thunder on the road.

"We didn't score on any of our opportunities on the power play," Head Coach Rich Kromm said. "We outshot them pretty severely in the third period, but couldn't buy a goal, so that was the difference in the game. They scored on their chances and we weren't able to buy any.

As many of the games between the Thunder and Condors have gone this season, this one started with an early goal. Bakersfield defenseman Collin Bowman shot a puck wide of the net, which bounced off the end boards and over to the far circle. Forward Chris Collins skated onto it and one-timed a shot inside the far post as goaltender Brian Foster was sliding across the crease. Six of the nine meetings between Stockton and Bakersfield have featured a goal in the first 1:30 of the game, while eight of nine have had a goal scored in at least the first 3:00.

The Thunder slowly gained the momentum as the period went along, creating a couple of odd man rushes in transition that were thwarted by the defense. In the second period though, Bakersfield got back on the scoreboard with two goals in 32 seconds. Jordan Knackstedt knocked home a goal at the 4:57 mark of the period. Foster stretched out his right pad to deny the forward at point-blank range off a one-timer, but Knackstedt was able to chip in the rebound for a 2-0 Bakersfield lead.

There was a bit of luck involved in the Condors next tally. As the Thunder were breaking the puck out of their own defensive end, Bakersfield defenseman Wes Cunningham knocked the puck off a Thunder stick and back into the zone. Nicholas Tremblay was down behind the play, but the forward quickly got back to his feet to pick up the loose puck. He carried it all alone across the face of the crease before beating Foster with a backhand shot.

The Thunder cut the deficit to 3-1 with their first and only goal midway through the game. Joey Martin carried the puck in the offensive zone and cut to the slot before dropping a pass back to Mike Dalhuisen, from his knees, which the Dutch defenseman smashed into the net. The goal, which came 9:47 into the second period, was Dalhuisen's seventh of the season. Martin picked up his team-leading 29th assist on the play as he moves into a tie for the third most assists in the ECHL this season.

The Thunder came out firing in the third period, holding the Condors without a shot for well over half the frame and outshooting them 12-3 in the period overall. However, Bakersfield played sound defensive hockey and made the job easier for goaltender Laurent Brossoit. The Thunder's best chance came on a 57-second, five-on-three power play at the 8:26 mark of the period, but they could not find a way past Brossoit a second time.

The Condors finished the game off on an empty-net goal with 1:11 remaining. Tremblay raced after a loose puck and outreached defenseman Landon Oslanski to tap the puck in for his second goal of the contest. Brossoit made 33 saves to claim the game's first star honors while Foster finished with 18 stops for the Thunder. Stockton finished the game 0-for-5 on the power play.

The Thunder get right back on the ice tomorrow night in Ontario as they look to end their losing skid against the Reign. The Thunder have won three straight contests on Ontario's home ice at Citizens Business Bank arena, the latest being a 4-1 victory against the Pacific Division leaders on January 24. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. PST.

The Thunder still have six games remaining on their road trip before they return to Stockton Arena. On Friday they open up a three-game weekend set against the Alaska Aces. The game will be televised locally and nationally as part of the ECHL's Hockey Heritage weekend. Thunder fans can catch the game live on Antenna TV (KTXL.2) FOX40's digital channel, with tape delay broadcasts airing on Comcast Sportsnet California on Saturday and NHL Network on Sunday.

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