Thunder Pick up Point in OT

Published on December 5, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


Stockton, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder jumped out to a 2-1 lead in the second, but relinquished it late in the third and fell to Alaska in overtime by a score of 4-3 Thursday night at Stockton Arena. Kent Simpson made plenty of nice stops on his way to a 37-save performance, but Alaska's late overtime goal got past his blocker and into the net. The Thunder look to get back on track tomorrow as they take on these very same Alaska Aces as the Thunder celebrate 10 seasons in the Central Valley at 7:30 p.m.

Official box score

1st Period

-AK goal: F Brendan Connolly (4) bounced in off his leg in front after a shot from the bottom of the near side circle (Francis, Cameron assists), 15:09

-Shots: STK - 8 | AK - 8

2nd Period

-THUNDER GOA L: F JT Barnett (2) shot from the point is deflected out of midair in the slot up and over goalie's blocker side shoulder (Levi, Mallet assists), 2:29

-THUNDER GOAL : D Ryan Constant (2) shot from the far side hash marks ricochets off sliding defender and over the goalie's glove (Shattock, Sivak assists), 4:28

-AK goal: F Greg Wolfe (6) shot from the top of the slot finds its way through traffic and past the goalie's glove side pad (Francis, Cole assists), 19:41

-Shots: STK - 8 | AK - 13

3rd Period

-THUNDER GOAL : F Jack MacLellan (5) two on one keeper where he was able to roof it from the bottom of the far side circle over the goalie's blocker side shoulder (unassisted), 1:42

-AK goal: F Olivier Archambault (11) shot from far side of the slot goes upstairs off a rebound (Francis, Walters assists), 19:14

-Shots: STK - 4 | AK - 17

Overtime

-AK goal: D Brad Cole (1) shot from the high slot goes blocker side and in through traffic (Connolly, Wolfe assists), 4:18

-Shots: STK - 1 | AK - 3

W: Niklas Lundstrom (21 shots, 18 saves)

L: Kent Simpson (41 shots, 37 saves)

Notable Statistics

-Three Stars: 1- Brad Cole (1 goal, 1 assist) 2- Chris Francis (3 assists) 3- Jack MacLellan (1 goal)

-Final Shots: STK - 21 | AK - 41

-Power plays: STK - 0/3 | AK - 0/6

-Ryan Constant is 11 points back of tying Mike Lalonde's all-time record of 156 career points. He's also 4 goals away from 50 in his ECHL career.

-Peter Sivak extends his point streak to six games with his 11th assist on the year

-Garet Hunt returned after missing 11 games with a lower body injury

Quotes

"There's no reason for it. We should have had control of that game, but we started playing careless in the third period. They pulled the goalie but we shouldn't have allowed the puck out of the zone they could pull the goalie." - Head Coach Rich Kromm on the final moments of the third period.

"Yeah they're momentum shifts. We had a chance to maybe get it out and make a play but we didn't. To me that's the difference in the game." - Coach Kromm on allowing three last-minute goals in what were the final three periods of the game.

"Our power play has to step up after that five-on-three kill. After we killed that off we had a couple chances of our own and we didn't take advantage. Even if it's just getting scoring chances and making plays, we didn't have to score, we just needed to keep the momentum." - Coach Kromm on the last power play opportunities not generating many shots after a great five-on-three kill.

"I think we just played all right. We didn't have enough when it counted. We let them have chances at inopportune times and we have to fix that." - Kent Simpson on his overview of the game.

"We can't give up those chances. We have to make the little plays like chipping the puck out, making good outlet passes and not give up those opportunities." - Simpson on the late goals allowed tonight.

"I felt pretty good. I missed a month so I just wanted to work my way back into the lineup and bring some maturity to it. But just being back with the boys and playing felt good overall." - Captain and Assistant Coach Garet Hunt on returning from his injury.

"He's a tough contender. It's just a way to set the tone at the beginning of a three-game series. I'm just looking to help the team in any way possible." - Hunt on his fight with Justin Johnson one second into the game.

NEXT HOME GAME

-Alaska Aces vs. STOCKTON THUNDER

Friday, December 5 @ Stockton Arena

10th Anniversary Night

Doors open @ 6:30pm, Puck drops @ 7:30pm

UPCOMING HOME GAMES

-Alaska Aces vs. STOCKTON THUNDER

Saturday, December 6 @ Stockton Arena

Hockey With Heart

Doors open @ 6:30pm, Puck drops @ 7:30pm

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