Thunder pushed to brink of elimination

April 11, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


LAS VEGAS - Joe Fallon earned his second shutout in three games with 32 stops while Andrew Sarauer picked up two goals and an assist to lift the Las Vegas Wranglers over the Stockton Thunder, 3-0 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarterfinal before 2,397 fans at Orleans Arena on Wednesday .

Olivier Roy, who was pulled in Game 4 after uncharacteristically giving up three goals on the first nine shots, bounced back with a 26 save effort and kept the Thunder to within a goal through the first 40 minutes.

The Thunder now must win Game 6 to keep its season alive and will face Las Vegas on Friday at Stockton Arena in the elimination game.

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

(Las Vegas leads, 3-2)

Game 1: Las Vegas 2 at Stockton 3 (OT)

Game 2: Las Vegas 2 at Stockton 3 (OT)

Game 3: Stockton 0 at Las Vegas 3

Game 4: Stockton 2 at Las Vegas 5

Game 5: Stockton 0 at Las Vegas 3

Game 6: Las Vegas at Stockton - Friday, April 12 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 7: Las Vegas at Stockton - Sunday, April 14 - 4:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *

*If necessary

Roy was sharp from the beginning and made his signature save of the game on Eric Lampe's breakaway in the first period, snuffing a backhanded deke with his glove.

Las Vegas responded though, after killing a penalty for the game opening goal with 2:27 left in the first period. Sarauer drove the net and deflected a pass in mid-air from Scott Pitt at the goal mouth to lift the Wranglers to a 1-0 lead.

Roy stopped 12 shots in the second period to keep the Thunder within reach.

Judd Blackwater buried an open net rebound on a delayed penalty with 14:44 left in regulation to put the Wranglers up 2-0. Sarauer converted off a turnover at center ice for an empty net goal with 1:23 to play for a 3-0 lead, leading to the final score.

NOTES: Cameron Abney was the lone Thunder scratch ... the Thunder outshot Las Vegas 32-29 ... the home team has won each game in the series ... the Thunder fell to 3-5 lifetime in Game 5 scenarios.

Game 6 is at 7:30 p.m. from Stockton Arena, with coverage scheduled for 1360 AM KFIV and AmericaOne (StocktonThunder.com).

A two time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," the Thunder led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew over 200,000 fans for the seventh consecutive season in 2011-12. Season Tickets, Group Tickets and Mini-Plans 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 www.StocktonThunder.com

THREE STARS:

1. LV - J. Fallon

2. LV - A. Sarauer

3. LV - J. Blackwater



ECHL Stories from April 11, 2013


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