Sports stats



Thunder rallies from 3-0 hole, Bakersfield escapes with late go-ahead goal

February 6, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - A rally from a three goal deficit fell short for the Stockton Thunder (24-18-8, 56 points), victimized by Scott Freeman's go-ahead goal with 3:22 left in regulation for a 4-3 Bakersfield Condors win at Rabobank Arena on Tuesday.

Bakersfield got off to a fast start with a 2-0 lead through one period. Francis Verreault finished Scott Freeman's centering pass from the right corner just 1:43 into the game with a re-direction past Tyler Bunz's blocker.

After the Condors survived a Thunder power play, an outlet pass off the boards found Brett Perlini, who sprung from the penalty box for a breakaway. Perlini converted on a forehand shot through Bunz's five hold with 4:57 left in the period for a 2-0 Bakersfield lead.

Verreault's second goal of the game boosted the Condors edge to 3-0 3:06 of the second period when he cashed in on a loose puck at the front of the net, set up by Nicolas Tremblay's deflection on net.

The Thunder responded on Eric Hunter's 15th goal of the season to cut the gap to 3-1 on a power play with 14:40 left in the period. Hunter set a screen at the front of the net and followed up after Scott Greenham stopped Matt Bergland's bid from the right circle with a rebound goal over Greenham's blocker.

Justin Maylan continued the rally at 1:53 into the third period with a wrap-around goal with a forehand stuff past Greenham's blocker side. Harrison Reed then fed Maxime Bosiclair at the left circle, who snuck a wrist shot through Greenham's five hole with 7:33 elapsed to shock the Bakersfield crowd and tie the game at 3-3.

After the Thunder failed to convert on a power play, the Condors took the lead late with 3:22 left in regulation when Kyle Haines fired a blast from the left point that ricocheted off Scott Freeman and inside the right post.

Greenham earned the win with 34 saves. Bunz took the loss with 23 stops.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Teigan Zahn, Jesse Fratkin, and Cameron Abney ... the Thunder has converted on the power play in 13 of the last 15 games ... the Thunder outshot the Condors 37-27 ... the Thunder fell to 6-2-1 in the head to head series, already guaranteed the win in the season set.

The Thunder continues its four game road trip on Friday, visiting the Alaska Aces at 8:15 p.m. (1280 AM KWSX/StocktonThunder.com) at Stockton Arena.

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. BAK - S. Freeman

2. BAK - B. Perlini

3. BAK - B. Perlini

• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...

ECHL Stories from February 6, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central