Thunder seals critical win over division rival behind Heemskerk's 34 saves

February 25, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Goaltender Thomas Heemskerk made 34 saves and Kevin Baker scored a goal in the fifth round of the shootout to lift the Stockton Thunder (27-21-5, 59 points) to a 4-3 shootout victory over the Bakersfield Condors before 5,926 fans at Rabobank Arena on Friday.

Aiding from an offensive effort that included goal scoring contributions from Matt Foy, Colten Hayes and Ian O'Connor, the Thunder moved back to four points behind Colorado for fourth place in the Western Conference and reduced its magic number to 12 to clinch a Kelly Cup Playoff berth.

"I thought it was a real good hockey game with both teams working really hard and trading solid chances," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "It's a type of game you'd expect to be in at this point of the season, heading into the playoff run. I thought Heemskerk was great. We did a great job in scramble plays. Guys got to pucks, cleared pucks and saved a few goals by our collapsing ability."

The Thunder improved to 7-2-0 in the head to head series with Bakersfield.

Tyler Helfrich put the Condors on the board with 4:55 left in the first period, muscling his way to the net from the right wing for his 13th goal of the year.

Foy followed by helping launch an attack of back to back Thunder goals, beginning at the 1:08 mark of the second period, his completing of a quick redirection by Jordan Fulton at the left goal post on a 2-on-0 break tied the game at 1-1.

Hayes then took Jason Morgan's centering pass from behind the net and ripped a one timer past Bakersfield goaltender Matt Keetley for 2-1 lead with 10:35 remaining in the second period.

A power play goal from Bakersfield's Peter Boyd leveled the game, 2-2 with 5:54 left in the second period. He cradled Ian McKenzie's feed at the right boards, walked into the circle and beat Heemskerk with a wrist shot for his 11th goal.

The tie carried into the third period and the Thunder capitalized on a critical early power play when O'Connor deflected Max Campbell's drive from the left circle past Keetley with 17:58 left in regulation for a 3-2 edge.

Veteran Kyle Calder earned his fourth goal of the season to knot the score at 3-3 with 5:48 of the third period on a power play, when he took Parker Stanfield's missed wraparound attempt and finished a slapshot from the left circle.

The Thunder earned the best chance in sudden death overtime, when Foy slipped past Bakersfield defenseman Parker Stanfield and was stopped by Keetley's blocker. Jordan Fulton chased the rebound in the slot, but fanned on the follow up attempt with Keetley still recovering in net.

Morgan and Bakersfield's Robbie Dee traded shootout goals and Campbell unknotted the 1-1 shootout tie with a wrist shot goal in the fourth round. After Heemskerk stopped Stanfield's bid in the bottom of the round, Baker ended the game with a wrister from between the circles.

Keetley took the shootout loss with 29 saves.

NOTES: Scratched for the game were Tony DeHart (injured, day to day), Sebastian Owuya (injured reserve), Gabriel Levesque (injured reserve) and Cameron Abney (injured reserve) ... Thunder head coach Matt Thomas moved to within two wins of 300 in his ECHL head coaching career (looking to become the eighth to achieve the honor) ... Morgan collected one assist in his first game back from injury ... the Thunder moved to 7-2-2 in one goal games on the road.

The Thunder returns to play tomorrow in a rematch at Rabobank Arena against Bakersfield in a 7:00 p.m. faceoff. The game will be carried on radio at 1280 AM KWSX and online 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 2011-12 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 - 29 Thomas Heemskerk

2. BAK - 25 Kyle Calder

3. STK - 83 Matt Foy



ECHL Stories from February 25, 2012


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