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Thunder Slip in Shootout to Bulls 3-2

January 19, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


The Thunder failed to finish the California sweep as they fell to San Francisco in a shootout by a final score of 3-2 Sunday afternoon at Stockton Arena.

"It was a busy day for Foster, especially during the third period," said Head Coach Rich Kromm. "Instead of sticking to the game plan and making sure pucks got deep, we tried to create too many plays. Those failed plays led to chances for them and pretty soon we found ourselves in trouble."

Thunder goaltender Brian Foster had a busy night as he faced 44 shots from San Francisco. Tonight was a different tale from yesterday when the Thunder netminder faced 17 total shots from Bakersfield.

Foster only surrendered two goals, while collecting 42 saves on the night however San Francisco did score twice during the shootout to collect the extra point.

"Tonight I felt really good," said Foster. "When you get a lot of shots it's easier to stay in the game. Last night I didn't have too many shots but tonight I had to be active all night."

Trailing 2-1 late in the third period, San Francisco tied the game at two, just seconds after the Thunder killed off a Mathieu Gagnon penalty. San Francisco forward Sebastian Stalberg collected the second goal for San Francisco on the night which helped set the stage for their shootout victory.

Both teams traded goals in the second period, the first coming from San Francisco. Already trailing 1-0 in the second period, San Francisco knotted the game at one off a rebound from Foster. Foster made the initial save on the first shot but forward Jordan Morrison cleaned up the rebound.

Just 2:41 later, forward Matt Bergland gave the Thunder a 2-1 advantage late in the second period. After San Francisco failed to clear the puck Captain Garet Hunt found forward Greg Miller in the corner who threw a nifty pass to Bergland from for the second Thunder goal of the night.

"It was just a very quick breakup," said Bergland. "Hunt was able to get the puck and chip it up to Miller and Miller made a great pass to me in the slot. After I got it I just threw it at the net and it ended up going in."

For the second straight night the Thunder collected the first goal when defenseman Shawn Boutin beat San Francisco goaltender Tyler Beskorowany. Boutin collected the puck near the blue line and blasted it at the net, with the puck going through traffic in front and past Beskorowany, giving the Thunder the early 1-0 lead.

The Thunder penalty kill was on display in the game as they killed off four penalties. The kill was in a difficult spot when forward Alex MacLeod, who scored in the goal that sent the teddy bears on the ice, was assessed a major penalty for an illegal check to the head. Stockton was able to kill off that five-minute major penalty in the first period and three other minor penalties in the game.

Next up the Thunder head down to Ontario for a game against the Reign on Friday at 7:00 p.m. in hopes to make it three wins in a row over Ontario at Citizens Business Bank Arena. After that game, the Thunder head back to Stockon for a Sunday matinee to conclude the home portion of the January schedule against the Reign at 4:00.

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