Thunder Snap Skid with 4-3 Win

Published on February 14, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


The Stockton Thunder (23-20-0-5) capped their seven-game road trip with a victory over the Alaska Aces (31-12-2-1) on Thursday night, 4-3 at Sullivan Arena. It was the Thunder's first win against the Aces out of five straight games played in Anchorage, AK.

The Thunder's line of Joey Martin, Greg Miller and Mitch Bruijsten finished the night with all three forwards having scored a goal. Nick Larson had the other tally and goaltender Brian Foster held down the fort as the Thunder snapped a four-game losing streak and picked up their second win of the seven-game road trip.

The scoring started late in the first period, as the Thunder hung on to a 0-0 tie for most of the opening frame despite being outshot 14-3 by Alaska. The Aces grabbed the opening goal with just 5.4 seconds left in the period. Turner Elson picked out Brett Findlay at the front of the net and the former San Francisco Bulls forward converted, just squeezing the puck past Foster and across the goal line. It was the second game in a row where Findlay had the first goal of the contest.

The Thunder picked it up in the second period, getting the offense going, which resulted in a tied score. Miller received a pass at center ice and carried into the zone for a two-on-one with Bruijsten. He fed the big forward from the Netherlands who settled the puck and rifled it over the blocker of Alaska goalie Gerald Coleman to make it 1-1. For Bruijsten, it was the sixth goal of the season for the man who played his college hockey at Sullivan Arena for the University of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves.

The Thunder struck again midway through the period on a power play. Defenseman Lee Baldwin centered a pass in front for Larson, and the graduate from Notre Dame buried a one-timer upstairs on Coleman's glove side. The goal came 11:43 into the period, giving the Thunder a 2-1 lead. Defenseman Ryan Constant picked up the secondary assist on the play.

The lead stayed in place until late in the second with 1:43 to go. Alaska's Evan Trupp cut into the offensive zone and worked an opening. His shot from the slot glanced off Foster's glove and rolled into the net to make it 2-2.

The Thunder did not stay down for long. After drawing a penalty, the power play unit went to work again. Constant kept a clearing attempt in at the point and launched a shot that Coleman got a piece of. The rebound resulted in a scramble and after Miller got a piece of it, Martin was able to knock it home with just 4.4 seconds left in the period. The Thunder outshot the Aces 14-7 in the frame.

The 3-2 score line was the Thunder's first lead entering a third period out of the five games in Alaska. The Thunder added an insurance goal just 3:23 into the third period, once again on the power play. Larson worked the puck down low for Martin who picked out Miller in the slot for a one-timer goal to make it 4-2 Thunder. It was Miller's 16th tally of the season, adding to his team lead in goals scored.

The Aces battled back and pulled within a goal with 6:02 to play thanks to their top line unit. Brendan Connolly dished the puck to Nick Mazzolini who found Peter Sivak at the back post for a tap-in goal to make it 4-3. Overall, the Aces top line finished with 29 points combined in their five games against Stockton.

It could have been more though as the Aces made a late charge. With the extra attacker on and two power plays in the final five minutes of the game, Foster made several outstanding stops to keep his team in front. Foster's best save came with just 17.4 seconds to play as he went post-to-post to rob Mazzolini on the goal line with a point-blank pad stop.

The Thunder hung on to earn their first regular season win in Alaska in exactly three years, going back to February 13, 2011. The Thunder's top line of Martin, Miller and Bruijsten finished with seven points combined in the victory, while Foster made 34 saves to pick up his 18th win of the season.

Next up, the Thunder return home to face the Utah Grizzlies on Saturday, February 15, for Star Wars night. It's the team's final home game of the month. The first 1,000 fans entering Stockton Arena receive free Lightsaber Thunder-Sticks, and fans are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite character from the Star Wars universe. For more information, visit StocktonThunder.com.

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