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Thunder Toppled by Bakersfield 5-2

December 11, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


Peter Boyd, Parker Stanfield and Robbie Dee each scored one goal and added an assist to help the Bakersfield Condors send the Stockton Thunder (12-9-3, 27 points) to a 5-2 defeat at Stockton Arena on Sunday.

The Thunder, who claimed four points in the three game weekend series against Bakersfield, were aided by rookie Jesse Fratkin's two goal effort in the loss. The Condors ended a franchise record 12 game winless skid and goaltender Matt Keetley earned his first win since November 2 with 17 saves.

"You can't be satisfied with tonight," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "We played a team that was looking to reverse their fortunes. I'm upset that we didn't get the job done at home. I would have been more satisfied if we took four of six on the road but we had a pretty average effort. Jesse and his line worked their tails off and we had a few defensemen who were pretty good, but it wasn't satisfying enough."

Both teams played through a scoreless first period with Olivier Roy and Keetley trading key saves. The Thunder were denied a chance to take an early lead when Keetley stopped Jordan Fulton's wrist shot at the left circle from off the rush.

Roy later turned away three consecutive close range chances by Bakersfield in the period, including Ian McKenzie's rebound chance at the goal mouth.

A five goal outburst highlighted the second period, beginning with Fratkin's first of two goals in the frame for a 1-0 Thunder lead. He finished a centering feed by Matt Foy at the right post with 2:55 elapsed for the game opening goal, but Bakersfield responded.

Parker Stanfield converted off a turnover just 2:41 later to tie the score, converting on a deke to Olivier Roy's glove side.

Ian McKenzie lifted Bakersfield to a 2-1 lead on a snap shot from the left circle at the 7:47 mark for his third goal of the year.

The Thunder responded with a power play goal by Fratkin just 51 seconds later when he slipped a sharp angled one timer past Keetley from the bottom of the left circle.

Matt Marquardt crashed the net and deflected a fluttering puck past Roy at the goal mouth to restore Bakersfield's lead at 3-2 with 7:30 left for his ninth goal of the season.

Keetley helped turn away several chances by the Thunder to tie the game and Robbie Dee responded by scoring on a breakaway with 2:36 left in the game for a 4-2 Condors edge.

Peter Boyd wrapped up the game with an empty net goal with 1:33 left in the game.

Roy took the loss with 37 saves.

NOTES: Scratched for the game were Gabriel Levesque (injured reserve) and Jason Morgan (injured reserve) ... the Thunder dropped to 3-1-0 in the head to head series ... the Thunder converted at 1 of 6 on the power play ... both teams will meet next on Dec. 26 at Rabobank Arena.

The Thunder returns to play on Friday, hosting the Idaho Steelheads at 7:30 p.m. from Stockton Arena. Online coverage is available 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. BAK - 8 Parker Stanfield

2. STK - 13 Jesse Fratkin

3. BAK - 37 Matt Marquardt

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