Thunder Win Third Straight by Defeating Idaho

November 24, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


Thunder Win Third Straight by Defeating Idaho 3-1 Defenseman Ryan Constant was involved in all three goals for the Thunder as they beat the Steelheads at Stockton Arena in the second game of the three-in-three.

The Thunder scored early and was able to hold off the Idaho Steelheads to capture their third straight win by the score of 3-1 Saturday night at Stockton Arena.

Thunder Defenseman Ryan Constant collected 2 goals on the night and a total of 3 points. His first came early in the opening period when he scored on a shot from just inside the blue line. After Thunder defenseman Landon Oslanski blasted the puck around the boards, Constant settled it and got it past Idaho goaltender Pat Nagle, thanks to some heavy traffic in front of the Steelheads netminder.

"I got the puck on the blue-line," said Constant. "After that I was looking to get the puck through the traffic. On my shot the puck hit one of their guy's sticks and eventually found its way in."

Stockton again scored early into the second period when Captain Garet Hunt scored what would prove to be the game winner on the Thunder power play. After Constant threw his shot on net, Hunt was able to get a stick on the puck and it deflected past Nagle. It was the captain's fourth goal on the year to go along with his 4 assists.

"I was just alone in front of the net and Constant saw that so he gave me a puck I could tip in," said Hunt. "It was a great shot, all I had to do was hold my stick out there and it hit the shot perfectly."

Thunder goaltender Brian Foster continued to show why he is one of the best goaltenders in the ECHL as he stopped 25 of 26 shots. Foster again stepped up in the third period stopping all 13 he faced.

"Brian is so in control all the time," said Head Coach Rich Kromm. "He controls everything and there is a lot of confidence from the players in front of him knowing he will be there when they need him."

The Steelheads nearly tied the game at 2 with 1:39 left in the second period. After Idaho forward David de Kastrozza knuckled a puck at Foster, there was a mad scramble in front of the Thunder goalie. After deliberation by the referees, it was deemed no goal adding a sprawling save to Foster's stat sheet on the night.

Late in the third period with Nagle on the bench for the extra attacker, Constant gathered the puck, banked it off the high glass and down the ice where it would trickle in to seal the game for the Thunder.

"It was pure luck," said Constant. "Foster made the save and I just tried to get the puck out of the zone and it bounced off the glass funny, eventually sliding in."

The Thunder are back at it tomorrow in the final game of the three-in-three when they face the Idaho Steelheads for the second straight day. This four o'clock game concludes the Thunder's "Share Your Thanksgiving" promotion. Fans can receive $1 off the price of their ticket for each canned food item they donate at Stockton Arena, up to a minimum ticket price of $7 (glass, club and suite level seats are excluded and cannot be combined with other offers). All donations will benefit the Emergency Food Bank and Family Services of Stockton/San Joaquin. Season ticket holders can also donate and will receive one entry per canned food item into a raffle to win the use of a suite at an upcoming Thunder game. While the Thanksgiving offer cannot be combined with the Family Day packs, it is however offered tomorrow. For just $38, receive four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas, and if you purchase your pack online you receive a free Thunder hat. For more information, visit StocktonThunder.com.



ECHL Stories from November 24, 2013


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