Weller's four-point night, Ryan Hayes' two goals key Thunder win over division rival

March 10, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - In a game that featured just about everything, including a near line brawl, forward Shawn Weller had a hand in all four goals for the Stockton Thunder (32-24-9, 73 points) in a back-and-forth 4-3 win over the Ontario Reign (42-16-6, 90 points) in front of 4,358 fans at Stockton Arena in Sunday.

Weller finished with a goal and four total points on the night. Forward Ryan Hayes put forth a two-goal effort, which included the game-winner. Defenseman Nathan Deck totaled a goal and an assists.

"[Weller and Hayes] were good, really good." Thunder head coach Matt Thomas said, "I didn't like some of the decisions we made as a team all game, but those guys definitely scored some nice goals and made some nice plays offensively."

Ontario's Kyle Kraemer tallied three points (two goals).

Goaltender Tyler Bunz made 25 stops on the night for the Thunder, while Ontario's Dustin Carlson registered 27 saves.

Early in the game forward Shawn Weller found defenseman Nathan Deck at the left circle. Deck circled and unleashed a shot that beat Carlson blocker side, putting the Thunder up 1-0 just 2:44 into the first period.

Just over two minutes later Weller hit forward Ryan Hayes on the left side for a two-on-one break. Hayes faked the pass to Weller on the right, skated into the left circle, and cracked a shot that sailed by Carlson's blocker to double the Thunder lead at 2-0 5:11 into the opening frame.

After an apparent goal by forward Cameron Abney was not counted, Mario Lamoureux cut the lead in half after skating around two defenders, then cutting across goal and beating Bunz with a deke to make the count 2-1 with 35.4 seconds left in the first period.

In the second period, Weller and Kevin Estrada raced stride for stride for a loose puck at the blue line. Weller was able to gain the advantage, flicking a sharp backhand shot by Carlson's stick to increase the Thunder lead to 3-1 7:51 into the middle frame.

Later on in the period Kyle Kraemer took Cameron Burt's pass and sent it at net from the crease. Bunz was able to get a pad to it, but the puck trickled into the goal as Ontario cut the gap to 3-2 17:17 into the second period.

Just 51 seconds later, Hayes provided the Thunder response, picking the puck up above the crease and launching a rocket slap shot into the net before Carlson could get a glove to it, making the count 4-2.

With both teams playing four-on-four after a near line brawl, Kraemer broke loose on the right side, beating Bunz five hole to cut the lead to 4-3 5:59 into the third period.

In a final few minutes which featured some scraps, the Thunder held on through a man disadvantage to secure the win.

"Everything's coming together," said Hayes, "We put the pieces together tonight. We had a lot of chances in the last few games. But finally things started to show up tonight and it worked out really well for us."

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Teigan Zahn, Ryan Green, Jesse Fratkin, Kevin Noble, and Justin Maylan ...Nathan Deck's goal was his first since rejoining the Thunder on Feb. 27...the Thunder has scored three goals in five of the last six games...Kyle Kraemer has 10 points (4 goals) in the last six games against the Thunder...Shawn Weller has collected nine points in the last nine games...

The Thunder will return to Stockton Arena on Wednesday, Mar. 13 to complete its five-game home stand. The puck will drop for the Thunder's duel with the Central Valley rival San Francisco Bulls at 7 p.m.

A two time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," the Thunder led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew over 200,000 fans for the seventh consecutive season in 2011-12. Season Tickets, Group Tickets and Mini-Plans for 2012-13 are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.StocktonThunder.com

THREE STARS:

1. STK - S. Weller

2. STK - R. Hayes

3. ONT - K. Kraemer



ECHL Stories from March 10, 2013


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