Showing posts with label National Conference Finals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label National Conference Finals. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Stockton Thunder Lose Game 6 / The Season Is Over / A Game Recap

05/11/2010 10:46 PM

THAT'S FINAL
Longest playoff run in Thunder history ends in Game 6 elimination, 7-5, Idaho advances to Kelly Cup Final

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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
AUDIO: Game highlights

STOCKTON, Calif. - John-Scott Dickson recorded a natural hat trick to help the Idaho Steelheads eliminate the Stockton Thunder, who nearly erased a three-goal deficit in the final 12 minutes of play, in a 7-5 final in Game 6 of the National Conference Final of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs, before 4,200 fans at Qwest Arena on Tuesday.

Idaho, looking to claim their third Kelly Cup title, won the Conference Final series in six games, 4-2 and advanced to their third appearance in the Kelly Cup Final in the last six seasons. The game ended the longest playoff run in Thunder history (its first trip to the Conference Final) and closed the second straight season that Stockton played into the month of May.

The Thunder, who originally claimed a 2-0 lead before Idaho's four-goal rally in the second period, were helped out by goals from Steve Vanoosten, Jason Pitton, Garet Hunt, Matt Marquardt and Kelly Czuy.

STOCKTON VS. IDAHO - NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINALS
Game 1: Stockton 2 at Idaho 4
Game 2: Stockton 0 at Idaho 4
Game 3: Idaho 0 at Stockton 1
Game 4: Idaho 2 at Idaho 7
Game 5: Idaho 6 at Stockton 3
Game 6: Stockton 5 at Idaho 7
Idaho wins series, 4-2

"It stings, no question about it; we had a feeling coming into the playoffs that we had the horses to deliver a championship to the city of Stockton this year," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "Idaho got some timely goals and were able to capitalize on our mistakes. Yet, we come out of this playoff run with our heads held high as an organization. We have the best fans, best building, best ownership and atmosphere that anybody looking to advance their career in hockey can benefit from. Our future is bright."

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Garet Hunt personified a resilient Thunder effort, tying the game, 3-3 after Idaho erased a two-goal deficit in the second period. (photo by Steve Conner)

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The Thunder roared out to their two-goal lead after the first period, maintaining control on a physical attack that produced an array of high-quality scoring chances on goaltender Rejean Beauchemin, who started for the second straight game with Richard Bachman up to the AHL on emergency recall.Vanoosten's power-play goal put the Thunder on the board with 5:39 into the game, taking Oren Eizenman's feed and ripping a one-timer to the back of the net, from the high slot for his second goal of the postseason.

Pitton converted off an Idaho turnover to boost the cushion to 2-0 with two minutes left in the period, firing a slapshot fro the right circle that was going wide of the net, but ricocheted off Idaho defenseman Guillaume Monast and past Beauchemin.

Dickson then single-handedly boosted Idaho to the lead with a natural hat trick in the second period, starting with a rebound goal at the left circle with 3:48 elapsed. Just 1:57 later, his rebound (goal originally credited to Evan Barlow) through a pile-up at the top of the crease fluttered over a fallen Andrew Perugini that tied the score, 2-2.

Then at 9:29, Dickson picked the top right corner of the net on a snap shot from the mid-slot, completing the hat trick after he corralled a Marty Flichel outlet pass.

The Thunder fought back to knot the score, 3-3, on Hunt's third goal of the playoffs with 7:23 left in the period. After Hunt was pushed into Beauchemin, he regained his ground, took Pitton's pass from the left corner and roofed a one-timer from the top of the crease.

Yet, Idaho claimed the lead again on a Mark McCutcheon rebound with 3:35 left in the period after Perugini turned away Mark Derlago's snap shot at the right circle.

Idaho then embarked on a two-goal rush in a span of 3:20 to assume a commanding 6-3 lead early in the final period off two outnumbered attack chances. Kevin DeVirgilio converted off a Thunder turnover and Evan Barlow's cross-ice pass when he slammed in a one-timer from the left circle with 1:30 elapsed.

Derlago's second goal of the series and fifth of the playoffs pushed the Thunder into a 6-3 hole with 15:10 remaining on a wrist shot at the right circle, closing a 3-on-1 break.

The Thunder, attempting a furious rally to save the game, called timeout after the goal and got momentum back in their favor on Marquardt's snap shot from off the rush with 12:10 left in the game, closing the gap to 6-4.

After a penalty kill on a Czuy boarding penalty, it was Czuy, himself who got the Thunder back in the game on a power-play goal, down 6-5, with 2:21 left in the game on a one-timer at the goal mouth that beat Beauchemin through the five-hole.

The Thunder pulled Perugini for an extra attacker and after several chances in the Idaho zone, the Steelheads closed the series with Flichel's empty net goal with 12 seconds left.

Beauchemin picked up the win with 24 saves. Perugini, who was making his first start in net since Game 2 of the series, closed his postseason record at 7-5 with a 37-save effort.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Brett Hemingway (inactive list), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Igor Gongalsky (injury, day-to-day) and Justin DaCosta (healthy) ... Idaho outshot Stockton, 44-29 ... the Thunder power-play converted perfectly, 3-for-3 in the game after amassing just four man advantage goals in six previous playoff road games ... Stockton scored an ECHL leading 62 goals in its postseason run (at the time of its exit), a new Thunder playoff record ... James Bates now ranks as the Thunder all-time playoff scoring leader with 30 points (9g-21a) in 29 games ... Eizenman finished as the Thunder scoring leader with 19 points (3g-16a) in 15 games in this year's postseason.

The proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League and Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League, and a two-time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," the 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 fifth consecutive season in 2009-10. Season tickets for 2010-11 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. IDH - 15 John-Scott Dickson
2. IDH - 20 Evan Barlow
3. IDH - 16 Marty Flichel

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Stockton Thunder Lose A Late Game Thriller / A Game Recap


05/08/2010 9:23 PM

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT
Disallowed goal, Flichel's two goals sends Thunder to 3-2 series deficit

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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
VIDEO: Highlights and postgame locker room reaction
AUDIO: Game highlights


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Idaho Steelheads used a pair of goals from Marty Flichel in a three-goal, second period effort to outlast the Stockton Thunder, 6-3 in Game 5 of the National Conference Final of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs before 4,521 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday.

The Thunder, who trailed 4-3 late in the game and nearly tied it with 3:30 left in regulation, had a one-timer goal by Oren Eizenman waved off. Eizenman fired a shot from the high slot that appeared to beat Rejean Beauchemin under the crossbar with the puck zipping out. But the ruling, which interpreted the puck hit the crossbar, negated the goal.

Stockton, who fell 3-2 in the series, now faces elimination for the first time in the postseason. Colin Hemingway, James Bates and Matt Robinson scored for the Thunder. Beauchemin took the win in net with 13 saves, who made his first start of the playoffs in place of injured goaltender Richard Bachman.

STOCKTON VS. IDAHO - NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINALS
Game 1: Stockton 2 at Idaho 4
Game 2: Stockton 0 at Idaho 4
Game 3: Idaho 0 at Stockton 1
Game 4: Idaho 2 at Idaho 7
Game 5: Idaho 6 at Stockton 3
Game 6: Stockton at Idaho - Tuesday, May 11 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena)
Game 7: Stockton at Idaho - Wednesday, May 12 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
* If necessary

"We feel pretty strongly that Oren's shot hit the back bar, but unfortunately the final decision doesn't rest in our hands," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "It's a moot point now, so we need to move forward and win our next game. That's all we're thinking. Our backs are against the wall but we have a lot of fight left in us. I wasn't too pleased with our execution, but we still had a chance to win the hockey game. That's the positive thing about all of this. I know it, we know it and we're putting it behind us."

Bates got the Thunder on the board with his third goal of the playoffs at 7:56 of the first period, taking Matt Robinson's feed and sliding a backhanded deke through the five-hole of Rejean Beauchemin.
James Bates posted his fifth multi-point game of the playoffs.
(photo by George Steckler)

Idaho responded with a Flichel power-play goal, knotting the score, 1-1 with 6:16 left in the period when Flichel wired a slap shot to the upper right corner of the net after corralling an outlet pass from Dustin Friesen.

A wild, five-goal outburst in the second period combined by both teams had Idaho coming out with a 4-3 edge after 40 minutes. Beginning a stretch of a four goals in a span of 1:15, Mark Derlago fired a slap shot past Bryan Pitton from the left circle, giving the 2-1 lead to Idaho with 9:11 left in the period.

Brothers Colin and Brett Hemingway connected on a give-and-go play just 25 seconds later, with a snap shot by Colin from the left circle tying the score at 2-2.

Guillaume Monast's drive from the right point put Idaho ahead, 3-2 at 12:14 but the Thunder countered on the ensuing shift, 18 seconds later. James Bates found Robinson in the slot, who whistled a wrist shot past Beauchemin's blocker to tie the game, 3-3.

Flichel's second goal of the game restored Idaho's lead at 4-3, burying a one-timer from the slot on a pass by Derlago from behind the net.

The Thunder then missed on several close-range chances, including a J.F. Caudron snap shot from off the rush at the left circle, and a rebound at the left side of the crease that Robinson missed to an open net, wide from a tight angle.

Eizenman's one-timer that beat Beauchemin, but went to review, stopped play for several minutes. Just 2:08 later, Evan Barlow converted off a turnover at center ice and put Idaho up 5-3 on a snap shot from the left circle.

The Thunder pulled Bryan Pitton for an extra attacker and following a series of close-range chances, Mark McCutcheon spun a loose puck from the left boards into the empty net, from nearly 180 feet to close the score at 6-3 with 18.9 seconds left.

Pitton took his first loss of the postseason with 26 saves.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Garet Hunt (healthy), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Chris D'Alvise (injury, day-to-day) and Kelly Czuy (injury, day-to-day) ... Idaho outshot Stockton, 32-16 ... the Thunder were held to an 0-for-4 clip on the power-play ... Stockton took only its fourth loss in the last 14 lifetime playoff games at home ... among those in attendance were ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna and retired NHL referee Rob Shick.

The Thunder, looking to stay alive in the postseason, return to play for Game 6 of the series against the Steelheads at Qwest Arena on Tuesday, May 11 at 6:10 p.m. The game can be heard and viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

Tickets for Thunder home playoff games are available by calling (209) 373-1700 or by visiting www.StocktonTickets.com.

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season Tickets for 2010-11 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. IDH - 16 Marty Flichel
2. STK - 28 James Bates
3. IDH - 10 Mark Derlago

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Stockton Thunder Even Up Series With Massive Blowout / A Game Recap

05/07/2010 10:05 PM

FIT TO BE TIED
Thunder ties Conference Final series, 2-2 with Idaho in five-goal rout, 7-2

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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
VIDEO: Highlights and postgame locker room reaction
AUDIO: Game highlights


STOCKTON, Calif. - Bryan Pitton made 29 saves while defenseman Steve Vanoosten led seven players who had multi point games with three assists, as the Stockton Thunder routed the Idaho Steelheads in a 7-2 victory in Game 4 of the National Conference Final of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs, before 5,219 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday night.

The Thunder, who have rallied so far from a 2-0 series deficit to square the best-of-seven set at 2-2, improved to 6-1 at home in the postseason and unleashed a five-unanswered goal rally, chasing Idaho goaltender Richard Bachman (fell to 6-2 with 11 saves) who left in the second period with an injury.

Idaho, who won their first six games of the playoffs, have lost two in a row and Stockton's win guaranteed a return of the series to Boise, beginning on Tuesday, May 11 for Game 6.

STOCKTON VS. IDAHO - NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINALS
Game 1: Stockton 2 at Idaho 4
Game 2: Stockton 0 at Idaho 4
Game 3: Idaho 0 at Stockton 1
Game 4: Idaho 2 at Idaho 7
Game 5: Idaho at Stockton - Saturday, May 8 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 6: Stockton at Idaho - Tuesday, May 11 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena)
Game 7: Stockton at Idaho - Wednesday, May 12 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
* If necessary

"Give credit to our whole team - we've been extremely successful with our focus ever since we've come home," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "I liked the way we consistently went strong to the net, all night long. You need great goaltending, not just ‘good' goaltending, to get far in the postseason and Bryan Pitton was nothing short of great tonight. We have a lot to take out of tonight and apply it to tomorrow as our focus shifts to Game 5."

Steve Vanoosten recorded a playoff career-high with three assists.
(photo by George Steckler)

Robinson steered a backdoor pass by Steve Vanoosten past Richard Bachman's glove from the right goal post, giving the Thunder the first goal of the game at 12:49 of the first period on the power-play. It was the first time the Thunder scored the game's first goal in the series.

One of Pitton's highlight reel saves was on a John Swanson wrist shot through traffic in the high slot, which Pitton snared with his glove early in the second period.

Swanson chased a pinballed rebound from close range to an open net to tie the game, 1-1 with 4:55 into the second period, but the Thunder responded with Caudron's 2-on-1 goal, converting Oren Eizenman's feed from the left wing with a one-timer past Bachman's blocker, restoring the 2-1 lead.

Bachman was visibly shaken up on the play after a collision with teammate Evan Barlow, who attempted to backcheck on the 2-on-1 break.

After Bachman elected to stay in following medical treatment, the Thunder quickly responded to hike the lead at 3-1 on Brett Hemingway's goal in his postseason debut this year, stuffing a wrap-around attempt past Bachman's blocker just 1:54 later.

The Thunder boosted their advantage to 4-1 after Bachman was yanked for backup Rejean Beauchemin. Jason Pitton converted a James Bates centering pass from behind the net, beating Beauchemin just inside the short side, left post. The goal completed a Thunder three-goal rally in a span of 3:56.

Pitton stopped nine shots in the second period, including an open, snap shot from Mark Derlago at the left circle.

Marquardt successfully re-directed Eizenman's centering feed from the right corner past Beauchemin's blocker with 2:16 gone in the third period, boosting the game to a 5-1 Thunder advantage.

The Thunder turned it into a rout with their third power-play goal of the game, when Bates slugged a loose puck, out of mid-air past Beauchemin's blocker with 14:10 left in the game for a 6-1 lead.

Just 1:59 later, Colin Hemingway rifled a face-off win by Igor Gongalsky with a one-timer from the right circle past Beauchemin, hiking the Thunder advantage to 7-1.

Swanson closed the scoring with his second goal of the game, a one-timer at the left circle with 5:25 left in regulation on a 5-on-3 power-play.

Tempers flared late in the game and 67 minutes in penalties were issued to both teams, including 25 to Kevin DeVirgilio, ejected after an altercation with Ryan Constant. DeVirgilio received a five-minute, game misconduct for spearing, a separate 10-minute, unsportsmanlike conduct and an extra ten minutes for the ejection.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Garet Hunt (one-game suspension), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Chris D'Alvise (injury, day-to-day) and Kelly Czuy (injury, day-to-day) ... the Thunder converted at a 3-for-8 rate on the power-play ... Stockton has now scored an average of 5.1 goals per game at home in the postseason (36 goals in seven games) ... ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna was in attendance at the game.

Both teams return to play in Game 5 of the series at Stockton Arena on Saturday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard and viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

Tickets for Thunder home playoff games are available by calling (209) 373-1700 or by visiting www.StocktonTickets.com.

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season Tickets for 2010-11 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. STK - 31 Bryan Pitton
2. STK - 4 Steve Vanoosten
3. STK - 12 J.F. Caudron

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Stockton Thunder Win In Triple Overtime / A Game Recap

05/05/2010 11:48 PM

CONSTANT HEROES
Pitton's record 49-save effort, Constant's goal caps triple-OT thriller, gets Thunder back to 2-1 series deficit

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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
VIDEO: Highlights and postgame locker room reaction
AUDIO: Game highlights


STOCKTON, Calif. - Ryan Constant ended the longest game in Stockton Thunder history with a power-play goal from the high slot, 36 seconds into triple overtime, to lift the Thunder to a thrilling 1-0 marathon victory over the Idaho Steelheads in Game 3 of the National Conference Final of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs at Stockton Arena on Wednesday.


The Thunder edged their way back in the best-of-seven series, trailing Idaho 2-1 and goaltender Bryan Pitton, making his first start of the postseason, broke a Thunder playoff record with 49 saves while earning the first playoff shutout in Thunder history and the first of his playoff career.

He outdueled Richard Bachman of Idaho, who stopped 36 shots and had a shutout streak of 172:07 in the series snapped by Constant's goal. The overtime win was the third of the playoffs for Stockton, who ran their record to 3-0 in the OT stages.

STOCKTON VS. IDAHO - NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINALS
Game 1: Stockton 2 at Idaho 4
Game 2: Stockton 0 at Idaho 4
Game 3: Idaho 0 at Stockton 1 (3OT)
Game 4: Idaho at Stockton - Friday, May 7 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 5: Idaho at Stockton - Saturday, May 8 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 6: Stockton at Idaho - Tuesday, May 11 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
Game 7: Stockton at Idaho - Wednesday, May 12 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
* If necessary

"What a character win," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "Our resiliency really came through when we needed it most. Constant's goal came as a result of simple hockey needed into a lengthy game like that - getting a screen in front of their goaltender. Bryan was remarkable in net as well - he made the basic saves all night and came through with some big stops when we needed them."
Bryan Pitton recorded the first playoff shutout in Thunder history with another postseason record - 49 saves in one single playoff game.
(photo by George Steckler)

Both teams battled through the first period with the Thunder edging Idaho in shots, 11-10. Pitton made his first big save of the game on a Marty Flichel re-direction at the base of the left circle and Bachman countered with stops on a Matt Robinson snapper in the first shift of the game and Steve Vanoosten's one-timer from the right circle with nearly six minutes remaining.

The Thunder had a chance to grab the lead in the second period on a wide open chance at the left circle for J.F. Caudron, but his rebound zipped off the right goal post with Bachman diving to get back in position.

Idaho outshot the Thunder, 8-3 in the third period and 6-4 in the first overtime, with Pitton making a key save on Mark McCutcheon's wrist shot from the left circle.

Bachman faced a close-range redirection attempt by Igor Gongalsky in the opening minutes of the overtime period, but turned away the chance from between the hash marks with a stop at the glove side.

Idaho cranked up the pressure, outshooting the Thunder 18-8 in the second overtime period, but failing to capitalize on two power-play chances. Pitton preserved the game with a glove save on a Dustin Friesen backhander from between the circles at the middle of the period.

Flichel was whistled for a tripping penalty for taking down Jason Pitton behind the Idaho net with 1:19 left in the double overtime, setting up the game-winning power-play.

After the Thunder won the opening faceoff of the third overtime and worked the puck in deep, Robinson's feed from the left boards found Constant positioned at the high slot while Jason Pitton set a screen in front of Bachman.

Constant unleashed a wrist shot that beat Bachman past the blocker side, sending the Thunder flying off the bench with the win and Stockton Arena into pandemonium.

Idaho was kept to an 0-for-6 effort on the power-play.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Brett Hemingway (inactive list), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Colin Hemingway (healthy) and Kelly Czuy (injury, day-to-day) ... the game surpassed the previous record game in Stockton playoff history - Game 3 of the 2007 National Conference Quarterfinals, won by Idaho, 2-1 at 8:06 of double overtime ... Constant's goal snapped an 0-for-15 drought for the Thunder on the power-play, in the series ... the Thunder improved to 4-1 at home in the postseason and has won nine of the last 12 games at home in Kelly Cup Playoff history ... the game was the longest 0-0 game in ECHL history before Constant's game winner.

Both teams return to play in Game 4 of the series at Stockton Arena on Friday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard and viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

Tickets for Thunder home playoff games are available by calling (209) 373-1700 or by visiting http://www.stocktontickets.com/

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season Tickets for 2010-11 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. STK - 31 Bryan Pitton
2. STK - 22 Ryan Constant
3. IDH - 31 Richard Bachman

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Stockton Thunder Lose 4-0 / Game 2 Recap / Game 3 Is On Wednesday In Stockton


05/01/2010 9:50 PM

DRAWING A BLANK
Bachman's 28-save shutout lifts Idaho to 2-0 series lead

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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
AUDIO: Game highlights
AUDIO: Matt Thomas postgame comments


BOISE, Idaho - Richard Bachman earned the first playoff shutout of his career with 28 saves and the Idaho Steelheads used two shorthanded goals in the first period to defeat the Stockton Thunder, 4-0, in Game 2 of the National Conference Final of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs before 3,783 fans at Qwest Arena on Saturday.

The Thunder, who fell into a 2-0 series hole despite facing three upcoming games of the series in Stockton, were kept to an 0-for-6 effort on the power-play while Andrew Perugini fell to 7-4 in the postseason with 31 saves.

Idaho, who captured the league's Brabham Cup title with the best regular season record, improved to 6-0 in the playoffs.

STOCKTON VS. IDAHO - NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINALS
Game 1: Stockton 2 at Idaho 4
Game 2: Stockton 0 at Idaho 4
Game 3: Idaho at Stockton - Wednesday, May 5 - 7:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 4: Idaho at Stockton - Friday, May 7 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 5: Idaho at Stockton - Saturday, May 8 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *
Game 6: Stockton at Idaho - Tuesday, May 11 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
Game 7: Stockton at Idaho - Wednesday, May 12 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
* If necessary

"Obviously Richard Bachman's been the difference in the first two games of this series so we need to find a way to get better scoring opportunities and when do get them, to bear down," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "More importantly, our power-play needs to be better. We feel confident that we're in every game, we just have to create more for ourselves and not give them lay-up goals."

Idaho built a 2-0 lead again just like the previous night, after one period but found their source of offense on two opportunistic shorthanded, outnumbered attacks. Brandan Kushniruk connected on a give-and-go at the open, left goal post with Mark McCutcheon for a 1-0 Idaho lead with 10:51 left.

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Andrew Perugini makes a sliding, post-to-post save on Evan Barlow in the first period.
(photo by Steve Conner)

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Matt McKnight then snuck a tap-in off a deflected, cross-ice pass from McCutcheon at the right post for a 2-0 cushion with 6:04 remaining in the period.

Perugini denied a series of close-range saves with the 15 shots he saw in the second period by Idaho, but an inside-out deke to the backhand by Evan Barlow boosted the Idaho lead to 3-0 at 7:30 of the second period, when got behind the Thunder defense from the left wing.

The Thunder's best chance to get back in the game was early in the third period when Chris D'Alvise caught an open lane at the left wing with a burst of speed, but his snap shot was denied by Bachman's shoulder to preserve the three-goal margin.

Marty Flichel's power-play goal made it 4-0 Idaho when he took Mark Derlago's feed into the slot and found the net on a snap shot through traffic.

The game took an emotional complexion with several scraps breaking out toward the end, with several slashing, interference, roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties that were issued.

"Our emotions got the better of us at times, but that's expected," said Thomas. "We're going to play hard to the final buzzer. That's the way we play. We did everything in our power to maintain a good work ethic. We're going to make sure they know we're going to play hard to the final buzzer, because we're getting hungry for Game 3. We're a good team at home in the playoffs."

McCutcheon and Weston Tardy each chipped in with a pair of assists.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Brett Hemingway (inactive list), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Justin DaCosta (healthy) and Kelly Czuy (injury, day-to-day) ... the Thunder had never faced a 2-0 series hole until Saturday's Game 2 ... Stockton was outshot, 35-28 and has fell in the last four lifetime playoff games at Qwest Arena ... the winning team of the Conference Finals has now won 12 consecutive games of the third round, dating back to 2007 ... the game marked the second straight season the Thunder has played hockey into the month of May.

Both teams take the series to Stockton Arena, beginning with Game 3, on Wednesday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m.The game can be heard and viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

Tickets for Thunder home playoff games are available by calling (209) 373-1700 or by visiting http://www.stocktontickets.com/

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season Tickets for 2010-11 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. IDH - 31 Richard Bachman
2. IDH - 14 Mark McCutcheon
3. IDH - 20 Evan Barlow

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Stockton Thunder Drop Conference Finals Opener / A Game Recap / Game 2 Goes Tonight


04/30/2010 8:20 PM

GETTING WARMER ...
Thunder drop Conference Finals opener despite two-goal rally

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FINAL STATS: BOX SCORE
AUDIO: Game highlights
AUDIO: Matt Thomas postgame comments


BOISE, Idaho - Veteran Marty Flichel's three points (1g-2a) and Richard Bachman's 29 saves were enough to thwart a late comeback by the Stockton Thunder, who dropped a 4-2 loss to the Idaho Steelheads in Game 1 of the National Conference Final of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs at Qwest Arena on Friday.

The Thunder, who outshot Idaho, 31-22 and scored twice in the last 31 minutes of play to climb out of a 4-0 hole, dropped their first road defeat in the postseason since Game 1 of the first round at Alaska, snapping a four-game road win streak. Matt Robinson and Ryan Constant scored for the Thunder, while Bryan Pitton stopped all 11 shots he saw after replacing Andrew Perugini in the second period.

STOCKTON VS. IDAHO - NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINALS
Game 1: Stockton 2 at Idaho 4
Game 2: Stockton at Idaho - Saturday, May 1 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena)
Game 3: Idaho at Stockton - Wednesday, May 5 - 7:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 4: Idaho at Stockton - Friday, May 7 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 5: Idaho at Stockton - Saturday, May 8 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *
Game 6: Stockton at Idaho - Tuesday, May 11 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
Game 7: Stockton at Idaho - Wednesday, May 12 - 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
* If necessary

"We dug ourselves a hole, but let's call a spade a spade," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "They got two bounce goals - one off a skate and another from a bounce off the boards. That's the difference. It wasn't nearly our best game of the playoffs, but there's a lot of positives we take out of it. I like the way we played. I can walk away from this game feeling like we're potentially in a good spot."

Idaho built a 2-0 lead after the first period on successive power-play goals, beginning with Mark McCutcheon's snap shot from off the rush with 4:02 into the game when he converted off Marty Flichel's drop pass from between the circles.

Flichel then notched his first goal of the postseason with 5:53 left in the period when his slow rolling slap shot at the left circle caromed off traffic and re-directed past the left pad of Perugini.

McCutcheon snuck a wrist shot past Perugini's glove from the short side just 45 seconds into the second to hike the Idaho lead to 3-0, and an errant bounce off a dump-in by Guillaume Monast, which trickled behind Perugini, found Mathieu Tousignant alone at the front for a 4-0 Thunder hole with 10:58 left in the second period.

After the Thunder replaced Perugini with Bryan Pitton, a Robinson second-chance rebound found its way through Richard Bachman's five hole after James Bates connected with Robinson on an out-numbered attack, closing the gap to 4-1 with 9:27 left in the period.

The Thunder continued to benefit off a tightened game after the Robinson goal and drew to within a 4-2 deficit on Constant's third goal of the postseason with 10:31 left in the game. Constant kept in a clearing attempt at the left point and drilled a wrist shot through traffic while Garet Hunt set a screen in front of Bachman.

Idaho closed out the game by picking up their third home victory of the postseason.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Riley Emmerson (inactive list), Brett Hemingway (inactive list), Trevor Hunt (inactive list), Justin DaCosta (healthy) and Kelly Czuy (injury, day-to-day) ... the Thunder fell to 4-3 in lifetime in Game 1 situations ... Stockton was kept to an 0-for-4 clip on the power-play and Idaho converted at 2-for-6 ... the Thunder fell to 0-3 in the last three playoff games at Qwest Arena, dating back to 2007.

The Thunder will square off against the Steelheads for Game 2 of the National Conference Final series tomorrow at Qwest Arena at 6:10 p.m. Both teams take the series to Stockton Arena, beginning with Game 3, on Wednesday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m.The game can be heard and viewed online exclusively at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

Tickets for Thunder home playoff games are available by calling (209) 373-1700 or by visiting http://www.stocktontickets.com/

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season Tickets for 2010-11 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. IDH - 14 Mark McCutcheon
2. IDH - 16 Marty Flichel
3. IDH - 31 Richard Bachman

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Stockton Thunder Advance To The National Conference Finals / Starting Friday, April 30/10


04/24/2010 10:10 PM - Kelly Cup Playoff packages, individual tickets on sale beginning with game 3

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STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder has advanced to the National Conference Finals for the first time in club history and will open the third round of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs against the first seed Idaho Steelheads in a best-of-seven series (2-3-2 format), beginning with Game 1 on Friday, Apr. 30 at 6:05 p.m. from Qwest Arena in Boise.

Round-by-round ticket packages for the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs are now on sale and can be purchased by calling the Stockton Thunder at (209) 373-1500. Individual playoff tickets for all home games at Stockton Arena are on sale and available in person at the Stockton Arena Alpine Meats ticket office, by phone at (209) 373-1700 or online at http://www.stocktontickets.com/

The Thunder, the #6 seed in the National Conference, finished 2-9-1 this season against the Steelheads (winning two of the last three of the head-to-head series, Dec.31-Jan. 2) and it is the first time both teams will meet in the Kelly Cup Playoffs since 2007, when Idaho defeated the Thunder, 4-2 in the National Conference Quarterfinals.

Stockton is looking to advance to the Kelly Cup Finals for the first time in club history, while Idaho is aiming to earn a finals berth for the third time in six seasons (2004, 2007). Listed below is the head-to-head schedule, following a "2-3-2" format:

STOCKTON VS. IDAHO - NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINALS
Game 1: Stockton at Idaho - Friday, Apr. 30 - 6:05 p.m. (Qwest Arena)
Game 2: Stockton at Idaho - Saturday, May 1 - 6:05 p.m. (Qwest Arena)
Game 3: Idaho at Stockton - Wednesday, May 5 - 7:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 4: Idaho at Stockton - Friday, May 7 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)
Game 5: Idaho at Stockton - Saturday, May 8 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *
Game 6: Stockton at Idaho - Tuesday, May 11 - 6:05 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
Game 7: Stockton at Idaho - Wednesday, May 12 - 6:05 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *
* If necessary

Kelly Cup Playoff tickets start as low as $9 per seat and range to $28 (Comcast Club).

Fans wishing to get priority seating on playoff tickets can do so by placing a deposit on new Thunder season tickets for the 2010-11 season.

The proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League and Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League, the 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 fifth consecutive season in 2009-10. Season tickets for 2010-11 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/.

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