Eagles first ECHL goal by Michael Forney – Olivier Roy in Net
This was a goaltenders game from the beginning. Jones and Olivier Roy made several acrobatic saves, but the Eagles offense found a way to solve Roy more than once in the season opener.
The Thunder’s Gabriel Levesque scored the first goal of the new season at 4:28 in the first period on a rebound. Cameron Abney and Garet Hunt were credited for the assist on the shot.
The first and only scrum of the night came at 7:59 between Abney and Liam Huculak got the fans on their feet, but was really a draw as the players had a difficult time staying on their blades.
The Eagle’s Michael Forney scored their teams first ECHL goal at 10:38 to even the score when he beat Roy glove side high in the net. The assists went to Riley Nelson and Rhett Gordon.
The second period was a goaltending duel; with the players appearing very warn down by the end of the period.
Goalie Kyle Jones defends his net
Colorado returned for the third period appearing refreshed and with a plan. At the 5:59 mark, Jon Landry wristed a shot through traffic with assists to Forney and Nelson. Chad Costello scored the next two unanswered goals, with the first coming about two minutes later, then again late in the period.
With only 1:08 remaining in the period, Stockton’s Levesque caught a rebound that he was able to put past Jones to try to close the gap. There just was not enough time to close in any further for the Thunder. An empty net goal by Jack Combs at 19:29 sealed the deal.
The Eagles won their first game of their inaugural season on the road with a final score of 5-2, as the Thunder fall to 3-4-0 in lifetime season openers.
Neither team converted on the power play, as the Eagles were zero for two and the Thunder failed in four. The Eagles penalty kill unit appeared highly effective and found ways to keep the puck out of their end to help their goalie.
Kyle Jones robs a one-timer from Tyler Shelast
Colorado will travel a few hours south to Bakersfield to face the Condors Saturday night, while the Thunder will make the six-plus hour trek to Ontario to face the Reign.
The Reign fell to Bakersfield in their season’s home opener with a final score of 5-4.
Contact the writer at Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com Contact the photographer at Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com
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