***image1***SAN JOSE, Calif. – Monday night the SF Bulls played host to their division rival, Stockton Thunder. The game was noteworthy even before the puck dropped, because instead of playing at the Bulls usual Cow Palace home in Daly City, the teams squared off at HP Pavilion in San Jose. HP Pavillion is home to the ECHL SF Bulls NHL affiliate, San Jose Sharks. ***image2***Monday night’s game marked the fourth time this season the two teams have met. Coming into tonight’s game, the Bulls had enjoyed some early successes against Stockton. In spite of the Bulls intentions of adding to their impressive 3-0-0-0 record against Stockton thus far, the perfect record would prove difficult to maintain. By the midway point of the first period, it became an uphill battle for the Bulls, as Stockton proved a worthy opponent in this special game. Overall the Bulls had compiled an 11-15-1-2 mark which was good for sixth place in the Western conference. Stockton came in to this game with an overall record of 14-7-3-2, good fourth place in the West. ***image3***The Bulls’ Mikael Tam got the scoring started at the 9:21 mark of the first period and the Bulls appeared to be off running in their plan to stay unbeaten against Stockton. Jordan Morrison and Peter Sivak collected assists on the Tam goal. The Bulls outplayed Stockton early in the opening period and had several good scoring chances with their first few shifts. Stockton appeared to be caught a bit flat footed and not quite ready to skate with the Bulls physical play. Good goaltending and timely clears allowed Stockton to hold the Bulls off with the exception of the Tam goal during that time and Stockton eventually scored a goal of their own, as Toni Rajala tallied his first of three on the night for the Thunder at 10:53. Rajala scored again at the 15:25 mark. His second goal of the game gave Stockton a 2-1 lead. The 2-1 score held as the teams headed to the locker room at the conclusion of the first. Tony DeHart was given an assist on Rajala’s first goal and Ryan Constant and Mike Little recorded helpers on the second Stockton goal. ***image4***The second period started well for the Bulls as they again dominated the opening few shifts. Kris Belan eventually scored for Stockton at 1:36 in the first period. Rob Kwiet earned an assist on the game tying goal. Following the tying goal from Belan Stockton seemed to find their legs and their groove and roared back into the contest by scoring three straight unanswered goals. Stockton’s Mike Little found the back of the Bulls net at 4:47 which put Stockton back in the lead for good. Stockton eventually pulled away as they scored two goals in quick succession at 15:12 and 16:00. Garett Hunt scored the first of the two quick ones and Toni Rajala completed his hat trick on the second. Rajala’s hat trick was also enough to send Heemskerk off the ice in favor of Taylor Nelson. Nelson finished off the remaining 4:00 of the second frame and was back in goal for the third period.
***image5***The third period started as more of a grinding affair as the teams traded back and forth zone time and good puck cycling, but not many shots developed for either club. At 2:56, the Bull’s scored on the power play. Sacha Guimond’s goal made it 5-3 Stockton but the Bulls appeared to have the momentum at that point. The crowd of 12,881 at HP Pavilion were also doing their part in helping the Bulls comeback effort. Things got exciting when Alex Tuckerman scored at the 12:46 mark and got the Bulls back within one. Kwiet and Crescenzi earned assists on Tuckerman’s goal. Stockton’s Cameron Abney finally put the game out of reach for the Bulls with just under three minutes remaining however. Abney’s goal made it 6-4 Stockton and that would prove to be the final in this game.
The Bulls will return to action at the Cow Palace this coming Friday night as they take on the Ontario Reign at 7:15 PM.
Contact the writer at Randy.Thompson@prohockeynews.com
Contact the photographer at Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com
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