BAKERSFIELD , Calif. – The Stockton Thunder proves victorious at Rabobank Arena before 4,827, with a final score of 4-3. This marks the second night in a row that the Thunder defeated the Condors in overtime. They lead the series 2-0 in the semifinal playoffs.
The Condors opened up the scoring midway through the first period with a goal by Sasha Pokuluk, his first of the post season. Stockton’s J.F. Caudron tied the score with an unassisted goal at 16:06 into the period. Before the intermission, Bakersfield’s Ryan Menei found the back of the net on a power play, to give them the lead 2-1 at the break.
The second period Thunder’s Ryan Constant found the back of the net on a slapshot, through traffic, past Timo Pielmeier at 10:37. The Condors took back the lead at 12:47 with a goal by Maxime Macenauer, with an assist from Menei. But Stockton would knot the score again with a goal late in the period by Oren Eizenman on a power play rebound. This was Eizenman’s first goal of the post season. At the horn tempers flared, as Kevin Morin and Matt Marquardt dropped the gloves at the end of the second period.
The third period proved scoreless forcing a second consecutive night of sudden-death overtime.
At 9:01 into the overtime period, following several scoring opportunities and near misses for both teams, Eizenman finds the net to give the Thunder the overtime win 4-3. Eizenman is the hero of the night, with two goals on the night.
Bakersfield led in shots on goal with 44-42. Stockton was one for five on the power play, while the Condors were one for three. Andrew Perugini will get the win for the night.
The Thunder leads the series 2-0 and will return back to Stockton for the next three games, beginning Wednesday, April 21. Contact the writer at Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com
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