Stockton takes game 1 of best of 5 series

STOCKTON, Calif. – The Stockton Thunder scored early in game one and never looked back

Kevin Baker tips a shot wide past Kyle Jones

to take a 1-0 lead in their best of 5 series, beating the Colorado Eagles 3-1 before 2,874 fans at the Stockton Arena.
Garret Hunt opened the scoring at 3:10 of the first period when he snapped a shot from in close to beat Eagles goalie Kyle Jones. Newcomer Greg Squires, playing in only his third game with the Thunder, assisted on the goal along with defenseman Mike Little.

Garet Hunt scores past Eagles Goalie Kyle Jones for first goal of the game

The score remained 1-0 until 10:42 of the second period. Garret Hunt took an interference penalty and on the ensuing Colorado power play, Jessie Fratkin converted on a 2-on-1 shorthanded breakaway, to put Stockton up 2-0. Nathan Deck earned an assist on the goal.

Jesse Fratkin scores a shorthanded goal

The Thunder took a commanding 3-0 lead at 4:29 of the third period. With Teegan Moore serving an interference penalty, Chris D’Alvise buried a powerplay goal with helpers from Max Campbell and Kevin Baker. Colorado tried to mount a comeback at 6:08 of the third period, when Aaron Slattengren shot a rebound past Stockton goaltender Olivier Roy to make the score 3-1. Roy had made a stop of the initial shot, but the rebound came right out in front of the net to Slattengren, who shot the puck into the vacated net.

Eagles goalie Kyle Jones makes outstanding kick save

Roy stopped 35 of 36 shots to earn the first star of the game. Garet Hunt was named second star and Jesse Fratkin was awarded with the third star on the game.
The two teams get right back in action with game 2 slated for Wednesday night at the Stockton Arena.