Stockton Thunder tie-up series 2-2

 

Bryan Pitton and Bryan Young

Bryan Pitton and Bryan Young

STOCKTON, Calif. – Tonight at the Stockton Arena, the Thunder definitely brought their “A” game before 5,219 screaming fans waving yellow rally towels. Following the twelfth longest game in ECHL history, the Thunder continued their rally, to trample the Idaho Steelheads in a physically enduring game four with a final score of 7-2. Bryan Pitton earned the start in the net for tonight’s game, following that tremendous triple overtime game win on Wednesday.   Of the sixteen skaters on the Thunder, only four did not register points in tonight’s game.   The Stockton team’s two sets of brothers, Pitton’s and Hemingway’s, and the solid team effort tonight, made all the difference.
 
Guillaume Monast and Richard Bachman watch the puck.

Guillaume Monast and Richard Bachman watch the puck.

The first period began as a continuation in style from the previous night’s game, physical, back and forth, fast action and aggressive.   Solid hits were delivered on both ends of the ice, by both teams.  
 
Stockton drew first blood in the game tonight.   The power play opportunity came on a slashing minor by Idaho’s Brendan Milnamow.   As the offence drew Richard Bachman forward, Matt Robinson was able to wrist the shot into the back of the net, to put the Thunder up 1-0 at the 12:49 marker.    Thunder’s defense prevailed for the duration of the period, and the score stood, as the teams skated off the ice for the first break.
 
The second period action continued, and Steelhead’s John Swanson found a way to even the score on a pass from John-Scott Dickson at 4:55.   But Stockton took back the momentum at 8:26 with a goal by team captain J.F. Caudron.
 
J.F. Caudron Scores against Richard Bachman

J.F. Caudron Scores against Richard Bachman

As Idaho’s defense tried to get in the way, Evan Barlow lost his edge and pummeled into the net, striking team-mate Bachman hard.   The game was delayed, while Stockton’s team doctor and Idaho’s trainer tended to Bachman on the ice just beyond the crease. After a few frightening moments, Bachman was back-up on his own power, to the relieved applause from the Stockton Crowd.  
 
Less than two minutes later, Brett Hemingway scored on an Igor Gongalsky pass from around behind the net, to put Stockton up 3-1. Shortly after that, Rejean Beauchemin replaced Bachman in the net. But the momentum still leaned towards Stockton, as they sunk another goal at 12:22 by Jason Pitton.   The Thunder sailed off the ice at the buzzer with a 4-1 lead to end the second period.
 
goal against Rejean Beauchemin

goal against Rejean Beauchemin

Tempers flared as the teams returned to the ice for the third period.   Idaho’s Weston Tardy served a short penalty for holding, early in the period, that led to a power play goal by Matt Marquardt, assisted by Oren Eizenman.   More penalties for sloppy play by Idaho led to a goal by James Bates on another power play opportunity at 5:50.
 
Anger and frustration started to get the best of many of the skaters on both teams and led to six separate unsportsmanlike conduct penalties throughout the duration of the period.  
 
The Steelheads finally had a golden opportunity to change the energy, during a five-on-three advantage and Swanson found an open net at 14:35.   But that would be their last scoring opportunity.
 
Scrum ensues

Scrum ensues

With less than five minutes remaining, the Thunder up 7-2, a scrum ensued near the net, landing Ryan Constant and Kevin DeVergilio in the box.    DeVergilio received a spearing major, unsportsmanlike conduct and a game misconduct.   Constant was on the receiving end of an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty as well.  
 
By the game end, Idaho had netted only one of six power play opportunities, while the Thunder was three for eight.
 
Bryan Pitton received the first star of the game for his outstanding actions in the net.   Pitton had 29 saves during the game.  
 
Bachman played for just over half of the match, and faced 14 shots, with 11 saves.   Beauchemin faced 12 shots with eight saves for the night.
 
Dustin Friesen and James Bates battle

Dustin Friesen and James Bates battle

There won’t be much time to reflect on tonight’s game.   The teams will meet again on Saturday evening at the Stockton Arena, for one more game, before they head back to Idaho for games six and seven early in the week.
 
Contact the writer at Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com Contact the photographer at Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com  

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