Thunder edge Vegas, 3-2

STOCKTON, Ca – The Stockton Thunder defeated the Las Vegas Wranglers in game one of the Pacific Division finals at the Stockton Arena before a crowd of 4,398. The Wranglers came out aggressive and physical against the Thunder. The first five minutes was a series of puck handling and limited shots on goal. The Wranglers Mike Hamilton (second goal of post season) was the first to break the goal line at 3:59 with a shot from a feed off Shawn Limpright

and Dan Spang that went behind goalie Parker Van Buskirk. 
 
At 6:06, Justin Taylor put a wrist shot in the back of the net with assists to Tyler Mosienko and Hamilton.  The 2-0 lead didn’t last long as at 9:22 Cory Urquhart scored on a great play from Sebastien Bisaillon with Craig Valette picking up the second assist.
 
“(It was) a great pass from (Sebastien) Bisaillon,” said Urquhart. “I didn’t even shoot it; I think it just hit my stick and went in”. 
 
Then, just over a minute later, Ryan Huddy (third of post season) from just in front of the net took a rebound that went up and over goalie Glenn Fisher after Fisher fell from a previous stop. James Bates and Daryl Marcoux received assists. Robbie Bina, at 12:11 scored a power play goal that hit the back of the net behind Fisher, putting the Thunder up 3-2. Fisher was chased out of the net following the Thunder goal, and replaced by John DeCaro for the rest of the game. In the second period Las Vegas’ Adam Miller scored his second goal of the postseason and the tying goal at 2:24 into the period. Sean Owens and Dan Riedel received assists. Both teams would hold one another to three goals going into the break. The third period, as a result of a charging minor on the goaltender by J.D. Watt, the Thunder had another power play opportunity. At 4:02, Urquhart scored the go-ahead goal with assists to Huddy and Bates. This was Urquhart’s eighth goal in the post season. The Thunder held the Wranglers scoreless in the period, and after a barrage of attempts by Las Vegas in front of the net, the Thunder would come out victorious, 4-3. “Las Vegas is an assertive team.  They play an up and down style, and have lots of good (defensemen) that can move the puck well. I like the match up,” said Urquhart.  “As a team I think we responded well.” Fisher played just over 12 minutes, but struggled and faced eight shots on goal, with only five saves.  DeCaro finished the game for the Wranglers and faced 20 shots on goal while 19 saves, but he took the loss. “We’re not worried. We’re going to have a good battle with this team,” remarked Wranglers defenseman Mike Madill.  “We have similar teams, we just have to follow our systems and stay out of the penalty box.  We just have to keep firing away; that’s how you create chances. Get pucks on the net. And that’s were the good things happen.”
 
According to Urquhart the key for the Thunder to keep going will be to take care of themselves and get rest whenever they can.
Stockton’s Van Buskirk had 38 shots and made 35 saves. The Thunder improved their power play stats with two successes in six opportunities.
 
“The fans here are great; it’s good to hear them. They’ve been great all year,” added Urquhart.  “We did a good job tonight, taking advantage of home ice. This was a big win.” The next game will be Tuesday, April 28th at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Games three and for will bring both teams back to Stockton. Contact the writer at: shellie.lima@prohockeynews.com Contact the photographer at: jack.lima@prohockeynews.com
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