Thunder looking strong

STOCKTON, Calif. – The Stockton Thunder are 2-1-1, with five points in their first four match ups to date. The last two games have been on the road, where they faced the Las Vegas Wranglers in a set of two back-to-back games on the Orleans Arena. Friday night’s game was a heartbreaker, as the Thunder, who held a 1-0 lead after 40 minutes of play, lost in the first thirty seconds of overtime. One of Stockton’s newest players, Teigan Zahn scored his first professional goal of his career at 9:11 into the first period.
 
Former Thunder, Judd Blackwater scored the tying goal for the Wranglers at the 2:13 marker of the third period, netting his second goal of the season. The Thunder regained the lead at 5:40 on a goal from Philippe Cornet, but could not hang on, as Chris Francis scored the equalizer at 11:15 forcing overtime.
 
Scott Campbell scored the winning goal just 30 seconds into the overtime period to give the Wranglers the win for the night. Tyler Bunz took the loss with 22 saves while Joe Fallon earned the win with 17 saves for the effort.
 
On Saturday, with the help of a promise from Coach Matt Thomas, the players had an opportunity to earn some free time on the town in the city that never sleeps, Las Vegas. A goal with less than 16-seconds remaining in the game, from Cam Brodie gave the Thunder the 5-4 edge for the win and night on the town.
 
The other four goals in the game came off the sticks of Thunder players, Toni Rajala, Harrison Reed, (both in the first period) Phil Mangan (second) and Matt Bergland (third). Wranglers had contributions from Josh Lunden (first), Blackwater, Adam Hughesman (second) and Charlie Cook (third).
 
In the net, Cody Reichard took the win with 26 saves, while Matt O’Keefe had 20 saves in the loss. Reichard earned his first professional win for the effort.
 
Stockton’s Bergland earned his first professional goal of his career, as well as first multipoint game, with the addition of two assists on the night.
 
Cornet is on a point streak, earning a point in each of the Thunders first four games. The Thunder will play in Bakersfield next Saturday night, and then return home for a Sunday matinee event against the Condors, in an away-home weekend.
 
Contact the writer at Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com
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