Thunder take commanding 3-1 lead in series

STOCKTON, Calif. – The Stockton Thunder were victorious in game four, finally finding a way to solve Jean-Philippe Levasseur of the Condors before a home crowd of 4,932 fans at the Stockton Arena.
The Thunder came out in the first period like they had something to prove following Wednesday night’s shutout.   Matt Robinson opened the scoring by the Thunder late in the first period with a breakaway goal past Levasseur. At the horn, both teams let their emotions run wild, as linesmen tried to break up several skirmishes that resulted in fighting majors to both Sasha Pokulok and Igor Gongalsky.
Stockton returned from the break and Oren Eizenman scored a goal less than a minute into the second period.   The eventual winning goal came at 4:46 into the period on a rebound that Bryan Young wristed past Levasseur. The goal was Young’s first in the post season. Stephane Goulet found an opening on the lower corner of the net for Bakersfield at 7:04 to put the Condors on the board.   Chris D’Alvise and Jason Pitton scored for Stockton again before the end of the period to put the Thunder up 5-1 at the second intermission.
While the only penalties called during the first two periods was the fight at the end of the first period, the third period was an entirely different story, for Stockton anyway.   The Condors had four separate power play opportunities, and capitalized on one at 10:07 into the period.   Eric Regan scored as Andrew Perugini was drawn off to the side of the net and was not able to get back into position quick enough.   The goal appeared to give the Condors a little boost of energy, but the Thunder held fast.
 
Levasseur was pulled for the extra skater late in the third. Gongalsky intercepted a pass and headed to the neutral zone and shot at the empty net.   The referee ruled no-goal, and off-sides.   The call appeared to rile the fans, but the Thunder regained composure and used the call to help to further motivate their actions.
 
Pitton intercepted a pass again, then passed to Robinson who streaked up the ice and flipped the puck to Matt Marquardt to drop it into an empty net and ultimately seal the game at 18:50, with a final score of 6-2 Thunder.
 
The Thunder played solidly tonight, as opposed to Wednesday night’s game. they got goal contributions from six different players and Robinson had three points for the game.   D’Alvise netted his fifth goal of the post season, and Pitton his fourth.
 
Perugini got the win with 27 saves, while Levasseur had 17.   The Thunder dominated the first and second period 11-6 and 10-6 shots on the net respectively.   The condors outshot the Thunder 17-2 in the final period, but they simply could not find a way to get the puck past Perugini.   Most of the third period was spent in the Thunder’s defensive zone.
 
Stockton ’s win tonight, means they will have an opportunity to take the series with a win on Saturday, which would ultimately result in their first ever advancement to the conference finals.   The Condors face a must win situation.   If the Condors stave off elimination, the series will head back to Bakersfield for games six and seven, if necessary.  
 
 
Contact the writer at Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com
Contact the photographer at Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com