Thunder take two of three from Wranglers

STOCKTON, Calif. – This past weekend marked the midway point for the Stockton Thunder (17-17-1-3, 38 points) in sixth place in the Western Conference. Coach Matt Thomas has been working tirelessly to seek out new combinations to bring more chemistry to a young team.
 
The Thunder hosted the Las Vegas Wranglers (25-13-1-3, 54 points), the leader of their division, in a three game-three night series, taking home four of the six points.
 
On Friday, Stockton’s Olivier Roy (8-12-1-3) was in the net and took the 5-4 loss with 26 saves. The Wranglers got off to a quick start, leading the first period 3-0, with goals by Josh Lunden, Jeff May and Adam Miller. But the Thunder came back in the second period with two quick goals within the first three minutes by newcomer Chris Doyle and Ian O’Connor to close the gap to 3-2.
 
Las Vegas Lunden scored his second goal of the night to give them the 4-2 edge going into the second intermission. Tremendous saves by Roy and Joe Fallon in the net kept other scoring opportunities to a minimum.
 
In the third period, Stockton’s Doyle scored his second goal of the night, followed three minutes later by Jordan Fultons goal to tie the game at four apiece. It would be May’s conversion with 1:01 remaining in regulation to give the Wranglers the 5-4 win. Barry Goers and Eric Lampe each had two assists on the night in the win.
 
Wranglers’ goaltender Fallon had 29 saves for his 20 win of the season. Following the game, Lunden was called up to the Peoria Rivermen of the AHL.
 
In Saturday’s game, the Thunder celebrated their annual “Teddy Bear Toss”, with a 7-5 win over Las Vegas before 7,405 fans at the Stockton Arena on a blustery night.
 
The Thunder outshot the Wranglers 43 to 29 in the game, while goaltender Alex Stalock had his first appearance back in the net this season.
 
Stalock had been sidelined last February following a season ending injury. He had made his debut with the San Jose Sharks on February 1, 2011, in relief of Antti Niemi. He faced nine shots on goal, getting his first NHL win. But it was only three days later, after being reassigned to the AHL Worcester Sharks, he received a severe cut to his leg by an opponents skate. He underwent surgery shortly thereafter to repair damage to a nerve near his knee. Estimates at the time stated he would be out at least until February 2012. But his appearance in Saturday’s game seemed to demonstrate he has rehabilitated quite well.
 
In the first period, the teams exchanged goals, led by Wranglers Sean Wiles and Stockton’s Jesse Fratkin. Most of the scoring occurred in the second period, where Wiles scored his second goal, accompanied by goals from Lampe, and Chris Francis. Stockton’s four goals during the period were posted by Mike Little, Tony DeHart, Fratkin, and O’Connor.
 
Las Vegas’ Miller scored on a power play at 8:41 to tie the teams at five apiece, but the Thunder continued to pound away at the net, finally scoring two more goals (Little and Doyle) to seal the 7-5 win over the Wranglers.
 
Despite Miller’s four-point and Wiles three-point game the Wranglers Fallon was handed the loss in the net with 36 saves for the night.
 
Stockton’s Stalock had 24 saves for his first game and win of the season. Colten Hayes also had three assists for the night.
 
In Sunday’s late afternoon game, before 4,097 fans, the Thunder was victorious again, defeating the Wranglers 4-2, despite appearing rather tired and warn-out; the exception Olivier Roy, in the net again for Stockton.
 
Roy made a career high 48 saves in the net, while Thomas Speer and Fallon split the game with five saves apiece. The Thunder had only 14 shots on goal for the entire game.
 
Doyle opened the scoring, continuing his streak since his arrival on the Thunder (3 games, four goals). Doyle was claimed off waivers from the South Carolina Stingrays earlier in the week. Less than three minutes later, Matt Foy scored his tenth goal of the season.
 
Wrangler’s Wiles scored a power play goal to end the period down 2-1. Jordan Fulton scored the sole goal of the second. Garet Hunt and Adam Huxley exchanged blows at the end of the second period as each team began to wear down.
 
Fallon replaced Speer in the net for the final period turning away all five shots he faced. Lampe scored again early in the third period on a shorthanded, unassisted goal to attempt to close the gap, but an empty net goal with 26 seconds remaining by Bretton Cameron sealed the Stockton win.
 
At the midpoint of the season, Stockton’s Kevin Baker (16 goals, 14 assists) and Matt Foy (10 goals, 20 assists) lead the team in points, with thirty each. O’Connor (10 goals, 10 assists) and Fulton (7 goals, 13 assists) each follow with twenty each. Nathan Deck leads among the defensemen with 4 goals and 14 assists.
 
After seventeen home games, Stockton is in third place in fan attendance, averaging 5,696 fans per game.
 
The Thunder will travel today to take on the Idaho Steelheads Tuesday and Wednesday, then return home to face Conference leader the Alaska Aces for a three game, three day series over the coming weekend.
 
Contact the writer at Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com Contact the photographer at Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com