ONTARIO, Calif. – The Stockton Thunder played their last ever game against the Ontario Reign at Citizens Bank Arena, loosing 7-4. Ontario’s Matt White had a 5 point night including four goals and an assist in the Reign win. Stockton ends the season with a 35-34-9 all-time record against the Reign.
Matt White (20) opens the scoring with a goal past Thunder goalie Lukas Gore – Photo by Jack Lima
In the first period, the Reign started the scoring when Rocco Carzo dropped a pass across the crease to Matt White, who wristed the puck to the back of the net, past Lucas Gore at 2:19 into the period. It would be only 40 seconds later when Stockton’s James Henry slapped a shot towards the net that was blocked by Jussi Olkinuora, but the loose puck was then tipped in by Klarc Wilson. A short time later, Kyle Bigos and Wilson dropped the gloves, with Wilson clearly coming up the victor, but a valiant effort by Bigos.
Klarc Wilson (21) fights Kyle Bigos – Photo by Jack Lima
White scored his second goal of the game short-handed with 2:41 remaining in the period, when he picked Brad Stebner’s pocket in the Thunder defensive zone and turned the puck around and wristed it past Gore. The Reign held the lead 2-1 going into the first break.
Vinny Scarsella (23) fights Zach Bell for puck possession – Photo by Jack Lima
David Rutherford scored 9:50 into the second period on a power play extending the Ontario lead. Maxim Kitsyn scored another Reign goal at the 17:03, with assists to Carzo and White. The goal went in over a sprawled Gore at the net. Then Stockton’s Mike Pereira found the puck on his stick in a one-on-one breakaway, but was dragged down by Bigos in the slot and given a penalty shot opportunity. But Olkinuora easily stopped his shot.
Kyle Bigos (4) checks Garrett Ladd – Photo by Jack Lima
Wilson dropped the gloves again, this time against Norm Ezekiel, ultimately pulling Ezekiel’s sweater up over his head as the officials stepped in and sending both players to the box with the added two for removing their helmets.
Jussi Olkinuora (31) makes a pad save on Tyler Shattock (16) – Photo by Jack Lima
White scored his third goal of the night when he slapped the puck past Gore to the opposite side of the net at 19:18, and the hats flew to the ice. The teams would head to intermission with an Ontario 5-1 lead.
Garrett Ladd (14) scores a goal in his pro debut – Photo by Jack Lima
The Reign clearly dominated during the second period leading 21-14 in shots on goal. Early in the second period, Adam Phillips took a hit along the wall and left the ice with an upper body injury; he did not return for the duration of the game. There was no update available immediately following the game.
Matt White (20) scores his fourth goal of the game – Photo by Jack Lima
The Thunder started this game with three new player’s added to the roster in defenseman Kyle Brodie and Forwards Garret Ladd and Carter Rigby.
In the third period, Brodie earned his first professional career point with an assist on Tyler Shattock’s goal at 3:22 into the period.
Jussi Olkinuora (31) stops a shot by Brad Stebner (2) – Photo by Jack Lima
Coach Rich Kromm said, “I think [Brodie] became more comfortable as the game went on, making plays with the puck. That goal, when he was at the blue line and earned an assist, that was a great pass.”
Ladd had a couple of great chances early in the game that were blocked and took a pretty hard hit in the third.
At the 9:08 mark Ontario’s Alex Roach sent a shot towards the net that was tipped in by Josh Brittain that beat Gore in the net for the 6-2 Reign lead.
With 2:19 remaining in the game, Ladd scored his first professional goal, when he slipped the puck into the net stickside of Olkinoura.
Ladd said after the game, “I was just trying to keep the game simple. I didn’t want to try to do too much. I know I’m not going to score unless I shoot the puck. I was just trying to take advantage of my chances and hope one would bounce in and it did,” adding, “Initially, I was stunned.”
But it would be less than 30 seconds later, when White scored his fourth goal of the night.
Brad Stebner scored a goal with only 17.5 seconds remaining, but it wouldn’t be enough, as the Thunder would lose the game 7-4 to the Reign for the season sweep. This was the Reign’s last home game before 9,395 fans.
In their first professional game following playing DIII college hockey, Brodie spoke after the game. “It was scary at first, but once I shook the nerves, I thought I settled in there. It was a lot of people to play in front of for the first game,” said Brodie. “I wish we could have won,” he added.
When asked what the biggest differences were, he said, “Speed, without a doubt. The transition game is so quick. You have to keep your head on a swivel, because if not, these guys will blow right by you.”
Ladd also remarked on the differences, “This game is so much more controlled. These guys have better puck control.”
Oftentimes, players that make it to the professional level have their welcome to the pro’s moment. Ladd was confident his welcome moment was one of the hard hits along the boards near the bench early in the third period.
“I got hit pretty hard there – that was a little bit of a wakeup call,” said Ladd. “I took the hit and got back up.”
“They all played well, and were obviously nervous,” said coach Kromm. “But as the game went on, they made a good start. It was good to see.”
The Thunder out shot the Reign 31-28 as Lucas Gore took the loss in the net, while Olkinuora improves to 25-9-3.
The Thunder have only three games remaining, all against the Bakersfield Condors, two road games and the final game of the season at home on April 11.
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