Stockton leads series 2-1

STOCKTON, Calif. – The Thunder roared past Alaska in an emotionally charged and pivotal game three to lead the series 2-1. Last night in the Stockton Arena, before 4,212 screaming fans, the Thunder defeated the Aces 7-4.
 
Prior to the game, Thunder’s Coach Matt Thomas said about the previous two games in Alaska, “It’s important to win on the road. We went into this thinking we were going to win the series. I believe in our team.” The Thunder returned home with the series tied at one-apiece.   “It’s hard to win the second game, when you lose the first. It’s not going to be any easier here. Alaska is going to bring it.”
 
James Bates said in anticipation for game three, “Anytime you can step up a game, that give you a little momentum, then to have that killer instinct. That’s when you can really put teams away. The best of five series is good, if you get up a game and you win the next one, its over.”
 
The game didn’t begin like the freight train they had hoped, in fact, it was slow starting. The Aces goal early in the first seemed to put a damper on the “go gold” crowd. Many sporting yellow t-shirts with “it’s time to kick some Alaska Aces” emblazed on the back.   At 7:02, following a tripping penalty on Stockton’s Bryan Young, Bryan Miller scored a power-play goal with an assist from former Thunder’s Judd Blackwater.   Then at 16:03 the crowd came to life when Matt Marquardt found Ryan Constant to score a power play goal that passed Scott Reid in the net.   The end of the period the teams were all tied up at 1-1.
 
The sole goal of the second came as Chris D’Alvise scored early in the period to give Stockton the 2-1 edge.
 
The final period opened with Stockton skating a man short, resulting from a late call in the second. As J.F. Caudron was leaving the box, Ace’s Miller scored his second goal of the night to even the score, 2-2.   Alaska took back the lead at 5:47 on an unassisted goal by Dion Knelsen at 5:47.  
 
About mid-way through the period, the momentum turned.   Stockton evened the score with a power play goal by Jason Pitton, at 11:23, then three minutes later, Marquardt scored.   Then, only 40 seconds later, by what would be the ultimate game winner, Kelly Czuy found the net. The fans were on their feet.    The Aces were not going down easy, and their next shift, Brock McBride fed a pass to Blackwater who wristed the puck past Andrew Perugini.  
 
The scoring did not end, as D’Alvise scored his second goal of the night with 3:01 remaining, to give Stockton some cushion on the lead 6-4.   Reid was pulled for the man advantage, but Constant’s long shot from their own zone added a final empty net goal and give Stockton game two, with a final of 7-4.
 
Stockton finished the night two for three on the power play, while the Aces were one for five.   Stockton led 46-43 in shots on goal for the night.
 
Thomas was pleased with the win, their “backs are against the wall now going into game four. It’s going to be tough.”
 
Contact the writer at Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com
Contact the photographer at Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com