Stockton Thunder Tilt the Ice, Best the Bakersfield Condors 6-5 Over Weekend

The Stockton Thunder returned home  on Sunday for a late afternoon game against the rising Bakersfield Condors. The game’s ice tilted back and forth in favour of both teams, with the game tied up three times in the third period. Joey Trivino netted the game winning goal for the Thunder, overcoming the Condors 6-5. Stockton has struggled to put games away, especially in their last 5 game road trip where they came away with 3 out of a possible 10pts. Their last game against the San Francisco Bulls saw them lose in the shootout after they allowed the Bulls to score 3 unanswered.  Mike Dalhuisen, who made his debut after returning from the AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers, found the back of the net to tie the game with only 2 minutes left to play in the third and force overtime play, but it would be San Francisco’s Brett Findlay who would score the shootout goal to give the Bulls the victory Saturday night over the Thunder.

The Bakersfield Condors have had the opposite trend, winning the last two games at home against the Utah Grizzles. Earlier in the week the Condors lost their top scorer Chris Collins to a call-up with the AHL Norfolk Admirals. They however have had several players step up and make offensive contributions with Gary Steffes scoring twice in the game and Ryan Little scoring his first professional goal in the contest.

The story of the night for the Thunder was the top line of Garet Hunt, Andrew Clark and Greg Miller who dominated the scoring and showcased their budding chemistry on the ice. Head Coach Rich Kromm said, “They all are pretty persistent on the puck so they force a lot of turnovers and then capitalize on them. They all compete really hard, they’ve been a good line for us.”

Both Clark and Hunt have played with one another since the end of last season. Miller was sent down from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers when Kiriil Kabanov was recalled and has been a new addition as a linemate. Miller thinks the chemistry the three have had together is pretty evident. “Over the last couple games we really fit well together. I know Clark and Hunt have played together for a while so coming in you have to find a way to help out and find your role. I think we are all reading off each other and supporting each other down low which I think has been really helpful.”

Garet Hunt is also becoming an offensive force, 2nd in goals scored behind Andrew Clark for the Thunder. He credits his linemates  and the team for his recent hot streak. “It’s really credit to Andrew Clark and Miller, everybody out there. I’m just trying to find areas to be open and they are getting the passes through and I just have to bear down. There is not much to say except to credit those guys finding me in those grade A zones,” Hunt said.

Andrew Clark said that Hunt hasn’t really been known for his offensive play but that he has done a great job in learning the little things. “He is adapting to a different style of game play that he wasn’t really used to and I think with Miller coming in he’s played well. I think it took him a little bit of time to find that chemistry but I think right now we are going pretty well as a group.”

Clark himself now sits at the top of the ECHL in Rookie points, is 6th overall in points with 26 and tied for most points in a single game by an ECHL player this year (5pts in Sunday’s contest with Bakersfield).

The game itself was a mixture of sloppy play by both teams, with goals traded faster than horses, especially by the time the third period rolled around. Of the 6-5 Thunder win, Head Coach Kromm said,”I give our guys credit because they kept pushing back and battling back every time we had to. My concern is we shouldn’t have to score that many goals to win a hockey game.We have to be better defensively and learn how to get the killer instinct when we have it and then shut the other team down and not give them any opportunities. There were too many turnovers and too many high risk plays.”

The Thunder will have to tighten up defensively before taking on the league leading Ontario Reign with two games being played in Ontario Friday and Sunday and one at home Saturday night. If they can reduce the number of turnovers and keep the scoring hot streak, they should be well matched for the Reign’s fast play.