The Shane Owen Factor: Stockton Thunder Goaltender Nets ECHL Goaltender of the Week

(photo: Jack Lima Photography)

Nothing short of a brick wall has been in net for the Stockton Thunder, Shane Owen has been named this week’s CCM ECHL Goaltender of the Week. Save after spectacular save, Owen has kept his team alive for a win, even when the defense in front of him comes up short. He can take physical play in front of the crease, for him, it’s just a part of the game. He’s stood tall for the team and made the saves when he’s had to. He currently leads the ECHL with 375 saves, a testament to how many shots he’s turned aside.

“Obviously he’s been great,” Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Rich Kromm said. “He had two great outings for us this past week and certainly is helping us as we turn things around. Shane has been really good when we have been under siege and definitely deserves this honor.”

Owen credits much of his string of successes to the improved defensive core working in front of him. It has been a focus during practice. “We’ve been working hard in practice on the defensive zone and the forwards coming back and picking up the man lead. It’s helping out in making those first stops and everyone is clearing the puck from the front of the net so it’s making my job a lot easier.”

Owen, 23, had two wins over the Condors last week and recorded a 1.50 goals-against-average and a .956 save-percentage in two appearances for the Thunder.

The Shanty Bay, Ontario native stopped 29 shots during Thursday’s morning game in Bakersfield to help his team to the 3-2 win and topped that performance on Sunday with a 36 save, 4-1 victory over the Condors at Stockton Arena.

The Thunder netminder has appeared in 12 games for the Thunder this season, recording a 5-6-0 record. Owen has appeared in 72 career ECHL games with the Thunder, Utah Grizzlies, Alaska Aces, Florida Everblades and South Carolina Stingrays and has posted a 26-28-10 record with two shutouts. Last season, Owen played for the CHL Missouri Mavericks, where he led the league with 35 wins. He was named to both the All-CHL Team and the All-Rookie team for the 2013-14 season and was named the Oakley CHL Goaltender of the Week four times and the Warrior CHL Goaltender of the Month for December 2013.