Thunder avenges Opening Night loss, Tyler Bunz earns first career shutout

ONTARIO, Calif. – Tyler Bunz made 17 saves for his first professional win and shutout, and Matt Reber had two goals and an assist to lead the Stockton Thunder (1-1-0, 2 points) to a 4-0 victory over Ontario Reign before 9,616 fans at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Saturday.

Garet Hunt (right) celebrates one of Matt Reber's two goals in Saturday's win at Ontario. (photo by Lee Calkins)

The Thunder, who turned the tables on Ontario one night after dropping the home opener at Stockton Arena, were helped out additionally with goals from Tony DeHart and Gabriel Levesque.

Reber, who tied a career high with three points (2g-1a), put the Thunder ahead 1-0 at the 2:44 mark of the opening period, completing a give-and-go play at the left post on a two on one rush with Jesse Fratkin.

DeHart then blasted a slap shot, off a drop pass from Reber, under the crossbar to put Stockton ahead 2-0 with 9:13 elapsed in the second period. Stockton’s defense and Bunz put the clamps on the Ontario attack through two periods, limiting the Reign to ten shots on goal.

Bunz completed the effort with seven saves in the third period as Gabriel Levesque and Reber put the game out of reach. Levesque put in a power play goal, off a rebound, with 5:50 gone in the third period.

Bunz then racked up his biggest save of the night with his glove, sprawling to his left to rob Colton Yellow Horn’s redirection at the right circle.

Reber then outraced the Ontario defense to bury his second of the night at 11:54 for a 4-0 Thunder lead.

J.F. Berube made 23 saves to earn the loss.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Evan Vossen, Phil Mangan, Ryan Green, Cameron Brodie and Rob Kwiet … Fratkin collected an assist in his season debut … the Thunder outshot Ontario 27-17 … Ontario was blanked on an 0-for-6 effort on the power play.

The Thunder returns to play at Las Vegas on Friday, Oct. 19, starting at 7:05 p.m. (1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com).

A two time recipient of the ECHL “Award of Excellence,” the Thunder led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew over 200,000 fans for the seventh consecutive season in 2011-12. Season Tickets, Group Tickets and Mini-Plans for 2012-13 are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.StocktonThunder.com.

THREE STARS:

1. STK – M. Reber

2. STK – T. Bunz

3. ONT – C. Yellow Horn