STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, a two time recipient of the ECHL “Award of Excellence,” announced the King’s Room of Stockton Arena will serve again as the Thunder’s official road game Watch Party host of the 2013 Kelly Cup Finals series.

Admission is free to all fans and doors to the King’s Room of Stockton Arena, located adjacent to the North Entry, will open 30 minutes before opening face-off. Continuing a similar format, the Watch Parties will offer opportunities for fans to take advantage of food selections featuring:

• Nachos

• Hot Dogs

• Specialty grill cart sausages

• Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches

• Popcorn Bags

• Chips

• Select candies

During each game, prizes will be raffled to lucky fans in attendance.

STOCKTON VS. READING – KELLY CUP FINALS

Game 1: Stockton at Reading – Saturday, May 18 – 4:05 p.m. (Sovereign Center) – 1360 AM KFIV

Game 2: Stockton at Reading – Sunday, May 19 – 1:05 p.m. (Sovereign Center) – 1360 AM KFIV

Game 3: Reading at Stockton – Tuesday, May 21 – 7:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena) – 1280 AM KWSX

Game 4: Reading at Stockton – Friday, May 24 – 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena) – 1360 AM KFIV

Game 5: Reading at Stockton – Saturday, May 25 – 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)* – 1360 AM KFIV

Game 6: Stockton at Reading – Tuesday, May 28 – 4:05 p.m. (Sovereign Center)* – 1280 AM KWSX

Game 7: Stockton at Reading – Wednesday, May 29 – 4:05 p.m. (Sovereign Center)* – 1280 AM KWSX

*If necessary

(all times listed PT)

The Thunder defeated Las Vegas, 4-3 in the Conference Quarterfinals, defeated Alaska, 4-2 to advance to the Conference Finals for the second time in four seasons and defeated Idaho, 4-1 to advance to its first Kelly Cup Finals appearance in team history.

The ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers of the NHL, 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 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.

]]> http://www.stocktonthunder.com/2013/05/17/playoff-watch-parties-kelly-cup-finals/feed/ 0 http://www.stocktonthunder.com/2013/05/12/kelly-cup-finals-schedule-unveiled/ http://www.stocktonthunder.com/2013/05/12/kelly-cup-finals-schedule-unveiled/#comments Sun, 12 May 2013 08:13:59 +0000 Stockton Thunder Staff http://www.stocktonthunder.com/?p=17450 The Thunder and Reading Royals will open up the Kelly Cup Finals on Sat., May 18 and take the series to Stockton Arena beginning Tue., May 21 (7:00 p.m.).

Thunder captures Western Conference title for first time in team history, will face Reading in Kelly Cup Finals

STOCKTON, Calif. – Olivier Roy put on the best performance of his postseason career and the Stockton Thunder won Game 5 over the Idaho Steelheads 2-1 to become the 2013 Western Conference champions in front of 4,530 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday.

The Thunder, who clinched the series over the Steelheads 4-1, will now advance to the Kelly Cup Finals for the first time in team history. Stockton will face the Reading Royals, who eliminated the Cincinnati Cyclones in five games.

“It’s a great feeling.” Thunder head coach Matt Thomas said, “This building, our fans, our organization, and everyone that’s been involved since Day 1 to present day, they deserve a banner. The opportunity to put a banner in the building is something that I really strived to be able to do, and we’ve fallen short a couple times before. To finally get one is a pretty special accomplishment.”

STOCKTON VS. IDAHO – WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

(Stockton wins series, 4-1)

Game 1: Stockton 3 at Idaho 1

Game 2: Stockton 4 at Idaho 3 (OT)

Game 3: Idaho 2at Stockton 1 (OT)

Game 4: Idaho 2 at Stockton 3

Game 5: Idaho 1 at Stockton 2

Forward Andrew Clark put the Thunder on top for good, while forward Ryan Hayes got the scoring started for Stockton.

Roy made 44 saves in net, coming up big whenever his team needed him. Idaho’s Josh Robinson stopped 26 shots.

Though the Steelheads outshot the Thunder 18–10 in the opening frame, Roy kept Idaho off the score sheet with several key saves. One of those saves led to a two-on-one with Hayes and defenseman Tony DeHart. DeHart’s initial shot from the right circle was saved, but Hayes was able to poke home the rebound to give the Thunder a 1-0 lead 16:50 into the first period.

Idaho evened things up at the 4:39 mark of the second period when Tyler Gron stuffed the rebound from Patrick Cullity’s shot in the goal at the left post.

Thunder captain Garet Hunt (right) poses with Mike Pearce of the ECHL and the Bruce Taylor Trophy, awarded to the Western Conference champion. (photo by Asvitt Photography)

Late in the period, Thunder captain Garet Hunt poked the puck towards the Idaho net. Robinson came out to play the puck, but missed on the check. Clark was able to pick up the puck and wrap around the net for a goal, putting the Thunder up 2-1 18:16 into the second period.

As the clock ticked down in the third period, the Steelheads attack grew more and more relentless. However, the Thunder was up to the task, stopping all Idaho attempts and holding on to claim the first conference title in team history.

“It’s a real credit to the whole organization.” Hunt said, “It’s not just one or two guys in this locker room. It’s an organization that definitely gets you to where you are, all the way from the front office staff to [Thomas] doing scouting in the offseason to getting guys in here to be able to contribute. It’s definitely a credit to every single guy in this locker room.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Ryan Constant and Cameron Abney…the Thunder was outshot 45-28…Andrew Clark and Ryan Hayes have scored three times, each time in the same game…Daniel Gibb was given a game misconduct in the second period…the Thunder clinched the first championship of any kind in team history…the Thunder improves to 4-6 all-time in Game 5 scenarios lifetime and 7-3 when opponents face elimination … their eight wins at home are the most in the ECHL for the playoffs.

Game 1 of the Kelly Cup Finals will take place Saturday, May 18 against Reading at the Sovereign Center at 4:05 p.m.

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 – O. Roy

2. STK – A. Clark

3. STK – R. Hayes

STOCKTON, Calif. – The Stockton Thunder earned a late third period goal by Maxime Boisclair and used a key save by Olivier Roy on a penalty shot with 1.4 seconds left in regulation to hold on for a 3-2 win over the Idaho Steelheads to take a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals in front of 4,417 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday.

The Thunder now stands one win away from its first trip to the Kelly Cup Finals in team history.

Team captain Garet Hunt and forward Harrison Reed also found the back of the net for the Thunder.

STOCKTON VS. IDAHO – WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

(Stockton leads series, 3-1)

Game 1: Stockton 3 at Idaho 1

Game 2: Stockton 4 at Idaho 3 (OT)

Game 3: Idaho 2at Stockton 1 (OT)

Game 4: Idaho 2 at Stockton 3

Game 5: Idaho at Stockton – Saturday, May 11 – 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 6: Stockton at Idaho – Monday, May 13 – 6:10 p.m. (Century Link Arena) *

Game 7: Stockton at Idaho – Tuesday, May 14 – 6:10 p.m. (Century Link Arena) *

*If necessary

(all times listed PT)

“We knew that we started really slow in the last two home games.” Boisclair said, “We didn’t want to do the same thing tonight. We wanted to get off to a good start and that’s what we did.”

Roy, who earned the first star with 27 saves and a penalty shot stop, took the win. Idaho’s Josh Robinson was dealt a loss in a 32 save effort.

Olivier Roy stopped Austin Smith's penalty shot with 1.4 seconds remaining. (photo by Asvitt Photography)

After a scoreless first period, a giveaway by the Thunder led to a goal by Brett Robinson just 47 seconds into the second period. From his knees, Justin Taylor passed to Robinson in front of goal, where Robinson was too quick for Roy, giving the Steelheads a 1-0 lead.

Just 20 seconds later, Reed provided Stockton’s answer. Forward Matt Bergland sent the puck to the top of the circles, where Reed was able to get his stick to it before a trio of Steelheads defenders. The puck found its way into the net, and the Thunder had tied the game at 1-1.

Early in the third period, forward Eric Hunter centered the puck from the left circle. Hunt found the puck and fired a wrist shot that sailed by Robinson’s glove and gave the Thunder a 2-1 lead 2:59 into the final frame.

The Steelheads responded 14 seconds later when Robinson knocked in his second goal of the night in a scrum in front of the net, tying the contest at 2-2.

Collecting the puck at the right point, defenseman Nathan Deck sent a shot to the right of the goal, with the puck bouncing off the boards to the left post. Boisclair, having played the rebound correctly, met the puck and tapped it in, putting the Thunder on top 3-2 with 2:36 to go in the third period.

“It was kind of a lucky bounce.” Boisclair said, “Deck took a wide shot and it went off the other side. I just had to put the puck in.”

With 1.4 seconds remaining, Deck was called for a delay of game, resulting in a penalty shot for Idaho. Austin Smith stepped up to take the penalty, but his shot was wide right. The Thunder won the ensuing faceoff and ran out the clock to seal the win.

“This is a tough thing, what we’re trying to accomplish here.” Thunder head coach Matt Thomas said, “I’ve been through it before, getting a chance to go to the finals and win a championship. Not one second of it is easy. It’s going to take the best effort and the best game we’ve played all playoffs long to win tomorrow.

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Ryan Constant and Cameron Abney…the Thunder outshot the Steelheads 35-28…the Thunder was not penalized in the first period…Maxime Boisclair has tallied a point in every game in this series… Stockton improved to 7-2 at home in the playoffs and 7-5 lifetime in Game 4 scenarios … Boisclair also has goals in four of the last six games.

The Thunder will attempt to clinch the Western Conference title in Game 5 tomorrow against Idaho at Stockton Arena at 7:30 p.m. (1360 AM KFIV/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 – O. Roy

2. STK – M. Boisclair

3. IDH – B. Robinson

THOMAS: “I thought we played great. You always wish one of those great efforts and great shifts result in a goal. An unfortunate one there in the second period where Eric Hunter, one of your most responsible players, just misfires on a pass and they make a great play. Obviously we had a great response. Garet Hunt scores, they took a page out of our book and had a great response. I think that’s just what you’re going to get from these types of teams. They get a penalty shot and our goaltender makes the save. I don’t know if I can take many more like this, I think that’s the easiest way to say it. I have a splitting headache just from the intensity. We got the job done. All we are is one step closer to what we want to accomplish. We’ve got a lot of work to do, obviously we’re just focusing on the next one.”

RE: The game-winning goal

THOMAS: “We talked about getting the puck to the net and going to the net and looking for secondary chances and opportunities to score. Guys are just going to the net hard and sometimes pucks come your way, and that happens. It’s a huge goal, especially after we took the lead and gave it right back. It’s just a big game. Short of no overtime, it was a pretty special victory and just a great game to be a part of from both sides. It comes down to one last great play and we were the ones lucky enough to get the job done tonight.”

RE: Maxime Boisclair’s performance in this series

THOMAS: “Sometimes players have different matchups that work well for them in terms of what type of series it’s going to be. I pinpointed Max as a guy who would have a good series against these guys. He’s a big, strong guy and they have a very mobile defense. We’ve got to keep pucks in the offensive end and he’s really good at protecting it and getting on it down low. He’s got great hands and great vision. The Alaska series was a little bit of a tough one for him, it just wasn’t a great matchup for him. Sometimes as a player you can get frustrated, but he’s a veteran player. I owe him a lot because he stuck with me through that series and he’s stuck with it himself mentally, which is a tough thing to do sometimes. He’s a difference-maker and it’s good to see.”

RE: How Olivier Roy handled the penalty shot

THOMAS: “I guess if you’re going to win a championship, you’ve got to face everything at least once. I can’t imagine being him in that situation. I can’t imagine being Austin Smith on the other side. As a kid goaltender, I’m sure that’s what Olivier dreamed about: that type of a play, game on the line. That’s why you’re a goalie, you want to be the difference-maker for your team. You just tip your hat to Olivier for staying focused and getting the job done for us.”

RE: How do you prepare for tomorrow?

THOMAS: “This is a tough thing to accomplish what we’re trying to accomplish. I’ve been through it before, getting the chance to go to the finals and win a championship. Not one second of it is easy and it’s going to take the best effort and the best game we’ve played all playoffs long to win tomorrow. You know that team down the hallway has no plans to go away. We have our own goals, too. I think you’re just going to see another terrific hockey game and you hope you do enough to come out on top.”

KELLY CUP PLAYOFFS – WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

GAME: Stockton Thunder vs. Idaho Steelheads

DATE: Friday, May 10, 2013

TIME: 7:30 p.m.

SITE: Stockton Arena

RADIO: 1360 AM KFIV/StocktonThunder.com (America One)/92.5 FM (in house feed)

NHL AFFILIATES

Stockton Thunder: Edmonton Oilers

Idaho Steelheads: Dallas Stars

TICKETS: Click here – as low as $11

VIDEO: Shawn Weller morning skate interview at Stockton Arena

NEXT HOME GAME

GAME 5 – WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL – Saturday, May 11 vs. Idaho Steelheads (7:30 p.m.)

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP

The fourth seeded Stockton Thunder returns to Stockton Arena tonight against the Idaho Steelheads for Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. Stockton has a 2-1 series lead, with both wins coming on the road and Andrew Clark scoring in overtime to win Game 2. The Thunder won the season series 3-2, taking the three of the last four games, all at Stockton Arena. These two teams last met in the playoffs in the 2010 National Conference Finals, when the Steelheads eliminated the Thunder 4-2. The Thunder and Steelheads also met in the 2007 National Conference Quarterfinals. Idaho won that matchup in six games as well.

STOCKTON VS. IDAHO – WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL (all times listed PT)

(Stockton leads series, 2-1)

Game 1: Stockton 3 at Idaho 1

Game 2: Stockton 4 at Idaho 3 (OT)

Game 3: Idaho 2 at Stockton 1 (OT)

Game 4: Idaho at Stockton – Friday, May 10 – 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 5: Idaho at Stockton – Saturday, May 11 – 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 6: Stockton at Idaho – Monday, May 13 – 6:10 p.m. (Century Link Arena) *

Game 7: Stockton at Idaho – Tuesday, May 14 – 6:10 p.m. (Century Link Arena) *

*If necessary

2012-13 Head to Head Schedule: (3-2-0)

Wed. Nov. 14 Stockton 2 at Idaho 4

Sun. Nov. 18 Idaho 3 at Stockton 4

Fri. Feb. 1 Idaho 3 at Stockton 2

Sat. Feb. 2 Idaho 2 at Stockton 3

Sat. Mar. 30 Idaho 2 at Stockton 4

NOTE OF THE NIGHT

The Thunder is 6-5 lifetime in Game 4 and last won in Game 4 of the Conference Semifinals vs. Alaska (2-1 in overtime).

SEASON SERIES IN REVIEW:

The Thunder finished 3-2-0 against Idaho this season with neither team winning by more than two goals in any game … the season series kicked off on Nov. 14 with the long game in Boise … third period goals by Kael Mouillierat and Neil Graham pushed the Steelheads to a 4-2 win at Century Link Arena … Stockton got revenge four days later at home … Harrison Reed and Phil Mangan scored third period goals as the Thunder held on for a 4-3 win on 11/18 at Stockton Arena … David Toews stunned the Thunder with 43 seconds left in a 3-2 Steelheads win on 2/1 at Stockton Arena … the force was with the Thunder on “Star Wars Night” on 2/2 as five goals in the second period (three by the Thunder) resulted in a 3-2 win at Stockton Arena – two goals went to Harrison Reed … Ryan Hayes‘s two goals helped the Thunder topple the Steelheads 4-2 in the regular season finale on 3/30 at Stockton Arena.

GLORY HAYES

Ryan Hayes, acquired in a trade by the Thunder from South Carolina on Mar. 1 for future considerations, leads the ECHL in playoff scoring (20 points) and assists (13) in 16 games. His 20 points has broken the Thunder single season playoff record (19) set by Oren Eizenman in 2009-10. Hayes had a seven game scoring streak (12 points), tied for the longest in the league for the postseason through Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals vs. Idaho.

COUNT ON CLARK

Andrew Clark is tied for second in ECHL playoff scoring with 17 points in 14 games, leading all league rookies in playoff scoring as well. Three of his six goals have come as game-winners and he also scored a game tying goal with five seconds left in regulation in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals at Alaska, en route to 4-3 overtime win which eliminated the Aces. Clark has scored five goals in the last seven postseason games.

RECORD RUN

The Thunder tied its playoff record with five goals in one period (3rd) on Apr. 12 in its 5-3 comeback win over the Las Vegas Wranglers in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinal. The feat equaled the accomplishment which was set twice in the Conference Quarterfinal in 2010 against the Alaska Aces, set in Game 3 (3rd period) and in Game 4 (1st period). Stockton won that series, 3-1.

THE DEFENSE DOESN’T REST

During the month of February, the Thunder defense limited opponents to three goals or less in each of the seven games featuring a win or shootout loss (Feb. 9 at Alaska – 3-2 shootout loss). The Thunder defense allowed just two goals or less in five of the previous seven games.

ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL(ER)

Thunder forward Shawn Weller collected 17 points and a +6 rating in 19 games since joining the Thunder during the middle of the season. Weller, a former captain of Bakersfield and South Carolina and an ECHL All-Star in 2010, was acquired by the Thunder from South Carolina on Jan. 25 in exchange for defenseman Cameron Brodie and future considerations. Following his arrival, Weller posted four multi point games and tied his career high with a four point outing on Mar. 10 vs. Ontario.

MAN ADVANTAGE

This season, the Thunder ranked fourth in the ECHL on power play (20.9%) percentage. Harrison Reed – who led the Thunder in scoring with 45 points in 46 games – earned 12 goals on the man advantage which finished fifth in the ECHL. Their best streak was nine straight games with a power play goal from Jan. 12 to Feb. 1.

OVERTIME HEROICS

The Thunder had won eleven consecutive playoff games in sudden death overtime until Game 3 of the Conference Finals and is 5-1 in playoff overtime this season. Since Matt Thomas took over as Thunder head coach in 2008-09, Stockton is 11-2 in sudden death overtime in the playoffs. The last Thunder win in sudden death overtime came in a 4-3 win in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Idaho Steelheads, with Andrew Clark scoring the game-winner.

RUNNING TO THE FINISH LINE

Dating back to Feb. 15, the Thunder completed a run to the regular season’s conclusion with a record of 13-6-0. They won their final four games of the regular season which was their longest winning streak since Oct. 20 to Nov. 4 (6-0-0). Seven wins during the final 19 games were decided by one goal.

OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN

Garet Hunt was named the sixth captain in Thunder history on Oct. 12, taking the “C” for the first time in his career for full-time duty. Hunt served as an alternate captain for the Thunder last season and has helped guide the team to the playoffs for four straight seasons since his 2008-09 rookie campaign. Hunt is the Thunder all-time leader with 314 games played.

STOCKTON, Calif. – Austin Fyten’s overtime goal with 1:41 left helped the Idaho Steelheads send the Stockton Thunder to a 2-1 OT defeat in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals in front of 3,198 fans at Stockton Arena in Wednesday.

Fyten’s goal broke Stockton’s 11-game overtime winning streak in the playoffs and dealt the Thunder its first overtime loss of these playoffs after starting 5-0.

“It’s like the first two games.” Thunder head coach Matt Thomas said, “Both teams played hard and both teams played well. They scored one more goal than we did tonight.”

STOCKTON VS. IDAHO – WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

(Stockton leads series, 2-1)

Game 1: Stockton 3 at Idaho 1

Game 2: Stockton 4 at Idaho 3 (OT)

Game 3: Idaho 2at Stockton 1 (OT)

Game 4: Idaho at Stockton – Friday, May 10 – 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 5: Idaho at Stockton – Saturday, May 11 – 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 6: Stockton at Idaho – Monday, May 13 – 6:10 p.m. (Century Link Arena) *

Game 7: Stockton at Idaho – Tuesday, May 14 – 6:10 p.m. (Century Link Arena) *

*If necessary

(all times listed PT)

“Everyone’s laying it out on the line tonight.” Thomas continued, “It was a good hockey game.”

Josh Robinson earned the win for Idaho with 41 stops, while Stockton’s Olivier Roy made 40 saves in net for the Thunder. Forward Eric Hunter scored the Thunder’s lone goal.

Olivier Roy made 40 saves for the Thunder on Wednesday. (photo by Asvitt Photography)

After a scoreless first period, which saw each team rack up 10 shots on goal, Andrew Carroll put the Steelheads on the board 11:11 into the second period. Carroll collected a pass from Austin Smith above the circles and beat Roy blocker side for a 1-0 Idaho lead.

Hunter evened things up 2:51 into the final frame. Forward Matt Reber picked up the puck along the right side and skated towards goal. His shot from the right post snuck through Robinson’s leg and right in front of the goal line, where Hunter poked it in to make it 1-1.

Both teams traded opportune scoring chances in overtime. With just over two minutes left in overtime, Reber was penalized for cross-checking. Seconds into the power play, Fyten snuck a shot from the left circle by Roy’s blocker side for the game-winner with 1:41 left in overtime.

“I thought we played hard.” said Thunder captain Garet Hunt. “We didn’t play our best game, obviously. We didn’t get the result we wanted. It’s just the way she goes sometimes.”

“We had our power play and didn’t get the job done.” Thomas said, “They had theirs and they got the job done. It’s that simple.”

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Ryan Constant and Cameron Abney…the Thunder and Steelheads each managed 42 shots on goal…the Thunder did not receive a penalty during the first period…Andrew Carroll’s goal gave Idaho its first lead of the series…Maxime Boisclair and Matt Bergland each had 7 shots on goal…the Thunder went 0-5 on the power play…the loss broke a streak of 11 straight playoff overtime wins for the Thunder, who absorbed their first OT loss in the playoffs since Game 4 of the 2009 second round series against Las Vegas.

The Thunder will look to rebound in Game 4, set for Friday at Stockton Arena at 7:30 p.m. (1360 AM KFIV/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. IDH – J. Robinson

2. IDH – A. Fyten

3. STK – O. Roy

RE: the last power play, when Idaho scored their goal

THOMAS: “We had our chance on the power play. I’m certainly not going to blame that on the officials, it wasn’t their fault. I didn’t see our penalty so I can’t comment on that. We had our power play in overtime and didn’t get the job done, and they had theirs and got the job done. It’s that simple. It’s like the first two games: both teams played hard, both teams played well. We’ve got to find a way to create more consistently, but everyone is laying it on the line. It was a good hockey game.”

RE: Both teams played at a pretty equal level. What was the difference for Idaho?

THOMAS: “Sometimes when you come back from being on the road and having all of these emotional wins like we’ve had…I thought we came out a little flat. I don’t think they came out much more intense than we did. You’ve got two teams that have been going to war for a month in the playoffs. If you looked at that game, it was all them and then all us. The shot clock showed that. Both teams had their pushes and both teams had their hanging-on moments in their own end. Our power play has just got to get the job done, it’s that simple. You get six in a game and you need at least one; they got three and they got one. It ends up being the difference. We had our chances, it just wasn’t our night tonight. But it’s only one game. The next one becomes a big one.”

RE: Nathan Deck’s first game back

THOMAS: “I thought Deck was good. He gave us everything that we would expect out of him. As a team, we eased into the game a little more than I would have liked us to. I don’t want to say that he eased into the game; I think he was good from the get-go. It’s nice to have a guy like that back. He gives you so much in different areas and I thought his first game was a good one.”

RE: How do you prepare for Friday?

THOMAS: “Same way we prepare for every game. For us, we want to create more offense on the power play. I don’t think there are any secrets out on how to do that. We know what we need to do there and it’s the same things we’ve been talking about all playoff long. You rest, you refocus and you come out with a chip on your shoulder, ready to go win a hockey game. The next game is always the biggest game.

We don’t like losing at home, just like they didn’t like losing at home. They came in here, they needed to win this game and they did a good job winning it. These ones, they’ve got to piss you off, for lack of a better term. You’ve got to have short-term memory and all that cliché stuff, but it better piss us off and make us that more hungry for Friday because we want to win the series. We need to win the next game. It should be something that’s truly motivating us just to come out with the best effort we’ve had all playoff long. That’s what I’ll be looking for.”

RE: Roy’s performance

THOMAS: “He was good. Both goalies were real good. If they gave you an opportunity to give you a look they took it away pretty quickly. There wasn’t a lot of opportunity to score goals around the cage. Both teams defended hard in front. It was a good playoff game. I don’t know if the intensity level was as big as you normally would find in the first period, but both teams really started to find their legs. The goaltenders gave both their teams a chance to win, and that’s all you’re asking for. Make the ones you’re supposed to make and give your team a chance and battle. I thought both guys were tremendous.”

STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder has advanced to the Conference Finals of the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the second time in four seasons and will face the #3 seed Idaho Steelheads in a best of seven series for the right to play in the Kelly Cup Finals, beginning with Game 1 on Friday, May 3 at 6:10 p.m. from Century Link Arena in Boise.

Ticket strip packages for the 2013 Thunder playoffs are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Stockton Thunder at209-373-1500. Priority seating is offered along with free 2013 playoff tickets by purchasing a brand new 2013-14 Thunder Season Ticket Package. Mini Plan ticket holders can buy discounted playoff strip packages for all three home playoff games with plans starting as low as $11 per seat per game. Current Thunder Season Ticket Holders will need to reserve their seats by contacting the Thunder Front Office at 209-373-1500, since Round 3 tickets are not included with their ticket package.

Stockton will host up to three games in the best of seven series beginning Wednesday, May 8 in Game 3 at Stockton Arena beginning at 7:00 p.m.

The Thunder, the #4 seed in the Western Conference, went 3-2-0 against Idaho in the head to head series this season and won three of four matchups at Stockton Arena. The series is a rematch of the 2010 Conference Finals, won by Idaho 4-2. The two teams also met in the 2007 in the Conference Quarterfinals and Idaho took the series in a 4-2 decision.

Stockton is looking to advance to the Kelly Cup Finals for the first time in club history. Idaho has advanced to the Cup Finals on three occasions (2004, 2007, 2010) and claimed two titles. Listed below is the head-to-head schedule, following a “2-3-2” format:

STOCKTON VS. IDAHO – WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

(all times listed PT)

Game 1: Stockton at Idaho – Friday, May 3 – 6:10 p.m. (Century Link Arena)

Game 2: Stockton at Idaho – Sunday, May 5 – 4:10 p.m. (Century Link Arena)

Game 3: Idaho at Stockton – Wednesday, May 8 – 7:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 4: Idaho at Stockton – Friday, May 10 – 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 5: Idaho at Stockton – Saturday, May 11 – 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *

Game 6: Stockton at Idaho – Monday, May 13 – 6:10 p.m. (Century Link Arena) *

Game 7: Stockton at Idaho – Tuesday, May 14 – 6:10 p.m. (Century Link Arena) *

*If necessary

Individual playoff tickets will be on sale tomorrow and can be purchased by visiting www.ticketmaster.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 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.

Photo credit: Asvitt Photography