STOCKTON, Calif. – Yannick Tifu’s two unanswered goals helped send the Stockton Thunder to a 3-1 loss to the Reading Royals in Game 3 of the Kelly Cup Finals in front of 4,379 fans at Stockton Arena on Tuesday.

The Thunder, who leads the playoffs with four comeback wins when trailing in the third period, now faces a 3-0 series deficit and must complete the greatest comeback of all to win the championship.

“You’ve got to believe.” Thunder head coach Matt Thomas said, “The worst thing you can do in these situations is start doubting yourself. We played a good game. We gave their top line two easy looks and they buried them. We didn’t capitalize on our chances.”

STOCKTON VS. READING – KELLY CUP FINALS

(Reading leads, 3-0)

Game 1: Stockton 5 at Reading 6 (OT)

Game 2: Stockton 0 at Reading 4

Game 3: Reading 3 at Stockton 1

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

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

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

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

*If necessary

(all times listed PT)

Forward Harrison Reed netted the Thunder’s lone goal on the night. Reading’s Riley Gill took the win with a 28 save performance, while Olivier Roy made 20 stops for Stockton. Kirk McDonald sealed the game with an empty net goal with 6.6 seconds left.

The Thunder jumped on the board during four-on-four play when defenseman Mike Little poked the puck past the blue line to Reed on a breakaway. Reed beat Gill on the one-on-one with a backhand deke to electrify the crowd and give the Thunder its first lead since Game 1 at 1-0, just 8:33 into the opening frame.

Harrison Reed (19, black) celebrates after scoring the opening goal. (photo by Asvitt Photography)

Reading erased Stockton’s lead a few minutes later when the Royals converted on a two-on-one. From the right side of the rush, T.J. Syner passed across the face of goal to a waiting Tifu, who sent the puck top shelf to make it 1-1 at the 11:18 mark.

Looking to pick up the tempo in the second period, the Thunder pressured the Reading net, outshooting the Royals 13-6. However, neither team was able to break the tie in the middle frame.

The Royals provided an exact replica of their first goal 7:56 into the third period. Skating on a breakaway on the right side, Syner found Tifu at the right post, where Tifu one-timed the puck by Roy for a 2-1 Reading lead.

Following a solid minute in the Reading zone on a flurry of Thunder scoring chances – including a good look on a Mike Little one timer at the left circle – MacDonald converted on the empty netter from the red line to seal the deal for Reading.

“I think we have to do a lot of the same things we have been doing, but just tighten up defensively.” Reed said, “We have to do all the small things, like chipping pucks in, winning puck battles down low. It’s going to be a lot of work, but I believe we have it in us to do it.”

The only time in ECHL history that a team came back from a 3-0 deficit to win the series 4-3 was the Cincinnati Cyclones, who did so against Reading in the 2010 Conference Finals.

“It’s been done before,” said Thomas. “If there’s anyone that can come back from a 3-0 deficit, I believe it’s us. That’s the way we’ve got to approach it.”

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Ryan Constant and Cameron Abney…Stockton mayor Anthony Silva spoke to the crowd before player introductions…this was the first Kelly Cup Finals game to be played in the state of California…the Thunder outshot the Royals 29-23…the Thunder went 0-4 on the power play…this was the third time the Thunder had given up three unanswered goals at Stockton Arena this postseason…the Thunder is now 5-9 lifetime in Game 3 scenarios, with the last win coming in the Western Conference Semifinals, 3-1 over the Alaska Aces at Stockton Arena this postseason.

The Thunder will look to keep its season alive in Game 4, with puck drop 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. REA – Y. Tifu

2. REA – R. Gill

3. STK – H. Reed

RE: What’s the first thing you said to the guys after the game?

THOMAS: “You’ve got to believe. The worst thing you can do when you get in this situation is start doubting yourself. We played a good game. We gave their top line two easy looks and they buried them and we didn’t capitalize on our chances. You’ve got to believe. It’s happened before enough times, and if there’s anyone who can come back from a 3-0 deficit I believe it’s us. That’s the way we’ve got to approach it.”

RE: Reading’s goals were almost identical.

THOMAS: “Identical. You can’t give their top line two two-on-ones like we did. Bad mistakes on our part. We had our chances the other way, but we didn’t score and they did. That’s what the game came down to: one more mistake. It’s frustrating because I thought we played well, but I think we can play better. I know we can play better. We’ve just got to do it; we’ve got to believe in it. You can’t get to the finals and just play okay, and we’ve just played okay so far.

RE: Did Roy have a better game today?

THOMAS: “We’ve hung him out to dry on a lot of goals in all three games. He needs to be better than the guy down at the other end—that goes for every single guy out on the ice. You’ve got to be better than the guy you’re facing off against, and that includes Olivier and all the way through. That includes me. I won’t make the same mistakes come Friday, that’s for sure.”

RE: Did it seem like you had a little trouble with stick handling tonight?

THOMAS: “We haven’t been as sharp as we’ve wanted to be. We were better tonight than we were on Sunday, if you can believe that. You need to execute this time of year. You need the best players to be your best players. You need your hardest working players to be the hardest working guys on the ice. You need your most physical players to be the most physical guys on the ice. I thought we were a physical team tonight, but the reality is our best players weren’t our best players. We really only had one line that was really going. I thought Harrison Reed was great. I thought his line really played hard. Everybody played hard, but the only line that I really felt was clicking was that line. You’ve got to learn to fight through that type of stuff. We’ve got to inspire each other with the way we work, the plays we make, the mistakes we don’t make. A lot of times it comes down to not making mistakes this time of year.”

KELLY CUP PLAYOFFS – KELLY CUP FINALS

GAME: Stockton Thunder vs. Reading Royals

DATE: Tuesday, May 21, 2013

TIME: 7:00 p.m.

SITE: Stockton Arena

RADIO: 1280 AM KWSX/StocktonThunder.com (America One)/92.5 FM (in arena feed)

NHL AFFILIATES

Stockton Thunder: Edmonton Oilers

Reading Royals: Washington Capitals

TICKETS: Click here

VIDEO: Mike Little morning skate interview at Stockton Arena

NEXT HOME GAME

Friday, May 24 vs. Reading Royals (7:30 p.m.)

GAME 4 – KELLY CUP FINALS

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP

It’s a piece of hockey history. The Thunder battles the Reading Royals in Game 3 of the Kelly Cup Finals in the first ever ECHL Finals game to be played in the state of California. The Thunder aims to cut Reading’s 2-0 series lead in half and is 8-2 at home in the postseason. The Thunder previously defeated Idaho, 4-1 in the Western Conference Final. The first seed Royals, who are also playing in their first Kelly Cup Finals, dispatched the eighth seed Greenville Road Warriors and the fourth seed Florida Everblades (the defending champs) before eliminating the second seed Cincinnati Cyclones in five games in the conference finals.

STOCKTON vs. READING – KELLY CUP FINALS

(Reading leads, 2-0)

Game 1: Stockton 5 at Reading 6 (OT)

Game 2: Stockton 0 at Reading 4

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

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

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

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

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

*If necessary

(all times listed PT)

NOTE OF THE NIGHT

The Thunder is 5-8 lifetime in Game 3 scenarios in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. They last won, 5-3 against Alaska in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinal this season.

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 (24 points) and assists (15) in 20 games. His 24 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.

PLAYOFF MATT-STER

Thunder head coach Matt Thomas enters the Kelly Cup Finals third in ECHL postseason history with 48 wins. He won a Kelly Cup title with Atlantic City in 2003 as assistant coach. This is Thomas’ second appearance in the Finals and first trip to Reading since the 2009 ECHL All-Star Game when he served as a coach.

ROY’S RUN

Goaltender Olivier Roy – selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the fifth round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft – has won eight of the last 12 postseason appearances and has broken numerous Thunder goaltending postseason records, including appearances (20), minutes (1192), wins (12) and saves (579). He is 7-2 lifetime with the Thunder in playoff overtime.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

The Thunder and Royals tied a Kelly Cup Finals record for most goals in one period (six in the third period of game one), shared with Mississippi and Richmond (game six – 1999).

COUNT ON CLARK

Andrew Clark is tied for second in ECHL playoff scoring with 21 points in 19 games, leading all league rookies in playoff scoring as well. Four of his seven 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.

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 COMEBACK KIDS – IN ONE PARAGRAPH

The Thunder leads the ECHL with four wins when trailing after two periods in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Stockton also leads the ECHL with 26 goals in the third period. The last time the Thunder came from behind in the third period and won was in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinal in a 4-3 overtime win, eliminating the Alaska Aces at Sullivan Arena. In a seven game victory over Las Vegas in the first round, the Thunder rallied for two wins (Game 1 and Game 6) when trailing by two goals or more.

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 5-2 in playoff overtime this season, tying the ECHL single season playoff record for most overtime wins. 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.

]]> http://www.stocktonthunder.com/2013/05/21/preview-history-lesson/feed/ 0 http://www.stocktonthunder.com/2013/05/20/experience-history-in-the-making/ http://www.stocktonthunder.com/2013/05/20/experience-history-in-the-making/#comments Mon, 20 May 2013 15:00:55 +0000 Stockton Thunder Staff http://www.stocktonthunder.com/?p=17478 The Kelly Cup Finals descend on California for the first time. Want to be a part of history? Get ahead of the ticket line with a new, affordable Season Ticket or Mini Plan package for 2013-14.

VIDEO: Believe it. The Kelly Cup Finals are here.

Championship hockey is coming to Stockton Arena.

Will you be here?

For the first time in ECHL existence, the Kelly Cup Finals will descend on the state of California. If you haven’t bought in yet, now is your chance to be a part of history in the making.

Starting this week, the Thunder will offer FREE KELLY CUP FINALS TICKETS to anyone purchasing a brand new Thunder 2013-14 Season Ticket package or a FREE TICKET to a home game in the Kelly Cup Finals with purchase of a brand new 2013-14 Mini Plan package.

SEASON TICKETS: Season tickets start at just $375 for the entire season (36 games), offering deep discounts over single game ticket prices plus many exclusive benefits and the ability to exchange tickets not used for other games. You also get V.I.P. privileges, free playoff tickets to the next season’s first two rounds, an exclusive gift just for Season Ticket Holders, the best seats in the house and much more.

MINI-PLANS: For those working on a budget, tighter schedule, and/or don’t want the hassle of walking up to buy tickets each night. You get 6-13 Thunder home games (your choice), starting at $58 for the entire season. You also get select invites to meet-the-team events, first right of refusal on discounted playoff tickets and more.

Payment plans are available.

Still not convinced? Check out the links for Season Tickets or Mini Plans.

Still not convinced further? Call us at (209) 373-1500.

]]> http://www.stocktonthunder.com/2013/05/20/experience-history-in-the-making/feed/ 0 http://www.stocktonthunder.com/2013/05/19/recap-down-not-out/ http://www.stocktonthunder.com/2013/05/19/recap-down-not-out/#comments Mon, 20 May 2013 02:51:38 +0000 Stockton Thunder Staff http://www.stocktonthunder.com/?p=17602 The Thunder found ways to get out of an early deficit but fell short of finishing and face a 2-0 deficit, heading home in the Kelly Cup Finals after a 4-0 loss at Reading.

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Gill’s 27 saves has Thunder in rally situation, 2-0 deficit in Kelly Cup Finals after 4-0 loss

FINAL STATS: Box score

AUDIO: Game highlights – Thunder Replay

VIDEO: Postgame comments – Matt Thomas

VIDEO: Game 2 highlights in Reading

READING, Pa. – Riley Gill’s 27 save shutout and Evan Barlow’s goal and assist were enough to help the Reading Royals send the Stockton Thunder to a 4-0 defeat in Game 2 of the Kelly Cup Finals before 4,693 fans at Sovereign Center on Sunday.

The Thunder, playing in its second road game in less than 24 hours, suffered their first shutout loss in the playoffs since Game 5 of the opening round at Las Vegas. Reading scored three times in the first period and the Thunder went 0-of-3 on the power play.

The series now shifts to Stockton Arena, where the Thunder is 8-2 at home in the postseason.

STOCKTON VS. READING – KELLY CUP FINALS

(Reading leads, 2-0)

Game 1: Stockton 5 at Reading 6 (OT)

Game 2: Stockton 0 at Reading 4

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

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

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

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

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

*If necessary

(all times listed PT)

Olivier Roy made 23 saves in the first two periods and had a highlight reel stop on Yannick Tifu in the second period.

“I thought we played and executed better tonight in the first period but didn’t finish,” said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. “Down 2-0, we still felt pretty good about ourselves. [The third goal] was the difference. We had a lot of clock left but a big mountain to climb. We feel very confident that we can win every game we play. Going home is going to give us more confidence.”

Just like in Game 1, the Thunder earned a chance to strike with an early goal but squandered it after the Royals killed off Gill’s delay of game penalty for flipping the puck over the glass in Reading’s zone.

Alex Berry put the Royals up 1-0 at 8:32 when he converted Barlow’s feed to the goal mouth while in transition. Brett Flemming followed with a blast through traffic, from the blueline, expanding the Reading bulge to 2-0 with 6:27 left after the Thunder fell short of clearing the puck twice in the defensive zone.

Thunder defenseman Nathan Deck then was whistled for a roughing penalty while tussling with T.J. Syner in the Thunder zone. With only a second to spare on the penalty, Reading went up 3-0 with 1:37 left on Syner’s deflection at the goal mouth, following a wrist shot by Brock Shelgren at the left circle.

The Thunder followed up with several scoring opportunities to get back in the game and also needed a highlight reel, sprawling save by Olivier Roy in the second period to keep the comeback alive. He stopped Yannick Tifu’s rebound by desperately reaching out with his stick and getting a piece of the puck at the left post.

Reading survived Stockton’s wave of offensive chances and capitalized on Barlow’s sixth goal of the postseason with 4:49 left in the period when he collected a rebound at the bottom of the right circle and deflected a sharp angled shot through Roy’s pads.

Roy, who was 10-5 in 15 straight playoff appearances and saw 49 shots last night, was replaced by Tyler Bunz in the third period.

Bunz collected seven saves to close the game.

“It’s a race to four,” said Thomas. “They have a head start but that doesn’t concern us. What concerns us is playing to our potential and getting the job done. It’ll be great to get a big crowd at home, make it an intimidating place for them and an exciting place for us. We have to come out and play with the confidence and swagger you need at home this time of year.”

NOTES: The Thunder scratched Ryan Constant and Cameron Abney…Reading had the lead in shots at 34-27 … the loss broke a six game win streak the Thunder held in Game 2 scenarios (9-5 lifetime) … the last time Stockton trailed 2-0 in a series was in the 2010 Conference Finals against Idaho and they answered with back to back wins at home.

The series shifts to Stockton Arena for the first ever Kelly Cup Finals game in California, starting Tuesday for Game 3 at 7:00 p.m. (1280 AM 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. REA – R. Gill

2. REA – A. Berry

3. REA – B. Flemming

]]> http://www.stocktonthunder.com/2013/05/19/recap-down-not-out/feed/ 0

KELLY CUP PLAYOFFS – KELLY CUP FINALS

GAME: Stockton Thunder at Reading Royals

DATE: Sunday, May 19, 2013

TIME: 1:05 p.m.

SITE: Sovereign Center

RADIO: 1360 AM KFIV/StocktonThunder.com (America One)

NHL AFFILIATES

Stockton Thunder: Edmonton Oilers

Reading Royals: Washington Capitals

WATCH PARTY: Come party for Game 1 at the King’s Room of Stockton Arena

VIDEO: Game day comments from Reading – Deck, Reber

NEXT HOME GAME

Tuesday, May 21 vs. Reading Royals (7:00 p.m.)

GAME 3 – KELLY CUP FINAL

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP

The Thunder meets the Reading Royals in Game 2 of the Kelly Cup Finals at Sovereign Center. Stockton, the fourth seed in the Western Conference, reached the championship series by downing the fifth seed Las Vegas Wranglers and first seed Alaska Aces before taking out the third seed Idaho Steelheads in five games to win the West. The first seed Royals, who are also playing in their first Kelly Cup Finals, dispatched the eighth seed Greenville Road Warriors and the fourth seed Florida Everblades (the defending champs) before eliminating the second seed Cincinnati Cyclones in five games in the conference finals.

STOCKTON vs. READING – KELLY CUP FINALS

(Reading leads, 1-0)

Stockton 5 at Reading 6 (OT)

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

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

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

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

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

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

*If necessary

(all times listed PT)