The Stockton Thunder manage two beautiful goals from Adam Phillips and Klarc Wilson respectively, but cannot take advantage of their power-play chances as the Idaho Steelheads earn the win over the Thunder 6-2 Saturday night at CenturyLink Arena.
Lucas Gore made his professional debut, stopping 33 of 39 shots, while rookies Phillips, Wilson and Bryon Paulazzo all earned at least one point. Ultimately, though, a controversial goal call turned the tide at Century Link Arena in the defeat. The Thunder will finish up their season-high seven-game road trip in Ontario on Wednesday night as they look to end the trip on a positive note.
Official box score
1st Period
-No goals
-Shots: STK – 8 | IDH – 10
2nd Period
-IDH goal: F Alex Belzile (21) rebound off a backdoor kick save is decked around the goalie and into the net (Robinson, Boutin assists), 5:13 (PP)
-IDH goal: F Devin DiDiomete (2) player exiting the box receives an outlet pass on a breakaway and shoots it through the goalie’s five hole (Bast assist), 7:39
-THUNDER GOAL: D Adam Phillips (6) shot from the point is blasted high through traffic and past the goalie (Maxwell assist), 13:47 (PP)
-Shots: STK – 10 | IDH – 11
3rd Period
-IDH goal: F Rob Linsmayer (3) rebound off a blocked shot attempt is shot past the outstretched goalie (Robinson, MacLeod assists), 2:22
-IDH goal: F Gaelan Patterson (11) shot from the slot goes high glove past the goalie but television replays show that the puck hit the crossbar and never crossed the line (Bast, Robinson assists), 7:14*
-THUNDER GOAL: F Klarc Wilson (2) wraparound attempt goes across the goalmouth and is tapped in on the backdoor (Paulazzo, Phillips assists), 10:40
-IDH goal: F Brett Robinson (18) shot from the slot is blocked away, but right to the forwards tape who backhands it into the net (Linsmayer assist), 11:45
-IDH goal: F Wade MacLeod (27) shot from the doorstep is chipped over the goalie who was down on the ice (Belzile, Patterson assists), 17:13 (PP)
-Shots: STK – 8 | IDH – 18
*ECHL rules do not allow video replay. Officials can conference together or may radio in off-ice officials during a review.
W: Chris Rawlings (26 shots, 24 saves)
L: Lucas Gore (39 shots, 33 saves)
Notable Statistics
-Three Stars: 1- Brett Robinson (1 goal, 3 assists) 2- Rob Linsmayer (1 goal, 1 assist) 3- Alex Belzile (1 goal, 1 assist)
-Final Shots: STK – 25 | IDH – 39
-Power plays: STK – 1/7 | IDH – 2/5
-Adam Phillips (1 goal, 1 assist) now has at least one point in two-straight games
-Klarc Wilson scores his first goal in a Thunder sweater
-Lucas Gore stopped 33 shots in his professional debut, none better than a double pad-stack on an Alex Belzile breakaway after he emerged from the penalty box.
NEXT HOME GAME:
-Idaho Steelheads vs. STOCKTON THUNDER
Friday, March 13 @ Stockton Arena
Boy Scout Night
Doors open @ 6:30 p.m., Puck drops @ 7:30 p.m.
UPCOMING HOME GAMES:
-Idaho Steelheads vs. STOCKTON THUNDER
Saturday, March 14 @ Stockton Arena
Relay for Life & Thunder Bobblehead Giveaway
Doors open @ 6:30 p.m., Puck drops @ 7:30 p.m.