Bulls Drop Second Straight To Stockton: Game Recap
San Francisco Bulls v Stockton Thunder, February 17, 2013 – Photos Courtesy of Mike Tkacheff via SFBulls.com
The Bulls lose their second straight to the Thunder as they fall three to one. The Bulls would get a solid goalie performance from Thomas Heemskerk as he saved 26 of the 28 shots he faced on the afternoon giving his team a chance to win. His opposite Tyler Bunz was equally impressive as he stopped 26 shots as well, but only gave up a single goal to Jordan Morrison, whose goal pulled the Bulls to within one late in the game. The Thunder got two goals in the second period from Eric Hunter and Brandon Davidson. Ryan Constant would put this one away with an empty net goal. Both teams are now even at 5 wins apiece against each other with three games left in the season series.
First Period:
The first period was pretty evenly matched as the two teams were feeling out their opponent. We got an early answer to what will carry over from last night’s game as Kris Belan dropped the gloves with Ryan Green just under two minutes into the game. Both teams would not get many chances as they would combine for just 14 shots on goal. The Thunder would get nothing on their two power play chances, while the Bulls would squander their only chance on the man advantage during the period. The two teams were tied at seven shots after the first.
Second Period:
The Bulls fell behind again as the Thunder came out buzzing in the second period. Jordan Morrison and Teigan Zahn would take coincidental minor penalties that would put the teams at a four on four situation. Eric Hunter put away the rebound from Ryan Constant’s shot from the circle for his 17th goal on the season. The Bulls would get another power play chance midway through the period, but again Tyler Bunz would keep the Bulls scoreless. Mikael Tam and Maxime Boisclair would again put the teams at four on four late in third, but Jordan Morrison would take another penalty to put the Thunder on a four on three power play. The Thunder would extend their lead after a Brandon Davidson snap shot would beat Heemskerk for his third on the season. The Thunder out shot the Bulls 14 to 10 in the period.
Third Period:
The Bulls tried to mount a comeback as they controlled the flow of play for most of the period. Jordan Morrison would make amends for his two penalties that led to Thunder goals by netting his own at 9:11 in the third. He put away his own rebound for his 15th on the season, while Rob Kwiet and Mikael Tam would get the credit for the assists. The Bulls would get another chance immediately following their goal as Matt Bergland would be called for delay of game putting the Bulls on the power play with a chance to tie the game. The Bulls will continue its streak of ineffective play as they are unable to capitalize on any of their three chances in game. Ryan Constant would put the game away as he scored the empty net goal with under a minute left in the game. The Bulls out shot the Thunder 10 to seven in the third, but the Thunder out shot the Bulls 29 to 27 for the game.
The Bulls were much better defensively today as they held to Thunder to 2 goals with a late empty net goal. Heemskerk built upon his solid relief effort in the previous game by only giving up two goals with 26 saves. The Bulls’ offense again was non-existent as they scored a single goal after being shut out last night. The Bulls fall to 19-27-7 on the year, while the Thunder improve to 27-20-9. The Bulls will have several days to get it figured out as they do not play again until Friday as they kick off a six game road trip by heading to Boise to take on the Steelheads again.
Three Stars:
- Brandon Davidson – Stockton
- Tyler Bunz – Stockton
- Jordan Morrison – San Francisco