STOCKTON — The Stockton Thunder used a three-goal first period to take an early lead and held on for a 5-3 win over the Alaska Aces in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals, taking a 2-1 series lead in front of 3,297 fans at Stockton Arena on Thursday.

Forward Matt Bergland led the Thunder with two goals and three total points. Forwards Andrew Clark and Maxime Boisclair each scored and had two point games, while forward Harrison Reed notched the other goal for the Thunder. Captain Garet Hunt and forward Ryan Hayes each tallied two assists.

Goaltender Olivier Roy stopped 29 shots in net. Alaska’s Gerald Coleman took the loss with 20 saves in relief of Mark Guggenberger, who made three stops on just seven shots before being pulled in the first period.