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Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Ontario Reign

October 22, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


The Stockton Thunder searches for its first win of the season beginning Friday at Stockton Arena, facing the Ontario Reign in a "home-and-home" two game series. The Thunder is 0-1-1 against Ontario this season in the last meeting, the Thunder was defeated by Ontario in overtime, 5-4 on Saturday at Stockton Arena. Through 21 regular season games in the all-time series, the Thunder is 11-9-2 against Ontario. Stockton has combined for seven goals in the first two games, led by Fraser Clair (3). Both teams will play on Saturday at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario's home opener.

LAST TWO GAMES:

ONT 5 - STK 4 (OT) (10/16/10): Chaz Johnson's snap shot goal with 1:07 remaining in sudden death overtime capped a stunning comeback by the Ontario Reign, who edged the Stockton Thunder (0-1-1, 1 point) in sudden death overtime, 5-4 before 5,769 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday night. The Thunder, who gained its first point of the season by forcing overtime with the help of Chris D'Alvise's two assists, had a pair of two goal leads disappear despite a 13-3 edge in shots on goal early in the game. Jeff Corey also chipped in for Ontario with a goal and an assist.

ONT 6 - STK 3 (10/15/10): Kellen Briggs made 24 saves and the Ontario Reign led wire-to-wire, capitalizing off five unanswered goals to send the Stockton Thunder to a 6-3 defeat on Opening Night, before 6,117 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday night. The Thunder, who were led offensively by Fraser Clair with three points (2g-1a), dropped its fourth straight season opening defeat. Ontario's Tim Kraus, Jordan Morrison and rookie Aaron Lewadniuk each chipped in with two points.

SEASON SERIES (Thunder trails, 0-1-1)

Fri. Oct. 15 Ontario 6 at Stockton 3

Sat. Oct. 16 Ontario 5 at Stockton 4 (OT)

Fri. Oct. 22 Ontario 7:30 p.m.

Sat. Oct. 23 at Ontario 7:00 p.m.

Fri. Jan. 21 Ontario 7:30 p.m.

Sat. Jan. 22 Ontario 7:30 p.m.

Sun. Jan. 23 at Ontario 5:00 p.m.

Wed. Feb. 9 at Ontario 7:00 p.m.

Wed. Feb. 16 at Ontario 7:00 p.m.

Sun. Feb. 27 at Ontario 5:00 p.m.

UPCOMING MILESTONES

Chris Lawrence is 15 games away from 200 in his professional career

Scott Howes is 8 games away from 100 in his professional career

Aaron Clarke is 7 games away from 200 in his professional career

THUNDER CROWDS ROLL IN

An exclusive club, the Thunder averaged over 6,000 fans per game and drew over 200,000 fans at the gate for the fifth straight year in 2009-10. The Thunder drew 217,098 fans (6,031 average) in 36 regular season games at Stockton Arena and ranked third overall this season in ECHL attendance, only surpassed by the second-year Ontario Reign (led ECHL with 232,223 fans) and the first-year Toledo Walleye (second with 226,575 fans). The Thunder has drawn 14 sellouts in the team's franchise history, welcomed its one millionth fan last season along with a draw of five crowds of 8,000 fans or more.

TOP FIVE HOME CROWDS IN 2009-10OPPONENT DATE ATTENDANCE

1. Alaska 11/7/09 9,392*

2. Victoria 1/30/10 9,158

3. Utah 3/20/10 8,518

4. Las Vegas 3/27/10 8,053

5. Victoria 3/6/10 8,042

* Denotes sellout

HAIL TO THE CHIEF

Thunder head coach Matt Thomas is the third winningest coach in the last decade in the ECHL (among active coaches), entering the year with a lifetime .606 win percentage (234-143-54 record) in six seasons as a head coach for Stockton, Fresno and Atlantic City. Thomas also has never missed the playoffs, won a Kelly Cup championship in 2002-03 as an assistant coach with Atlantic City, has been named coach for the ECHL All-Star Game twice (2005, 2009) and has been behind the bench in a coaching role for teams that advanced to the Conference Finals three times.

ALL-TIME WINS, REGULAR SEASON (2000-2010)

COAC H WINS

1. Jeff Pyle (Gwinnett, Mobile) * 346

2. Malcolm Cameron (four teams) * 296

3. Davis Payne (Alaska, Pee-Dee) 289

4. Glen Gulutzan (Las Vegas) 254

5. Matt Thomas (Stockton, Fre, A.C.) * 234

* Currently ECHL active

THIS IS THUNDER/SHARKS TERRITORY

This summer saw the Stockton Thunder announce an affiliation partnership in conjunction with the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League. The Thunder, who is a dual affiliate of San Jose and the Edmonton Oilers, are separated by only 80 miles of geographic distance from San Jose. As hockey neighbors, both clubs also share similar honors in sports and entertainment. The Thunder is a two-time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," and the Sharks recently finished as the 12th best overall franchise in ESPN's "Ultimate Standings," ranking all major sports franchises accord ing to how much they give back to fans for all of time, money and emotion invested by each fan (conducted by ESPN: The Magazine). Both Stockton and San Jose advanced to their respective league's Conference Final playoff round last season.

OILING UP THE SHIP AGAIN

The Thunder and Edmonton Oilers renewed an affiliation partnership for the fifth consecutive season, continuing a pipeline to the NHL that has seen seven former members of the Thunder make their NHL debut since beginning in the Oilers farm system. Right wing Troy Bodie, goaltender Devan Dubnyk, right wing Colin McDonald, center Ryan O'Marra, center Tim Sestito, left wing Liam Reddox and defenseman Bryan Young - have gone on to play in the NHL. The Oilers, a member of the NHL's Western Conference and Northwest Division, have been a member of the National Hockey League since the 1979-80 season and have captured five Stanley Cup championships.

ROSTER SERVES A TALL ORDER

As of Friday morning, ten players on the Thunder active roster measure at 6-foot-1 or taller: Anthony Aiello (6-1), Cameron Brodie (6-1), Jesse Gimblett (6-3), Matt Jones (6-4), Chris Lawrence (6-4), Jim McKenzie(6-2), Jason Pitton (6-2), Chase Ryan (6-2), Steve Vanoosten (6-1) andCraig Valette (6-1).

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