THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT: (all times PT)vs. Victoria Salmon Kings
Friday, Saturday (7:30 p.m.), Sunday (4:00 p.m.)
Radio: 1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com
With six games remaining in the regular season and four at Stockton Arena, the first place Thunder continue its quest for a Pacific Division title with a three-game home series against the Victoria Salmon Kings. The Thunder is 7-3-0 this season in Victoria and is 6-3-1 at home in the series, dating back to 2009-10. The Thunder is 25-23-5 lifetime against Victoria and the last time both teams met, the Thunder defeated the Salmon Kings, 4-0 at Stockton Arena on Feb. 20. The Thunder will also kick off its environmental promotion, "Easy Being Green," for two games on Friday and Saturday.
The Thunder and Fat's Grill and Bar have partnered for this season for "Thunder Watch Party" nights (shown through AmericaOne) during all Thunder road games. Fans attending will have an opportunity to win prizes, enjoy drink specials and participate in a festive atmosphere while cheering on the Thunder. It is located at 4555 North Pershing Avenue in Stockton and just minutes away from Stockton Arena. Fat's Grill and Bar is a three-time "Best of San Joaquin" Award winner in The Record and features 15 television monitors and four satellite dishes, an array of acclaimed entrees, pizzas, beverages, appetizers, specialties and more.
PROMOTIONAL NEWS AND APPEARANCES
Thursday, March 23 - 6:00 p.m.
Thunder 2nd Annual "Texas Hold ‘Em" Poker Tournament - Stockton Arena
Thunder players will mingle and compete with fans in the Comcast Club of Stockton Arena for a special night of Texas Hold ‘Em, with fabulous prizes in store!
Friday, March 24 vs. Victoria Salmon Kings, 7:30 p.m.
THUNDER'S "EASY BEING GREEN" presented by California Water Service Company and co-sponsored by The Surtec System, ChemStation of Northern California, ServiceMASTER Clean and Port of Stockton California
- A night to salute community and hockey involvement in an eco-friendly campaign, fans can visit a "Green Fair" during the weekend and fans of all ages can take home free giveaway items, including eco-friendly rally towels, tree saplings or plants, kids activity books and more!
METRO PCS FREE FRIDAY
- One lucky section at the game will receive a free gift courtesy of MetroPCS and all fans are invited to stop by MetroPCS's booth at Stockton Arena to win a free phone and service for one whole year!
Saturday, March 25 vs. Victoria Salmon Kings, 7:30 p.m.
THUNDER'S "EASY BEING GREEN" presented by California Water Service Company and co-sponsored by The Surtec System, ChemStation of Northern California, ServiceMASTER Clean and Port of Stockton California
- A night to salute community and hockey involvement in an eco-friendly campaign, fans can visit a "Green Fair" during the weekend and fans of all ages can take home free giveaway items, including eco-friendly rally towels, tree saplings or plants, kids activity books and more!
Sunday, March 26 vs. Victoria Salmon Kings, 4:00 p.m.
FAN APPRECIATION DAY
- The Thunder salute their loyal fans for two games by offering merchandise specials, San Jose Sharks merchandise contests, prizes and more!
FAMILY DAY presented by 99.3 KJOY
- Bring the whole family out for just $34 - includes 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 soft drinks and a $4 merchandise coupon at the Thunder "Fan Attic"! Purchase at www.StocktonThunder.com ( http://www.stocktonthunder.com/ ).
TEAM LEADERS:
Points - Fraser Clair (51)
Goals - Chris Lawrence (21)
Assists - Fraser Clair (31)
Plus/Minus - Chris Lawrence (+16)
Penalty Minutes - Garet Hunt (201) - Leads ECHL
UPCOMING MILESTONES:
* Fraser Clair is 10 games away from 300 in his ECHL career
* Kelly Czuy is 1 point away from 100 in his ECHL career
* Jim McKenzie is 7 points away from 100 in his professional career
TEAM NOTES
· Ryan Constant is tied for seventh among ECHL defensemen with 33 points (11g-22a)
· Tyson Sexsmith is 3-0-0 since returning from the AHL
· Garet Hunt leads ECHL with 201 penalty minutes
- Stockton is second in the ECHL in attendance with 201, 636 fans (6,301 average) and drew over 20,000 fans for three home games Friday, Saturday and Sunday vs. Idaho
- Stockton leads the ECHL with 102 major penalties
- Stockton is tied for fourth in the ECHL with 17 road victories, tying a club record (2006-07)
The team's upcoming schedule for the coming week is as follows:
(subject to change, all times PT)
Tuesday, MAR. 22
Day off
Wednesday, MAR. 23
10:00 a.m. - Practice at Oak Park Ice Arena
Thursday, MAR. 24
10:00 a.m. - Practice at Stockton Arena
Friday, MAR. 25
10:00 a.m. - Morning skate at Stockton Arena
6:00 p.m. - Pre-game media access ends
7:30 p.m. - GAME vs. VICTORIA
1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com
Saturday, MAR. 26
10:00 a.m. - Morning skate at Stockton Arena
6:00 p.m. - Pre-game media access ends
7:30 p.m. - GAME vs. VICTORIA
1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com
Sunday, MAR. 27
No morning skate
2:30 p.m. - Pre-game media access ends
4:00 p.m. - GAME vs. VICTORIA
1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com
Monday, MAR. 28
Day off
WEEK IN REVIEW
STK 4 - IDA 0 (3/20/11): Tyson Sexsmith's 29 save performance earned his first shutout of the season, and goals from four different players propelled the Stockton Thunder (34-22-10, 78 points) past the Idaho Steelheads, 4-0, in front of a home crowd of 5,339 fans on Sunday at Stockton Arena. The victory put the Thunder in first place in the Pacific division with 78 points and six games remaining, as well as capped off a strong three-game weekend against Idaho, in which Stockton won all three games. Garet Hunt, Jason Pitton, and Jordan Fulton all chipped in a goal each, while Jordan Foreman contributed a goal and an assist. With four minutes remaining in the game, Sexsmith thwarted the Steelhead's last-ditch barrage of scoring attempts during a Thunder penalty kill.
STK 5 - IDA 1 (3/19/11): Jordan Foreman and Fraser Clair each scored one goal and added an assist, leading the Stockton Thunder (33-22-10, 76 points) as they defeated the Idaho Steelheads 5-1, in front of a sellout home crowd of 9,396 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday. The win put the Thunder into second place in the Pacific Division, one point behind first place Bakersfield. Jordan Fulton, Garet Hunt and Jim McKenzie also chipped in with a goal while goaltender Tyson Sexsmith made 23 saves. A unique blend of hockey and movie enthusiasts enjoyed the game as part of a special "Star Wars Night," where characters from the famous movie trilogy and prequel were incorporated into the in-game entertainment.
STK 3 - IDA 2 (SO) (3/18/11): Goaltender Tyson Sexsmith stood tall during a solid 65 minutes of play with a 29-save performance, while Fraser Clair notched the game-winning shootout goal as the Stockton Thunder (32-22-10, 74 points) defeated the Idaho Steelheads 3-2 in a shootout, in front of a home crowd of 5,484 fans Friday night at Stockton Arena. The win lifted the Thunder to one point behind a tie for first place in the tight Pacific Division, shared by Las Vegas and Bakersfield. Ryan Constant and Jim McKenzie scored both goals for the Thunder in regulation.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
(Courtesy of The Record)
"Anytime you get a chance at first place in your division and getting a banner in your rink, that's a good sign," Sexsmith said. "The team is playing well, and we just have to keep it going from here."
- Goaltender Tyson Sexsmith after the Thunder defeated Idaho, 4-0 at Stockton Arena on Sunday (Mar. 21, 2011)
"I think you have a goaltender who is going to deflect a lot of the accolades to the guys playing in front of him," Thomas said. "But we all know there was a penalty shot and a few point-blank shots that he was right there to stop. He was a difference-maker all weekend."
- Head coach Matt Thomas on Sexsmith (Mar. 21, 2011)
"They love hockey," Kellman said of her animals. "If they had (events like) this every day or every week, I would come and bring my dogs."
- Kathy Kellman of Stockton, during Sunday's "Pucks and Paws" game at Stockton Arena (Mar. 21, 2011)
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