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Gameday Blog: Thunder Take on Alaska on Military Finale

October 25, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


The Thunder host the Alaska Aces with the team hoping to bounce back from Friday's loss to the Aces. The team's Military Appreciation Weekend concludes tonight with veterans, active duty, reserves and military families in the building.

Arena: Stockton Arena

Date: Saturday, October 25

Time: 7:30 p.m. (Doors at 6:30 p.m.)

Giveaway: Tan Military Appreciation Weekend t-shirt to the first 1,000 18-years-old and over

Broadcast: ECHL.TV and Spreaker beginning at 7:15 p.m.

This Year's Record: Stockton has gone 0-1-0 in against the Aces

Follow the Thunder Facebook Page for occasional updates or follow @StocktonThunder on Twitter for the play-by-play tweeting!

Last Time Out

The Thunder dominated the first 20 minutes of play against the Aces on Friday night as former Kelly Cup Champion and current Thunder forward Peter Sivak buried a goal just shy of five minutes into the contest, the first opening goal the Thunder have scored this season. Almost 10 minutes later, Adam Phillips blasted a shot past the blocker of Aces goalie Niklas Lundstrom to give the Thunder the 2-0 lead.

The Aces, who had yet to put one in the win column after raising their banner, came alive in the second period as the team from Anchorage sandwiched a James Henry goal with two tallies of their own. Tim Coffman's power play goal tied the game midway through the second while Greg Wolfe's first goal of the season put the Aces ahead late in the second.

Robin Soudek scored his third goal of the season to open up the third period bu 1:08 later, Ryan Tesink put the Aces up for good. Gregoire added the empty netter to beat the Thunder 6-4.

Tonight

With the monkey off of their back, it'll be interesting to see how the Aces are able to respond after their first win of the season. For the Thunder, it will be another early test as the team will have to show a high compete level in hopes of getting back over .500. We could see Shane Owen between the pipes for the Thunder tonight while it remains to be seen if Aces head coach Rob Murray will put Andy Iles in the Alaska net tonight. Iles came in to the Aces loss on Thursday to spell Niklas Lundstrom, but the Swedish netminder has played two straight games against the Condors and the Thunder.

Know the Enemy

The Aces come into the season with a very different roster than they did last season. The big three from last season, has been relegated to a big one, as former captain Nick Mazzolini left to play with Lowen Frankfurt of the DEL2 in Germany.

Peter Sivak makes his way back to Northern California as he currently is suiting up for the Thunder, leaving just Brendan Connolly on the roster of Alaska's big guns. Mazzolini ended up with 72 points while Sivak finished last season with 83 points and Connolly with 49.

Another difference will be between the pipes as longtime Aces goaltender Gerald Coleman retired, leaving the Aces pipes untended. Manning the crease is St. Louis Blues fifth round draft pick Niklas Lundstrom and free agent pickup Andy Iles.

Who to Watch

The line of Peter Sivak, James Henry and Robin Soudek has been outstanding for the Thunder. Not only is the trio on various streaks (Sivak - 4 game Point and Assist streak, Henry - 3 game Point and Assist streak, Soudek - 3 game Goal and Point streak) but a member of each line figured into all the offense last night against Alaska. Sivak scored the first goal and assisted on Henry's goal. Henry and Soudek got the puck to Adam Phillips for his goal while the Winnipeg native Henry assisted on Soudek's goal in the third.

"We're all putting the hard work in it and trying to do the right things," Soudek said. "When you have an experienced player like Peter [Sivak], it makes the younger guys try to step up our game and be on the same level he is. That's what seems to be putting us ahead of other teams and other lines that are playing against us."

If you want to watch early season chemistry, the entire line is worth watching against the Aces tonight.

Chasing History

Ryan Constant is definitely the man to watch tonight as the longtime Thunder defenseman is just one assist shy of tying Nathan Martz' team record of 97 career assists.

Constant had the primary assist on Ryan Hayes' season opening goal in the loss to the Condors last Friday and is awaiting his next assist to tie, and the following assist to rewrite history.

"It's definitely in the back of my mind but I'm not focused on it," Constant said. "I've had six great seasons here in Stockton and have to thank the organization for the opportunity to play here. All my coaches and teammates deserve the credit for it and I am definitely thankful for the fans who come out here and support us every night."

More Than a Game

Tonight's game is more than a game as the Thunder welcome in veterans, active duty, and reserve members of our nation's military during Military Appreciation Weekend.

"Those guys are our heroes so it's nice to have a weekend where we can recognize them and show our support," Adam Phillips said. "The crowd will be rocking so it will be easy to get up and play in front of the veterans and service members there."

A number of tributes will be on display for the true heroes tonight as the team and fans pay tribute to those who've been able to come home after serving our country, and honor those, and their families, who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

"My grandpa has some experience in the military back home in Canada," Shane Owen said. "It will mean a lot to play for those guys. They sacrifice their lives for our freedom and their our heroes so it's big deal for us to play in that environment."

The festivities will be kicked off by the gigantic flag held by all the guys at center ice and continue through our opening puck drop 95-year-old WWII veteran Walt Roth. Show your thanks for Walt's service by cheering wildly as he drops tonight's ceremonial opening draw.

A portion of event proceeds will be donated to the Welcome Home Heroes Foundation .

Military Jerseys and T-Shirts OH MY!

The Thunder will once again commemorate the occasion with special edition Military Jerseys designed by OT Sports, Bryan Boyes, and team employees. The jerseys are mostly black with camo inserts and a distressed version of our nations flag on the shoulder yoke.

Fans wishing to purchase a replica jersey may do so at the Stockton Fan Attic for $115. If you are hoping to commemorate the occasion a bit cheaper, be sure to check out the Fan Attic's special edition Military t-shirts (Shirt 1 and Shirt 2 ). Check out the shirts by clicking here! Both will be available while supplies last for $20, however if you are a Thunder Season Ticket Holder, both shirts are the Season Ticket Holder items of the night, meaning a $5 off discount ($15 price per shirt) if you chose to purchase.

Military Jerseys from Tyler Shattock, Jessey Astles, James Henry, Adam Phillips, Roberts Lipsbers, Michal Spacek, and a team signed Thunder jersey will be up for bid at the silent auction table on the Fan Deck. Landon Oslanski's jersey will be won by the lucky raffle winner as well.

The live auction, which begins after the game, will feature jerseys from Thor, Shawn Boutin, Lukas Sutter, Philippe Trudeau, Ryan Hayes, Loic Leduc, Shane Owen, Peter Sivak, Ryan Constant and Garet Hunt while Keith Seabrook's jersey will be available via an online auction set to begin on Monday.

Operation Troop Outreach Collecting

Operation Troop Outreach will once again have barrels in the North and South Entry collecting basic supplies to send overseas for our troops. The items collected will be shipped during the holiday season to service personnel as a token of our appreciation for their services during the holidays.

Items that make great donations include:

Hygiene Products:

Blistex/Chapstick

Dental Floss

Deodorant

Disposable Razors

Eye Drops/Saline Drops

Hand/Body Lotion (travel size)

Hand Sanitizer (travel size)

Kleenex (travel packs)

Body Soap (liquid only) (travel size)

Mouthwash (travel size)

Nail Clippers

Powder (baby, body, foot) (travel size)

Qtips

Shampoo/Conditioner (travel size)

Shaving Cream

Sun Block/Sunscreen (small sizes)

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Wet Wipes/Handy Wipes

Food/Drink:

BEEF Jerky

Individually Wrapped Candy (fun size)

Dried Fruit/Raisins (snack sizes)

Gum/Mints

Hot Cocoa (singles)

Nuts/Corn Nuts (snack sizes)

Pop Tarts

Granola/Power/Protein Bars

Pre-sweetened Drink Mix (singles)

Pumpkin/Sunflower seeds

Ramen Noodles (no cup o noodles)

Tea Bags (individually wrapped)

Trail Mix (snack size)

Miscellaneous:

Black Electrical Tape

Comics

Envelopes

Hand/Foot Warmers

Joke Books

Binder Paper

Pencils

Pens

Puzzle Books

Unused Christmas Cards

White Socks

Going Streaking

Peter Sivak is on a tied league best four-game point streak as the Cheb, Czech Republic native has found the back of the net twice while also chipping in 4 assists in his first four games with the Thunder.

His countryman from Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, Robin Soudek, is on a second best (league wide) three-game goal streak.

The Czech duo's centerman, James Henry, is also on a three-game point streak.

Quote

"We came out in the first strong. We were getting the pucks in deep like we talked about all week, but as the game went on we got away from it. We're successful when we get the puck below the goal line, get side-to-side movement and generate scoring chances." - Garet Hunt on what he saw tonight from an Assistant Coach perspective

"I think we're finding some combinations that are working for the most part. We're running a short bench right now so that makes it difficult, but it is what it is. Guys have to learn to play with new guys each time out, especially on defense. That's no excuse though. We have to be more consistent with our play." - Coach Kromm on building line combinations and being more consistent

"Peter is a good player, he has good hockey sense, and he makes it easier for his linemates to play the game right. I feel like he, Henry and I are clicking very well so far. I'm just trying to do my job, shoot the puck, and be a gritty player." - Robin Soudek on the early key

"No we don't have a "˜secret language' out there! You know it's easier to talk about plays in Czech, especially for Peter, so we talk on the bench and translate for Henry." - Robin Soudek if speaking Czech has helped with the early chemistry with Sivak

"I'm just focusing on every shift and not get too far ahead. I'm doing what Coach Kromm says, to shoot the puck and be a gritty guy and it's working so far. It's a confidence booster but I have to continue to do the right thing and maintain that streak." - Robin Soudek on how he can continue his early season success

"Alaska didn't have the same team as last year. Many guys are new so it didn't feel like I was playing my old team." - Peter Sivak on playing his former team

"Robin is a good young guy and we have chemistry together with Henry so we're playing well." - Peter Sivak on early chemistry with Soudek and Henry

"It was a nice pass up to me on the point and I just wanted to put it on net. I saw an opening on his blocker side and was able to put it in the net. It's a good feeling for sure, something I'll remember." - Phillips on his first professional career goal

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