2nd Place Thunder On 7-2-2 Streak, Home Friday

Published on February 8, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT: (all times PT)

Ontario Reign (Home - Friday, 7:30 p.m. and Road - Saturday, 7:00 p.m.) - B2 Networks

The Thunder returns home for the only home game of the month of February on Friday, hosting the Ontario Reign in the ninth meeting of the season between both teams. Following up Friday's game will be a Saturday contest at Citizens Business Bank Arena, the season finale of the head-to-head series. The Thunder enters the week second place in the Pacific Division (fifth, National Conference), seven points behind the first place Bakersfield Condors after a 4-1-1 streak in the last six games. The Thunder is 5-3-0 this season against the Reign and in the last meeting, Ontario defeated the Thunder, 5-3 at Citizens Business Bank Arena last Saturday. Through the first 18 regular season games in the all-time series, the Thunder is 9-8-1 against Ontario.

1420 KSTN is the Thunder's flagship radio station on the road this year and all Thunder games can be heard live on the Internet (free-of-charge) and are available for viewing at a $7 "pay-per-view" charge at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks. Radio broadcaster Mike Benton provides play-by-play commentary with the "Thunder Forecast" pre-game show starting 15 minutes before each broadcast.

PROMOTIONAL NEWS

Friday, Feb. 12 vs. Ontario Reign, 7:30 p.m.

CAP GIVEAWAY (presented by Jackson Rancheria, Comcast and 104.1 The Hawk)

- The first 1,000 fans (ages 18 and over) in attendance will receive a commemorative Thunder cap!

Wednesday, March 3 vs. Victoria Salmon Kings, 7:00 p.m.

FAMILY NIGHT (99.3 KJOY and Metro PCS)

- $29 upper premium / end zone admission (four tickets, four hot dogs, four soft drinks, coupon for $4 dollars off the Fan Attic) with coupon available by visiting participating MetroPCS locations. An $84 value.

COMMUNITY UPDATE

"Teddy Bear Toss" Count - United Way of San Joaquin County

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 - 10:30 a.m.

Thunder fans donated thousands of teddy bears and other new/gently used stuffed animals at the fifth annual "Teddy Bear Toss" game on Jan. 30 against Victoria - every stuffed animal will be sorted and counted with the help of select Thunder players and staff from the United Way of San Joaquin County.

"Texas Hold 'Em" Poker Tournament - Stockton Arena

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 - 6:00 p.m.

Thunder players and fans will mingle up in the Comcast Club for the first annual Thunder "Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament" at Stockton Arena, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Select proceeds from each entry fee will benefit the Stockton Thunder and Lightning Foundation and prizes to the remaining nine players include a team autographed jersey, pre-game "meet-and-greet," and a zamboni ride during a Thunder game, and more!

D.J. Walker in the Morning - KAT Country 103

Friday, February 12, 2010 - 8:00 a.m.

Select Thunder players (to be announced) are scheduled to appear in the 8:00 a.m. hour of the "D.J. Walker in the Morning" radio show on KAT Country 103 to preview this Friday's game against the Ontario Reign and participate in the usual zany show activities!

"KINGS ROOM" PREGAME AND POSTGAME PARTIES FEATURING LIVE MUSIC

Back by popular demand, the Stockton Thunder is hosting pregame and postgame parties inside the new "Kings Room" of Stockton Arena, open before each home game and after each Friday and Saturday home game. A great gathering place for Thunder fans to rally before the game or celebrate a win after, select drink specials and a special food menu is included along with live music throughout the evening! For more information, call the Thunder at (209) 373-1500.

2009-10 TEAM LEADERS:

Points - James Bates (41)

Goals - Chris D'Alvise (21)

Assists - James Bates (26)

Plus/Minus - Anthony Aiello (+13)

Penalty Minutes - Garet Hunt (116)

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Igor Gongalsky is 10 points away from 100 in his professional career

o Colin Hemingway is 4 points away from 300 in his professional career

o Garet Hunt is 7 games away from 100 as a member of the Thunder

TEAM NOTES

- James Bates has scored 15 points (3g-12a) in his last nine games

- Andrew Perugini ranks third in the ECHL with a.918 save percentage

- Chris D'Alvise became the first player in Thunder history to score a natural hat trick on Feb. 5 at Ontario (4-1 win)

- Stockton is third in the ECHL with an average of 5,859 fans in attendance (24 home games)

- Stockton's power-play on the road leads the ECHL at 26 percent (25-for-96)

- Stockton is 6-2-2 in its last ten games

The team's upcoming schedule for the coming week is as follows:

(subject to change, all times PT)

TUE, FEB. 9:

10:00 a.m. - Practice at Oak Park Ice Arena (Stockton, Calif.)

WED, FEB. 10:

10:00 a.m. - Practice at Oak Park Ice Arena (Stockton, Calif.)

THURS, FEB. 11:

10:00 a.m. - Practice at Oak Park Ice Arena (Stockton, Calif.)

FRI. FEB. 12:

10:00 a.m. - Morning skate at Stockton Arena

6:00 p.m. - Pre-game media access ends

7:30 p.m. - GAME VS. ONTARIO

StocktonThunder.com

Travel to Ontario, Calif. immediately following game

SAT. FEB. 13:

No morning skate

7:00 p.m. - GAME VS. ONTARIO (Citizens Business Bank Arena)

StocktonThunder.com

Travel to Stockton, Calif. immediately following game

SUN. FEB. 14:

Day off

MON. FEB. 15:

Day off

WEEK IN REVIEW

ONT 5 - STK 3 (2/6/10): Tony Voce scored a pair of goals and Jon Francisco scored an eventual game-winner in the second period to help the Ontario Reign send the Thunder to just their second defeat in regulation in the last 13 games, 5-3 before an announced crowd of 8,497 at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Saturday. The Thunder, who had their 4-0-1 streak snapped despite goals each from Chris D'Alvise, J.F. Caudron and Anthony Aiello, were hampered by nine penalty kill situations, one away from the season high that was surrendered to Bakersfield on Dec. 4. Michael Pelech, Sean O'Connor and Jon Francisco each scored a goal for Ontario and Curtis Darling made 28 saves for the win in net.

STK 4 - ONT 1 (2/5/10): All-star center Chris D'Alvise scored a natural hat trick, the first in team history, and James Bates had three assists to help the Thunder cruise to a 4-1 victory over the host Ontario Reign, before a crowd of 5,169 at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Friday night. The Thunder, who improved to 7-1-4 in the last 12 games, moved to within just six points of first place in the Pacific Division after Bakersfield lost, 3-2 at Alaska. D'Alvise's natural hat trick was the first in Thunder history and eighth all-time hat trick, scoring three goals in succession in a third period rally. Colin Hemingway added his 17th goal of the season for the Thunder, while goaltender Andrew Perugini made 38 saves to earn his 12th win this season.

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