A Royal Clash

Published on December 26, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:

Monday, December 26: @ Fresno Falcons (5pm)

The fourth meeting in 2005-06 between the Thunder (0-2-1 vs. Fresno) and the Falcons is headlined by the return of Thunder center Maris Ziedins, returning to the Thunder from overseas since being named to Team Latvia's national Olympic hockey squad. Both teams have met the previous three times in Fresno, with the Thunder dropping a 4-1 decision in the last meeting on December 3.

Geno Parrish and Nathan Martz's three assists apiece lead the Thunder in individual scoring against Fresno.

Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday, December 27-28, 30: vs. Reading Royals (7pm Tuesday & Wednesday, 7:30pm Friday)

The Thunder and Royals meet for the first time in 2005-06, with both teams facing each other for three games in four nights. Reading's roster (ECHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings) is headlined by leading scorer Mike Kompon's 30 points (8g-22a), and left wing Dany Roussin, a second round draft pick by Los Angeles in 2005 and a former linemate of National Hockey League phenom Sidney Crosby in Rimouski (QMJHL).

Saturday, December 31: @ Bakersfield Condors (7pm)

Both teams meet for the second time during the 2005-06 season, with the Condors previously edging the Thunder 3-2 in a shootout on December 9 in Bakersfield. Stockton goaltender Jake Moreland paced Stockton to the point gained, with a Thunder season-high 46 saves. Steve Slonina and Aaron Foster contributed with goals for the Thunder.

All five games can be heard live on the internet (free-of-charge) and are available for viewing at a $6 "pay-per-view" fare at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B-2 Networks. Thunder broadcaster Mike Benton will provide play-by-play commentary, with the pre-game show beginning at 4:45pm (PT) on Monday, 6:45pm (PT) on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, and 7:15pm (PT) on Friday.

STOCKTON THUNDER SCHEDULE: December 26 * January 1 (Subject to change, all times Pacific)

Monday, December 26 11am: Morning skate at Stockton Arena 5pm: Game at Fresno Falcons (Save Mart Center)

Tuesday, December 27 10am: Morning skate at Stockton Arena 7pm: Game vs. Reading Royals (Stockton Arena)

Wednesday, December 28 10am: Morning skate at Stockton Arena 7pm: Game vs. Reading Royals (Stockton Arena)

Thursday, December 29 TBA

Friday, December 30 10am: Morning skate at Stockton Arena 7:30pm: Game vs. Reading Royals (Stockton Arena)

Saturday, December 31 TBA: Morning skate 7pm: Game at Bakersfield Condors (Rabobank Arena)

Sunday, January 1, 2006 Day Off

UPCOMING MILESTONES:
- Joel Irwin is one goal away from 100 in his ECHL career
- Dean Stork is four games away from 400 and nine assists away from 100 in his ECHL career
- Jason Kostadine is 14 games away from 100 in his ECHL career
- Nathan Martz is 14 games away from 100 in his ECHL career
- Dave McCulloch is 13 games away from 100 in his ECHL career

WEEK IN REVIEW

OLYMPIC GLORY

STOCKTON, Calif. * Stockton Thunder center Maris Ziedins was selected last Thursday to play for the Latvian national Olympic Hockey Team at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

"All of us in the Thunder organization are very proud of Maris for making the Latvian Olympic team," said Thunder President Dan Chapman. "Anytime an athlete has an opportunity to represent his or her country, it has a very special meaning. In addition to the United States, Thunder fans will have another team to root for in the Olympics."

Ziedins, 27, was selected to a roster of 23 players (three goaltenders and 20 skaters), which include 13 returnees from the 2002 Winter Olympic squad and 17 participants in the 2005 World Championships. Ziedins' teammates will also include past and present National Hockey League veterans Arturs Irbe (goaltender - San Jose, Dallas, Carolina, Vancouver), Mighty Ducks of Anaheim defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh, and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Karlis Skrastins.

A native of Talsi, Latvia, Ziedins has registered seven points (2g-5a) in 15 games with the Thunder in 2005-06. He split his first ECHL season in 2004-05 between the Toledo Storm and Greenville Grrrowl, combining for 48 points (25g-23a) in 67 games.

"Maris' puck-handling and playmaking skills will be a huge asset for Team Latvia," said Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki. "I'm assured it will be a great experience for him."

TRADING SPACES

STOCKTON, Calif. * The Stockton Thunder announced last Tuesday it acquired right wing Nick Greenough from the Columbia Inferno, in exchange for future considerations (transferred to the Augusta Lynx).

The three-way deal sent goaltender Trevor Cunning, previously with Augusta, to Columbia.

Greenough, a native of Windsor, Nova Scotia, has appeared in 25 games with the Inferno during the 2005-06 season, registering eight points (2g-6a) and 97 PIM's. He spent his 2004-05 campaign with three ECHL teams, sharing time between the Mississippi Sea Wolves, Augusta Lynx and Reading Royals, racking up a combined 11 points (8g-3a) and 178 PIM's in 56 games.

Greenough has also appeared in 44 career games in the American Hockey League, and split his four-year junior career between the Val d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL) and Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL), where his list of former teammates includes current National Hockey League veterans Roberto Luongo (Florida Panthers) and J.P. Dumont (Buffalo Sabres).

The Thunder also announced left wing Landon Bathe was placed on the 30-day injured reserve list with a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his left knee, sustained in the Thunder's 3-2 loss to the Las Vegas Wranglers on December 17. Bathe is slated to miss the remainder of the 2005-06 season.

On Wednesday, the Thunder dealt Dominic Soucy to the South Carolina Stingrays in exchange for financial considerations.

THUNDER NOTES:
- Stockton has gained four of its five wins outside of divisional play
- The Thunder has scored 26 goals in the third period or post-regulation, accounting for 47.2% of its total offense (55 team goals)
- Center Nathan Martz has recorded ten points (3g-7a) in his last ten games
- Left wing Mike Lalonde has notched five points (4g-1a) in his last five games, and is fourth in ECHL rookie goal-scoring with 13 goals

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ECHL Stories from December 26, 2005


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