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After date with Bakersfield, Thunder opens Stockton Arena

December 5, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


Friday, December 9: @ Bakersfield Condors, 7pm (PT) - The season-opening 15-game roadtrip comes to a close with a four-hour trek down highway-99 against the Condors, the first meeting in 2005-06 between both clubs. Stockton looks to break a four-game losing streak, posting its last win on November 20 in a 4-2 win over Dayton. The Thunder, as Atlantic City in 2004-05, lost its only matchup with the Condors, a 5-2 defeat on January 12.

Stockton inherits a 2-1-0 all-time mark against Bakersfield, whose roster includes Los Angeles Kings (NHL) prospects Ryan Munce (goaltender) and forward Eric Neilsen, who played alongside NHL phenom Sidney Crosby last year in Rimouski (QMJHL).

Saturday, December 10: vs. Phoenix RoadRunners, 7:30pm (PT) and Sunday, December 11: vs. Phoenix RoadRunners, 4pm (PT) - The date San Joaquin Valley residents have been waiting for comes to reality when the Thunder hosts Phoenix on Saturday, a once-defunct, revitalized 2005-06 expansion team operated by former NHL winger Claude Lemieux.

The game will be the first-ever sports contest inside the new Stockton Arena and is expected to be a sellout, with numerous dignitaries from the City of Stockton and the ECHL anticipated to be in attendance, including ECHL commissioner Brian McKenna. Both teams have never faced each other, yet familiarity will be present when Thunder forward Dominic Soucy faces brother Jean-Francois, a forward for the RoadRunners.

The opening night festivities are presented by Jackson Rancheria, Food 4 Less, Coors Light, Zamora Automotive Group, KAT Country and News10. The second of the back-to-back games on Sunday will feature a Thunder Schedule Poster Giveaway (presented by In Shape Clubs and Dameron Hospital), free to all fans in attendance.

All three 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 6:45pm (PT) on Friday, 7:15pm (PT) on Saturday, and 3:45pm (PT) on Sunday.

STOCKTON THUNDER SCHEDULE: December 5 - 11 (All times pacific, subject to change)

Monday, December 5 10am: Practice at Stockton Arena

Tuesday, December 6 No practice: off-ice training

Wednesday, December 7 6pm: Practice at Stockton Arena

Thursday, December 8 10am: Practice at Stockton Arena Friday, December 9 9:30am: Morning skate at Stockton Arena 7pm: Game at Bakersfield Condors (Rabobank Arena)

Saturday, December 10 Morning skate TBA 7:30pm: Game vs. Phoenix RoadRunners (Stockton Arena)

Sunday, December 11 4pm: Game vs. Phoenix RoadRunners (Stockton Arena)

UPCOMING MILESTONES:
- Joel Irwin is two goals away from 100, and 4 games away from 300 in his ECHL career

WEEK IN REVIEW

Saturday, December 3 FRESNO 4 vs. STOCKTON 1

FRESNO, Calif. - The Thunder finished on the losing end of its only game last week, dropping a 4-1 decision to the Fresno Falcons last Saturday in front of 3,575 at Save Mart Center. Steve Slonina recorded the only Thunder goal, a second period power play marker that extended a Thunder streak to 14 consecutive games with a power play goal. Both teams recorded a combined 72 penalty minutes, while Fresno's Matt O'Dette and J.F. Plourde combined for four points.

OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN

STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder named defenseman Dean Stork its inaugural team captain for the 2005-06 season, Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki announced last Thursday.

"On and off the ice, Dean will provide the leadership necessary for us to have a successful season," said Cichocki. "Through my relationship with Dean, I know he understands the hard work and commitment that is needed."

Stork has amassed seven years of professional experience heading into the 2005-06 campaign, including three with the Arkansas RiverBlades (2000-03), tallying career-highs in 2002-03 in goals (15) and points (28) while playing under Cichocki.

"Dean is the perfect man to represent the Thunder as its first captain in team history," said Thunder team president Dan Chapman. "He has earned the respect of his teammates and is a true leader."

Stork, who played under Cichocki previously with the RiverBlades and the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL - 2003-04), made his professional debut one step below the National Hockey League level in 1998-99, playing in 10 games with the Portland Pirates (AHL), notching two assists.

Forward Joel Irwin and defenseman Geno Parrish will continue their roles as assistant captains.

BARTZEN BACK AGAIN

STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder announced it activated center Casey Bartzen off the 30-day injured reserve list, and placed left wing Landon Bathe on the seven-day injured reserve list with a lower back injury on last Saturday.

Bartzen has appeared in two games with the Thunder in 2005-06, going scoreless. He appeared in two games last season with the Victoria Salmon Kings (ECHL) in his professional debut, and previously spent four seasons with University of British Columbia (CIS), appearing in 134 total games (17g-82a=99p). His 33 points (2g-31a) in 2004-05 led the Thunderbirds in scoring and assists.

WEEK IN REVIEW NOTES:
- Center Nathan Martz has registered six points in his last six games (2g-4a), and is on a four-game point-scoring streak
- Top-three scorers Joel Irwin (6g-13a), Steve Slonina (8g-5a), and Nathan Martz (4g-9a) have combined for 45 points, 40.9% of the Thunder's total scoring
- Stockton has scored a power play goal each in its first 14 games, registering a 22.4% clip (fourth in ECHL)
- The Thunder has gained three of its four wins outside of divisional play

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