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Bakersfield and Utah Roll Into Town As Thunder Hits Winning Stride

January 8, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS: (all times PT)

vs. BAKERSFIELD CONDORS (Friday, Jan. 12 and Saturday, Jan. 13 * 7:30 p.m.)

The Thunder and Pacific Division rival Bakersfield Condors renew acquaintances for the first time since the opening night of the 2006-07 ECHL season with a two-game series at Stockton Arena. Stockton previously routed Bakersfield 6-1 at Rabobank Arena on October 20, led by veteran defenseman Tim O'Connell's goal and two assists, and all-star goaltender Devan Dubnyk's 48 saves in his pro debut. Bakersfield is tied for third in the Pacific with the Thunder and is led offensively by veteran Kevin St. Jacques' 36 points (11g-25a). The Thunder is unbeaten in five of the last six games against the Condors with a 2-1-3 record.

vs. UTAH GRIZZLIES (Sunday, Jan. 14 * 4:00 p.m.)

The Thunder and Utah Grizzlies renew a fierce, physical matchup on Sunday at Stockton Arena to complete a grinding three-games-in-three-days stretch. The Thunder has swept the Grizzlies this season with a perfect 3-0-0 record, last defeating Utah 2-0 at Stockton Arena on December 3 giving Cam Ellsworth his fifth shutout of his career. Both teams have combined for 306 penalty minutes in the three-game series, including a Thunder record 166 PIM's (both teams combined) on November 19. Nathan Martz leads the Thunder in scoring in the head-to-head series, registering five points (all assists) through three games.

Thunder games can be heard live on the Internet (free-of-charge) and are available for viewing at a $6 "pay-per-view" charge at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks. Thunder broadcaster Mike Benton will provide play-by-play commentary with the "Thunder Forecast" pre-game show beginning 7:15 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 3:45 p.m. on Sunday.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

FRIDAY, 1/12
o THUNDER TRADING CARDS NIGHT - #2 (presented by TNT Quick Connect, KHOP 95.1, and In-Shape Health Clubs)
- The first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a commemorative set of five Thunder trading cards (2 of 5)

SATURDAY, 1/13
o TEDDY BEAR TOSS NIGHT (presented by News10, California Welding Supply, Jackson Rancheria, California Water Service Company, and KAT Country)
- All fans are encouraged to bring stuffed teddy bears to the game and throw them on the ice when the Thunder scores its first goal; teddy bears will be distributed by the United Way of San Joaquin County.

o DELTA BLOOD BANK REDEMPTION NIGHT
- Blood donors during December who received vouchers can redeem them for free tickets to this game

SUNDAY, 1/14
o ZOOPERSTARS (presented by The Record and Comcast)
- The acclaimed comedy mascot group "Zooperstars" makes its first appearance with the Stockton Thunder this season!

o THUNDER PUCK ANTENNA DAY (sponsored by Aroma's Uncorked) - The first 2,000 adult fans in attendance will receive a Thunder car antenna puck.

o FAMILY DAY (presented by Alpine Meats, Clearwire, and 99.3 KJOY)
- 4 tickets, 2 hot dogs and 2 pucks available for only $34
- Discount admission coupon available via Alpine Meats display, at area grocery stores and Clearwire retail locations

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Tim O'Connell is 3 points shy of 200 in his professional career and 6 points shy of 100 in his ECHL career

o Tim Verbeek is 1 assist shy of 100 in his professional career

o Nathan Martz is 5 assists shy of 100 in his professional career

TEAM NOTES:

o ATTENDANCE UPDATE: The Thunder leads the ECHL in attendance with 6,682 fans per game (93,548 total) * a 5.3% increase from last season, and drew a season-high 9,363 fans on December 30 vs. Fresno.

o Stockton ranks fourth in the ECHL on the power-play at home at 21.4 percent

o Right wing Troy Bodie leads Stockton and is tied for third among ECHL rookies with 12 goals

o The Thunder leads the ECHL with 36 shots per game and is third-best in the league with 28 shots allowed per game

o The Thunder has never been shutout in the team's two-year history, a string of 101 consecutive games dating back to 2005-06

o Goaltender Cam Ellsworth is tied for fifth in the ECHL with a 2.39 goals-against-average

o Goaltender Devan Dubnyk ranks 8th in the ECHL with a 2.71 goals-against-average

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW

Friday, January 5 STOCKTON 1 - Idaho 0

All-star rookie goaltender Devan Dubnyk made 29 saves to earn his first professional career shutout as the Thunder blanked the Idaho Steelheads 1-0 at Qwest Arena, as Dubnyk stopped all seven Idaho shots in the third period in his first game back from the Spengler Cup tournament in Switzerland. Left wing Tim Sestito scored the game's only goal with 1:42 left in the second period, while Dubnyk's counterpart John Daigneau made 32 saves in Idaho's losing effort.

Saturday, January 6 STOCKTON 5 - Idaho 2

Veteran defenseman Tim O'Connell tied an individual season-high with a three-point night, scoring two goals and an assist as the Thunder swept a two-game series from the Idaho Steelheads in a 5-2 win at Qwest Arena last Saturday. O'Connell's game-winner came 28 seconds after Tim Sestito gave the Thunder the lead for good in the second period. O'Connell added a goal in the third period as the Thunder got additional goals from Mike Lalonde and Tim Verbeek. Thunder netminder Devan Dubnyk made 36 saves while all-star forward Nathan Martz led the Thunder with a team-high +4 rating.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING (courtesy of The Record)

"We came out hungry. We got that confidence back after breaking the losing streak and we wanted to get another win."

- Veteran defenseman Tim O'Connell after scoring two goals and an assist in a 5-2 Thunder win on Saturday

"I think it was our sense of desperation more than anything. Devan did a nice job and the guys were just determined to win."

- Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki after a 1-0 Thunder win at Idaho last Friday snapped a five-game losing streak, which included Devan Dubnyk's first pro shutout

"It did feel kind of weird in my helmet. We'll have to see."

- Defenseman Jason Beckett, when asked how long he would stick with his "Mohawk" hairstyle, grown after fans raised over $500 for Beckett's charity of choice



ECHL Stories from January 8, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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