Cold Town, Hot Team

Published on January 16, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THUNDER OVERALL RECORD: 6-19-5 (17 points)

LAST WEEK: 0-2-1

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT:

Wednesday, Friday & Saturday, January 18, 20-21: at Alaska Aces (all 8:15 p.m. PT)

It's been one of the toughest places to play a hockey game for the 2005-06 season. Well, maybe for the past three seasons, as the Thunder (Phoenix Coyotes ECHL affiliate) faces the Alaska Aces (St. Louis Blues ECHL affiliate) for three games at Sullivan Arena, where the Aces are a combined 58-22-9 at home since entering the ECHL in 2003-04. Currently, they have posted 14-2-1 home clip for 2005-06.

Forward Maris Ziedins comes into the week with the Thunder's hottest current offensive stretch, posting nine points (5g-4a) in his last 10 games. Alaska is led offensively by former NHL first round draftee (1999, Buffalo Sabres) Barrett Heisten, whose 45 points (18g-27a) also ranks fourth in ECHL scoring.

Goaltender Chris Beckford-Tseu, headed to the ECHL All-Star Game for the National Conference, has posted a league-best 1.97 goals-against average in 15 appearances; his exploits earned himself a brief NHL promotion to the Blues earlier this season.

All three games can be heard live on the internet (free-of-charge) and are available for viewing 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 8 p.m. (PT) all three nights.

STOCKTON THUNDER SCHEDULE: January 17-23 (Subject to change, all times Pacific)

Tuesday, January 17 Travel Day

Wednesday, January 18 12:15 p.m.: Morning Skate at Sullivan Arena 8:15 p.m.: Game vs. Alaska Aces (Sullivan Arena)

Thursday, January 19 1 p.m.: Practice at Sullivan Arena

Friday, January 20 12:15 p.m.: Morning Skate at Sullivan Arena 8:15 p.m.: Game vs. Alaska Aces (Sullivan Arena)

Saturday, January 21 12:15 p.m.: Morning Skate at Sullivan Arena 8:15 p.m.: Game vs. Alaska Aces (Sullivan Arena)

Sunday, January 22 Travel Day

Monday, January 23 Day Off

UPCOMING MILESTONES:
- Dean Stork is nine assists away from 100 in his ECHL career
- Nathan Martz is three games away from 100 in his ECHL career
- Dave McCulloch is two games away from 100 in his ECHL career

WEEK IN REVIEW

SHAKE IT UP

In a mini-flurry of roster moves, the Thunder acquired center Kevin Gardner from the Idaho Steelheads in exchange for defenseman Tony Johnson, and acquired forward John Longo from the Columbia Inferno in exchange for left wing Derek Campbell, Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki announced Sunday.

"We made these moves to give us a boost in offense," said Cichocki. "Both players have a noticeable amount of offensive potential, and they're put in a position here in Stockton to expand on their offensive capabilities."

Gardner, an ECHL rookie, has compiled eight points (5g-3a) in 22 games with the Steelheads in 2005-06. He spent his 2000-05 college hockey career at Northern Michigan University (NCAA), where he posted 48 career points (19g-29a) in 126 games for the Wildcats. He also won the hockey program's academics and community service award two years in a row.

Longo has tallied 13 points (5g-8a) in 35 games with the Inferno in 2005-06. A former rookie with the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (ECHL) and Toledo Storm (ECHL) in the 2003-04 season, Longo also enjoyed an impressive four-year college hockey career at University of Vermont (NCAA), compiling 62 points (24g-38a) in 118 career games with the Catamounts from 1999-2003.

Tuesday, January 10 Idaho 4 vs. STOCKTON 1

The Idaho Steelheads notched a streak of four unanswered goals to send the Thunder to a 4-1 loss last Tuesday at Stockton Arena. Maris Ziedins recorded Stockton's lone tally, a second period power play goal. Mike Stutzel, Brad Thompson, and Justin Cox (two goals) contributed to Idaho's offense, while the Thunder finished outshooting the Steelheads by a noticeable 36-27 margin.

Friday, January 13 Florida 3 vs. STOCKTON 2

The Thunder succumbed to a late Florida rally in a 3-2 loss to the Everblades on Friday, before 6,382 at Stockton Arena. The Thunder's offense was backed by a goal each from Aaron MacInnis and Geno Parrish, while Florida got goals from Greg Black, Phil Aucoin, and the game-winner by Steve Saviano. Parrish tied the game inside six minutes left, but Saviano came back under a minute later to win it.

Saturday, January 14 Florida 5 vs. STOCKTON 4 (OT)

Maris Ziedins continued a recent scoring tear by posting two goals and an assist to aid the Thunder to a point gained in the standings, settling for a 5-4 overtime loss to the Everblades, in front of a raucous crowd of 8,062 at Stockton Arena on Saturday night. Down 4-3, Geno Parrish tied the game for Stockton with 41 seconds left and goaltender Jake Moreland pulled for an extra attacker, forcing overtime. Nathan Martz also tallied a goal for the Thunder, while Anders Strome posted Florida's game-winning goal in overtime.

THUNDER NOTES:

- Forward Maris Ziedins has recorded five points, with three goals and two assists in his last four games

- Defenseman Geno Parrish has recorded 20 points, with 16 points (2g-14a) coming on the power play, tied for the team-lead in power play scoring

- Stockton has gained five of its six wins outside of divisional play

- The Thunder has drawn crowds of 6,000 or greater in four of its last five home games

- Stockton has registered a .903 penalty kill percentage in the last six games (28 for 31)

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