Down The (Home) Stretch They Come

March 24, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THUNDER OVERALL RECORD: 25-37-3, 53 points LAST WEEK: 0-4-0

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS: (all times PT)

vs. VICTORIA SALMON KINGS (Wed. - 7:00 p.m., Sat. - 7:30 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN, B2 Networks

With its third straight ECHL attendance title in sights, the Thunder faces the Victoria Salmon Kings for the final two of three home games in the regular season, starting Wednesday from Stockton Arena. Wednesday's game is the sixth of seven meetings this year between both clubs and the Thunder is searching for its first win of the year against Victoria with a record of 0-4-1 in the regular season. Defenseman Brian Lee's four points (1g-3a) leads active Thunder players in scoring this year against the Salmon Kings.

at IDAHO STEELHEADS (Friday - 7:30 p.m.) - B2 Networks

The Thunder engages in the final regular season matchup against the Idaho Steelheads, carrying a record of 3-5-0 in the nine-game set. The home team has every game in the head-to-head series this year and the Thunder is 10-7-1 in the last two seasons against the Steelheads. Both teams previously met on Mar. 22 at Qwest Arena, with the Steelheads taking a 3-0 victory behind goaltender Matt Zaba's third shutout of the season.

1420 KSTN is the Thunder's flagship radio station and all 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. Radio broadcaster Mike Benton provides play-by-play commentary, with the "Thunder Forecast" pre-game show starting 15 minutes before each broadcast.

In addition, Valley Brew Family Restaurant is in its second season as official host of the Thunder Watch Party (via B2 Networks' "Bar and Pub Network") for all road games, featuring prizes and broadcast-interactive contests for all fans in attendance.

Located at 157 W. Adams Street in Stockton, Valley Brew Family Restaurant is placed in the heart of Stockton's "Miracle Mile" district and features an array of acclaimed burgers, beverages, appetizers, specialties and more, offering customers free wi-fi internet access inside the restaurant.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

WEDNESDAY, 3/26 vs. Victoria Salmon Kings

- Academic All-Stars Day (presented by California Welding Supply & Guaranty Bank)

- Students who earned honor roll status for the recent grading period are honored with complimentary tickets to tonight's game

FRIDAY, 3/28 vs. Idaho Steelheads

- Group Appreciation Night

- Discount tickets for all groups who attended a Thunder game earlier this season (when purchased in advance)!

- Player Frame Auction

- Fans will have the opportunity to bid on and win a framed Thunder player collage which includes the player's actual locker plate as well as a photo of that player. Don't miss your chance to own a one of a kind piece of Thunder memorabilia!

- Family Night (presented by Alpine Meats & 99.3 KJOY)

- $34 family upper premium / end zone admission (four tickets, two hot dogs, two hockey pucks) with discount admission coupon available via Alpine Meats display at area grocery stores

SATURDAY, 3/29 vs. Victoria Salmon Kings

- Fan Appreciation Night (presented by St. Joseph's Medical Center, KAT Country 103, and 104.1 The Hawk)

- Special giveaways and surprises in-store to salute the most loyal fans in the ECHL!

- Post-Game Awards Presentation

- Thunder president Dan Chapman and Head Coach Chris Cichocki will present awards to select players after Saturday night's contest.

- Never A Wasted Ticket Night

- Season ticket holders can redeem old tickets for a ticket of the same or lesser value for this game (subject to availability)

WEEK IN REVIEW

Monday, March 17 (Bakersfield 8 - Stockton 5)

Mark Derlago scored two goals in 10 seconds to lead a four-goal rally by the Bakersfield Condors in the second period, sending the Thunder to an 8-5 loss at Rabobank Arena on Monday night. Tyler Hirsch scored his first two goals in a Thunder uniform and the Thunder added goals from Brian Lee, Tom Zanoski and Ryan MacMurchy.

Wednesday, March 19 (Idaho 1 - Stockton 0)

All-star goaltender Kellen Briggs made 25 saves for his third shutout of the regular season, aided by a second period power-play goal by John Lammers to help the Idaho Steelheads send the Thunder to a 1-0 loss, in front of 4,212 at Qwest Arena on Wednesday night. The Thunder loss kept them tied for seventh place in the National Conference with the idle Phoenix RoadRunners and four points ahead of idle ninth-place Bakersfield. Thunder goaltender Glenn Fisher made 31 saves in the losing cause.

Friday, March 21 (Idaho 3 - Stockton 2)

Colin Sinclair's goal with 23 seconds left in regulation broke a 2-2 tie and helped the Idaho Steelheads escape with a 3-2 victory over the Thunder before a crowd of 4,843 at Qwest Arena on Friday night. Thunder goaltender Tim Boron made 34 saves in the losing cause and the Thunder got goals from Tim O'Connell (power-play) and Fredrik Johansson (shorthanded).

Saturday, March 22 (Idaho 3 - Stockton 0)

Rookie goaltender Matt Zaba stopped 32 shots for the third shutout of his career, completing a three-game sweep for the Idaho Steelheads, who sent the Thunder to a 3-0 loss before a crowd of 5,024 at Qwest Arena on Saturday night. Idaho capitalized off goals from Lance Galbraith (penalty shot), Taggart Desmet and an empty-netter from Colin Sinclair. Goaltender Glenn Fisher made 29 saves in the contest to backstop the Thunder efforts.

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Brian Lee is 2 games away from 200 in his professional career

o Lance Monych is 2 points away from 100 in his professional career

o Brandon Schwartz is 2 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

o Tim Verbeek is 8 games away from 400 in his professional career

TEAM NOTES:

o Center Brandon Schwartz has eight points (1g-7a) in his last 10 games

o Rookie goaltender Tim Boron is tied for second in the ECHL with three shutouts

o Center Brandon Schwartz leads the Thunder with 28 points (8g-20a) at home

o Stockton leads the ECHL in attendance with 216,875 fans (6,572 average)

o Stockton is 22-12-1 when scoring first

o Stockton is tied for 2nd in the ECHL with 13 shorthanded goals

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

(courtesy of The Record)

"Anything I can do to help. It wasn't a tough assignment, because Dave did great. He had a natural feel for what was going on out there. He's clearly a good player."

- Tim O'Connell on David Robertson, The Record, 3/17/08

"Word gets around that the Stockton Thunder takes care of their players. You hope it makes people want to come here."

- President Dan Chapman, The Record (in story titled "Meet the Residents of Thunder House"), 3/23/08

"I know (our house this year) completely blows away the house we had last year (at University of Michigan). It was run down, with holes in the floor. The walls were falling apart. Mice, rats, anything you can imagine running through there."

- David Rohlfs, The Record, 3/23/08



ECHL Stories from March 24, 2008


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.

OurSports Central