
Eight-Game Homestand Begins This Weekend
February 27, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release
THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS: (all times PT)
at LONG BEACH ICE DOGS (Wednesday * 2/28: Noon) (Sunday * 3/4: 4:00 p.m.)
A rare Wednesday noon start graces the first meeting since December 23 between the Thunder and Long Beach Ice Dogs. The Thunder is 5-1-0 this season against Long Beach and 6-1-4 in the all-time series. Wednesday's game is the final time both teams meet at Long Beach Arena for the regular season. The Thunder has won two games in a row for its first winning streak since January 6. After climbing back into the playoff race, the Ice Dogs have lost three games in a row and are in the Pacific Division basement with 41 points (19-30-3 record).
vs. CINCINNATI CYCLONES (Friday and Saturday * 3/2-3/3: 7:30 p.m.)
The Thunder hosts its only visiting opponent from the American Conference this weekend in the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL Montreal Canadiens affiliate), to begin an eight-game homestand. Both teams have never faced each other. The Cyclones are in first place in the North Division of the American Conference with 60 points (28-20-4 record) and are led by the scoring duo in Mike Wirll (57 points * 36g-21a) and Jason Deitsch (55 points * 22g-33a), who both rank among the ECHL's scoring leaders. The Thunder is 6-5-2 all-time against American Conference opponents.
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 at 11:45 a.m. PT on Wednesday (audio only), 7:15 p.m. PT on Friday and Saturday, and 3:45 p.m. PT on Sunday.
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
FRIDAY, 3/2
o FAITH NIGHT
- Discount admission for all church and religious organizations
o THUNDER TRADING CARD NIGHT #4 (presented by TNT Quik Connect, KHOP 95.1 and In-Shape Health Clubs)
- The first 2,000 fans in attendance receive a set of five Thunder trading cards
SATURDAY, 3/3
THUNDER REPLICA JERSEY NIGHT (presented by News-10, Pepsi and KAT Country 103)
- The first 2,000 kids (ages 12 and under) in attendance receive a black Thunder replica jersey
SUNDAY, 3/4
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 Jim Dahl is 6 points shy of 100 in his professional career
TEAM NOTES:
o ATTENDANCE UPDATE: Stockton leads the ECHL in attendance with an average of 6,853 fans and has a total of 157,628 fans through 23 dates
o Stockton is 15-7-7 in games outside of the Pacific Division
o Right wing Mathieu Melanson scored a goal in his professional debut last Friday and has scored four goals in his first three games
o Left wing Mike Lalonde has scored 17 points (10g-7a) in his last 15 games
o Defenseman Beau Geisler leads ECHL defensemen with 21 power-play assists
o Stockton is 6-5-2 all-time against American Conference opponents
o Goaltender Cam Ellsworth is seventh in the ECHL with a 2.46 goals-against-average
o Goaltender Devan Dubnyk is tied for seventh in the ECHL with a .918 save percentage
LAST WEEK IN REVIEW
Wednesday, February 21 STOCKTON 2 - Bakersfield 1
Goaltender Cam Ellsworth made 36 saves while left wing Tim Sestito scored a game-winning goal in the third period as the Thunder snapped a five-game winless skid in a 2-1 victory over the Bakersfield Condors at Stockton Arena on Wednesday. Center Jim Dahl scored a game-tying second period goal, while Ellsworth kept the Condors blanked with a combined 18 saves on 18 shots in the last two periods. Stockton picked up its third win of the season over Bakersfield.
Friday, February 23 TEXAS 2 - Stockton 1
Goaltender Cam Ellsworth made 33 saves, including 20 in the first period, which was countered by Matt Yeats' 38 stops as the Thunder absorbed a 2-1 setback to the Texas Wildcatters at Ford Arena. In his first professional game, forward Mathieu Melanson notched his first pro goal with 4:54 remaining in regulation to spark a late comeback attempt. Brandin Cote and Jonathan Paiemont added goals for Texas.
Saturday, February 24 STOCKTON 2 - Texas 1
Thunder rookie Mathieu Melanson scored two goals, including the game-winner at the 10:58 mark of the first period, while all-star goaltender Devan Dubnyk made 37 saves in a 2-1 Thunder victory over the Texas Wildcatters at Ford Arena. Melanson got the Thunder on the board just 3:36 into the game, while Dubnyk made 11 third period stops to snuff Texas' late rally. Assistant captain Nathan Martz aided the Thunder offense with two assists.
Sunday, February 25 STOCKTON 5 - Texas 4
The Thunder erupted for three power-play goals while leading scorer Mike Lalonde enjoyed a career-high four-point night, scoring a goal while adding three assists in a 5-4 Thunder road victory over Texas. The Thunder attained its first winning streak since January 6, coincidentally handing Texas its first losing streak since the exact date. Mathieu Melanson scored his fourth goal in three games in the first period, while Jim Dahl, Jason Beckett, and Beau Geisler also scored for the Thunder. Goaltender Devan Dubnyk made 46 saves to preserve the win, two off his season-high.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING (courtesy of The Record)
"We felt all along that if we submitted a proposal, it would be looked upon very favorably by the league. And it just felt like our market was primed and ready to host an all-star game."
- Thunder president Dan Chapman on the awarding of the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game to the hosting Thunder
"To come back and play a game with only 12 hours of rest - it's a huge boost for the team's morale."
- Head Coach Chris Cichocki after Stockton's 5-4 win over Texas on Sunday
"It's an excellent example of what we can do when we execute the game plan. This is the type of game you'll see in the playoffs. There aren't a lot of high-scoring games in the playoffs."
- Left wing Tim Sestito after a 2-1 Thunder win at home against a surging Bakersfield Condors team
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from February 27, 2007
- Condors Slip Past RoadRunners 5-4 In A Shootout - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Fresno Extra Special In 5-0 Win Over Cyclones - Cincinnati Cyclones
- MacDonald Stops 35 Shots for First Pro Shutout - Fresno Falcons
- Bombers soar over Toledo, 6-2 - Dayton Bombers
- Everblades in first place after 6-3 win over Augusta - Florida Everblades
- Ice Pilots fall to Inferno 5-4 in shootout - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Third period power play goals vault Everblades over Lynx - Augusta Lynx
- Community and Promotions Update - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Cyclones Receive Goaltender Dov Grumet-Morris - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Constant recalled to Hartford - Charlotte Checkers
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Steelheads' Nesbitt Named In Glas Co Player Of The Week - ECHL
- Nesbitt named ECHL Player of the Week - Idaho Steelheads
- Stingrays Weekly - South Carolina Stingrays
- Gladiators "Salute to Atlanta Traffic" Jersey Auction a Success - Atlanta Gladiators
- McKenna named Goaltender of the Week - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Wranglers' McKenna Named Rbk Hockey Goalie Of The Week - ECHL
- Benson, Wellar may suit up for Peoria Thursday - Alaska Aces
- Condors Game Preview - Bakersfield Condors
- Atherton, Lascek and Smolenak recalled - Johnstown Chiefs
- Eight-Game Homestand Begins This Weekend - Stockton Thunder
- Charity Case to perform post-game concert March 17 - Charlotte Checkers
- ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna in Long Beach Wednesday - Long Beach Ice Dogs
- Ice Pilots weekly - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Ice Pilots look for four wins in Columbia Tonight - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Book âEm, Danno - Reading Royals
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.
Other Recent Stockton Thunder Stories
- Final Weather Report: All the News and Notes from the Stockton Thunder
- Thunder Announce End of the Year Equipment Sale
- Thunder Win Final ECHL Game in front of Sold Out Crowd
- Final Thunder Home Game at Stockton Arena at 7:30 p.m.
- Larocque Scores in Second Straight against Bakersfield but Team Falls

