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Falcons Fly In For Weekend Foray

March 11, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THUNDER OVERALL RECORD: 24-32-3, 51 points LAST WEEK: 1-1-0

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT: (all times PT)

vs. FRESNO FALCONS (Friday and Saturday - 7:30 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN**, B2 Networks

Following a six-day layoff, the Thunder returns to action with a two-game series against the Fresno Falcons at Stockton Arena. The Thunder is 6-16-3 all-time against Fresno and 3-4-0 in the season series. Both teams previously met on Mar. 14 with the Thunder taking a 3-2 win, the club's first all-time win at Save Mart Center. Both Brandon Schwartz (2g-3a) and David Rohlfs (1g-4a) have five points each to lead the Thunder in scoring for the head-to-head series.

**Denotes potentially joined in progress

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

FRIDAY, 3/14 vs. Fresno Falcons

- Faith and Family Night (presented by KYCC Radio)

* Post-game concert featuring "Worth Dying For" and discount on group tickets for religious organizations (purchased in advance)!

- Mascot Night

* Thunder mascot "Thor" will be joined by neighborhood mascot buddies "PowerCat" (Pacific Tigers), "TomCat" (Califofrnia Cougars), "Freddie Falcon" (Fresno Falcons),"Chuck E. Cheese" (Chuck E. Cheese's), "Al the Almond" (Modesto Nuts), "Wally The Walnut" (Modesto Nuts), "Splash" (Stockton Ports), and more! **

- Make-A-Wish Night

* The Thunder helps kids dreams come true, helping raise funds for the Make-A-Wish foundation!

**Mascot lineup subject to change

SATURDAY, 3/15 vs. Fresno Falcons

- Brian Lee Bobblehead night * The first 1,000 kids (ages 12 and under) in attendance receive a commemorative bobblehead doll of Thunder defenseman Brian Lee!

- Girl Scout Night

* Discount on tickets for all local girl scouts/guests (when purchased in advance through local troop)!

WEEK IN REVIEW

Tuesday, March 4 (Las Vegas 5 - Stockton 1)

Veteran Peter Ferraro registered a hat trick and goaltender Kevin Lalande made 31 saves to help the Las Vegas Wranglers send the Thunder to a 5-1 loss at Orleans Arena on Tuesday night. Fredrik Johansson scored his second goal of the season for the only Thunder goal in the third period, while veteran center Joel Stepp added an assist for his first point in a Thunder uniform since a recent trade with the Pensacola Ice Pilots.

Friday, March 7 (Stockton 3 - Idaho 2)

Rookie Tom Zanoski's second goal of the game broke a 2-2 tie with 4:54 left in regulation and lifted the Thunder to a 3-2 comeback victory over the Idaho Steelheads before a crowd of 7,810 at Stockton Arena on Friday night. Zanoski's game-winner, completing the first multi-goal effort of his career, capped the fourth successful come-from-behind effort for the Thunder this season when trailing after two periods. Additionally, two comeback attempts have come against the Steelheads. Goaltender Glenn Fisher made 31 saves for the Thunder.

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Jason Beeman is 19 games away from 100 in his ECHL career

o Brian Lee is 8 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 5 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

o Tim Verbeek is 15 games away from 400 in his professional career

TEAM NOTES:

o Rookie left wing Tom Zanoski had his first game-winning goal of his pro career and first multi-goal game on 3/7/08 vs. Idaho

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

o Lance Monych is tied for 12th in the ECHL with 27 goals

o Stockton leads the ECHL in attendance with 201,783 fans (6,509 average)

o Stockton is 22-12-1 when scoring first

o Stockton is tied for 3rd in the league with 12 shorthanded goals

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

(courtesy of The Record)

"He's a point-a-game guy; he's someone that can give us a boost. And he's good on the power play, which is certainly somewhere we need help."

- Head Coach Chris Cichocki on the addition of center Tyler Hirsch

"This is playoff hockey for us. Who knows? This might be the two points that put us in (the post-season)." - Cichocki after last Friday's Thunder win over the Idaho Steelheads

"I really think right now we need to put our work boots on. We're not going to score the prettiest goals out there, but we're going to score hard-working goals."

- Veteran defenseman Phil Cole

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