Final week of season heats up with neck-and-neck attendance race with Florida

April 3, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THUNDER OVERALL RECORD: 17-38-14 (48 points) LAST WEEK: 2-0-2

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:

@ ALASKA ACES (Wednesday, March 5 * 7 p.m. PT)

The Thunder continues its season-ending four-game homestand with its final meeting against the Alaska Aces (St. Louis Blues ECHL affiliate) for 2005-06. The attendance race heats up as big crowds are expected at Stockton Arena, including Wednesday night's game, as the Thunder battles for the ECHL attendance title for 2005-06. Stockton seeks its first win in five tries (0-5-0) against the Aces, with Joel Irwin and Aaron Foster tallying four points in five games to lead the Thunder offense against Alaska. Alex Leavitt will be a focal point of the Thunder defense, who has posted 15 points (5g-10a) in five games against the Thunder.

vs. BAKERSFIELD CONDORS (Friday, April 7 * 7:30 p.m. PT)

The Thunder and Condors meet for the final time in 2005-06, with Stockton looking to improve on its 1-2-4 season clip against Bakersfield. Both teams last met on March 20, resulting in a 3-2 Thunder shootout loss at Bakersfield. Stockton goaltender Jake Moreland has boosted the Thunder's efforts against the Condors, unbeaten in five of seven appearances (1-2-4) and posting a solid .934 save percentage. The Thunder is in search of its first home win against the Condors.

vs. SAN DIEGO GULLS (Saturday, April 8 * 7:30 p.m. PT)

The Thunder hits the finish line for the 2005-06 and looks to finish on a strong note in front of an anticipated large crowd, looking to build on its 2-3-1 clip against the Gulls (Colorado Avalanche affiliate). Both Thunder wins against San Diego have been clinched in overtime, with the last meeting resulting in a 5-4 overtime loss to San Diego on March 29. Nathan Martz has led the Thunder offense against the Gulls with nine points (2g-7a) in six games.

All games can be heard live on the internet and are available for viewing at a $6 "pay-per-view" rate 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 6:45 p.m. PT Wednesday, and 7:15 p.m. PT on Friday and Saturday.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

WEDNESDAY, 4/5

o NEVER A WASTED TICKET NIGHT Season ticket holders can redeem old tickets for a ticket of the same or lesser value

FRIDAY, 4/7

o GROUP APPRECIATION NIGHT All groups who have previously attended a Thunder game receive $5 admission for upper premium or lower end zone seating

SATURDAY, 4/8

o YOUTH CAP NIGHT (presented by The Record, Bank of Agriculture & Commerce and KWIN-FM) First 2,000 fans (ages 12 and under in attendance) receive a commemorative Thunder cap

Stockton Thunder Weekly Schedule: April 4 - 8 (subject to change; all times Pacific)

Tuesday, April 4 11 a.m.: Practice at Stockton Arena

Wednesday, April 5 10:15 a.m.: Morning skate at Stockton Arena 7 p.m.: Game vs. Alaska Aces (Stockton Arena)

Thursday, April 6 10 a.m.: Practice at Stockton Arena

Friday, April 7 10:15 a.m.: Morning skate at Stockton Arena 7:30 p.m.: Game vs. Bakersfield Condors (Stockton Arena)

Saturday, April 8 10:15 a.m.: Morning skate at Stockton Arena 7:30 p.m.: Game vs. San Diego Gulls (Stockton Arena)

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Aaron Foster is 10 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

TEAM NOTES:

o Right wing Mike Lalonde leads is tied for third in the ECHL amongst rookies with 13 power play goals

o Thunder left wing Ned Havern has scored nine points (4g-5a) in his last five games

o Thunder forward Aaron Foster has scored four goals in his last three games

o Defenseman Geno Parrish has collected 43 points (9g-43a), ranking ninth in the ECHL in scoring amongst defensemen

o The Thunder has drawn crowds of 8,000 or more 10 times this season at Stockton Arena (includes five sellouts)

o Stockton has scored four goals with an extra-skater this season

WEEK IN REVIEW

Tuesday, March 28 STOCKTON 2 vs. Las Vegas 1

The Thunder collected its first win against the Las Vegas Wranglers in team history with a 2-1 victory over the Wranglers last night at Orleans Arena. Aaron MacInnis posted the game-winning goal 9:24 into the third period, while goaltender Jeff Weber held Las Vegas at-bay with 35 saves, including a stoning of all 16 Wrangler shots in the third period. Mike Lalonde scored a late first period goal for the Thunder, while Dan Tudin posted Las Vegas' only goal. The win, Stockton's third in four games, enabled the Thunder to leapfrog Phoenix and Dayton in the ECHL standings.

Wednesday, March 29 SAN DIEGO 5 vs. Stockton 4 (OT)

Thunder forward Aaron Foster collected two goals to spearhead a four-goal comeback, part of a 5-4 overtime loss to the San Diego Gulls at Stockton Arena on Wednesday night. The Thunder trailed 4-0 after one period before blasting away at the Gulls with a three-goal second period, keyed by power play goals from Lance Monych, Foster, and Geno Parrish. Foster tied the game in the third period for his second goal, before Steve Hildenbrand won the game in overtime for San Diego.

Saturday, April 1 LONG BEACH 5 vs. Stockton 4 (OT)

Stockton succumbed to a Long Beach three-goal comeback in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Ice Dogs at Long Beach Arena. Ned Havern led the Thunder offense with two goals, while Havern, Aaron Foster, and Kevin Gardner pushed the Thunder to a 3-0 lead through the first 23 minutes of the game. Long Beach scored four unanswered goals in the comeback, led by forward Sean McAslan's hat trick. Cory Urquhart collected the game-winning goal 25 seconds into overtime.

Sunday, April 2 STOCKTON 2 vs. Fresno 1 (OT)

The Thunder attained its first franchise win in 10 tries against the Fresno Falcons in a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory at Stockton Arena, powered by Geno Parrish's game-winning marker with 38.8 seconds remaining in overtime. Thunder goaltender Jake Moreland and counterpart Jamie Holden engaged in a scoreless duel through the game's first 38 minutes, before Shawn Weiman put Fresno ahead with a late second period goal. Aaron Foster evened the game for Stockton early in the third period, before Kevin Gardner set up Parrish in front for the overtime heroics.



ECHL Stories from April 3, 2006


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