First Road Trip At Utah Awaits

November 27, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT: (all times PT)

at UTAH GRIZZLIES

Wednesday - 6:05 p.m. - 1420 KSTN, B2 Networks

Friday - 6:05 p.m. - 1420 KSTN (joined in progress), B2 Networks

Saturday- 6:05 p.m. - B2 Networks

After an 8-3 loss that sent the Thunder into a 1-5-1 funk through its last seven games, a three-game road trip to frigid Salt Lake City awaits, where the Thunder went 3-0-0 last season at The E-Center. The Thunder has a 7-6-0 all-time record against Utah and went 6-1-0 against the Grizzlies last year. Utah is 4-2-0 at home this season, led by the recent hot streak of rookie forward Keith Johnson, who is on a five-game point-scoring streak, tallying 11 points (7g-4a) in that span.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

FRIDAY, 12/7 vs. Las Vegas

- Player Photo Series (presented by KHOP 95.1 & In-Shape Health Clubs) All fans in attendance receive a photo sporting this year's Thunder goaltenders

- I Am Here! Night (presented by Food 4 Less, 97.7 KWIN & Chase Chevrolet) Students who met attendance goals in participating Stockton-area schools receive free tickets to tonight's game

Family Day (presented by Alpine Meats & 99.3 KJOY) $34 family upper premium / end zone admission (four tickets, two hot dogs, two hockey pucks) with premium admission coupon available by visiting Stockton-area grocery stores

SATURDAY, 12/8 vs. Las Vegas

Back Pack Night presented by (News10, Pepsi, Metro PCS & 97.7 KWIN) The first 2,000 kids (ages 12 and under) in attendance receive a Thunder backpack

- I Am Here! Night (presented by Food 4 Less, 97.7 KWIN & Chase Chevrolet) Students who met attendance goals in participating regional schools free tickets to tonight's game

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Chris Cichocki is 10 wins shy of 200 in his ECHL coaching career

o Mark Adamek is 9 games shy of 100 in his professional career

o Phil Cole is 10 games shy of 300 in his professional career

o Andy Contois is 6 games shy of 100 in his professional career

o Brian Lee is 10 games shy of 100 in his professional career

TEAM NOTES:

o Jacob Micflikier is third in ECHL rookie scoring with 20 points (6g-14a)

o Jacob Micflikier is tied for fourth among ECHL rookies with 14 assists

o Stockton leads the ECHL in attendance with 50,420 fans (7,203 average)

o Stockton is tied for the ECHL lead with 5 shorthanded goals

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, with prizes, broadcast-interactive contests and more scheduled for all road games this week.

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.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Wednesday, November 21 (Alaska 8 - Stockton 5)

Defenseman Corbin Schmidt scored two power-play goals and left winger Matt Robinson tallied a goal and added two assists to lift the Alaska Aces to an 8-5 victory over the Thunder in front of a crowd of 5,118 fans at Stockton Arena on Wednesday night. Jacob Micflikier tallied three points (1g-2a) on the night, tying a career-high. Alaska rallied from a 2-0 deficit, with both teams combining for 13 goals, a new Thunder record (both teams scored 12 in a 7-5 Alaska win on 4/5/06).

Friday, November 23 (Stockton 4 - Alaska 3)

Rookie left wing Jacob Micflikier scored a goal, added an assist which included an eventual third period game-winning goal, capping a two-goal comeback for the Thunder in the third period in a 4-3 victory over the Alaska Aces in front of 7,011 at Stockton Arena on Friday night. The Thunder was the first team since March 2004 to send Alaska to a loss in regulation after leading through two periods. Cam Ellsworth stopped 20 shots in net for the Thunder, while Jonas Almtorp, Pat Bateman and Brian Lee also scored for the Thunder.

Saturday, November 24 (Utah 8 - Stockton 3)

Forward Keith Johnson scored a hat-trick and tallied two assists, and left winger Trevor Smith and center Tyler Haskins each recorded a goal and three assists to lead the Utah Grizzlies to an 8-3 win over the Thunder before a crowd of 7,459 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday night. Utah raced out to a 3-0 lead after one period. The Thunder received goals from Jonas Almtorp, Jesse Bennefield and Ryan Geris.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

(courtesy of The Record)

"I'm proud of these guys. They played hard for 60 minutes, and all that I ask is that they play hard. This was a tough test."

- Head Coach Chris Cichocki after a 4-3 comeback win against Alaska last Friday

"It's an honor, and I take the job very seriously. I'm not a big talker; I try to lead with my play. But there are a lot of leaders in this (locker) room, whether they wear a letter or not. And we all have to pitch in."

- Brandon Schwartz, who was named acting captain after Brad Farynuk, named second captain in Thunder history, was called up to Springfield of the AHL

"Everyone has to buy into the coach's system and stop improvising out there. When we don't work together, it shows against good teams."

- Schwartz on the putting recent losses behind the Thunder's game-day mentality



ECHL Stories from November 27, 2007


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