Game Preview: Stockton Thunder At Alaska Aces

Published on December 11, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


December 11, 2009 - Sullivan Arena

FACEOFF: 8:15 p.m.

RADIO: 1420-AM KSTN

INTERNET: www.StocktonThunder.com (B2 Networks)

MILESTONE TRACKER

o Judd Blackwater is 11 games away from 100 in his professional career

o Kelly Czuy is 24 points away from 100 in his professional career

o Igor Gongalsky is 24 points away from 100 in his professional career

o Brett Hemingway is 3 points away from 100 in his pro career and 5 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

o Matt Robinson is 9 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

2009-10 HEAD-TO-HEAD SERIES

Fri. Nov. 6 Alaska 4 at Stockton 3 (OT)

Sat. Nov. 7 Alaska 5 at Stockton 4 (OT)

Fri. Dec. 11 @ Alaska 8:15 p.m.

Sat. Dec. 12 @ Alaska 8:15 p.m.

Sun. Dec. 13 @ Alaska 6:05 p.m.

Fri. Jan. 22 Alaska 7:30 p.m.

Sat. Jan. 23 Alaska 7:30 p.m.

Sun. Jan. 31 Alaska 4:00 p.m.

Fri. Apr. 2 @ Alaska 8:15 p.m.

Sat. Apr. 3 @ Alaska 8:15 p.m.

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP

Following two thrilling victories over the Pacific Division's first place Bakersfield Condors, the Stockton Thunder returns to the road tonight for a seven-game road trip that lasts from Dec. 11-26. The road trip embarks Friday against the Alaska Aces at Sullivan Arena to begin a stretch of three games in three days. The Thunder all-time time record is 13-13-7 against the Aces while going unbeaten in regulation for the last nine games (6-0-2) against Alaska. After failing to win a game at "The Sully" for the first two seasons (stretch of six games), the Thunder has gone 5-2-1 in the last seven lifetime games at Sullivan Arena and was unbeaten in regulation for three games (2-0-1) in Anchorage last season.

LAST 3 THUNDER GAMES

STK 3 - BAK 2 (OT) (12/5/09): Right winger J.F. Caudron scored his second straight overtime goal in as many games to lift the Thunder to a two-game sweep over the Bakersfield Condors in a 3-2 overtime victory, before 5,438 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday night. The Thunder, who never trailed in the game and improved to 2-1-0 in the head-to-head series over the first place Condors, were supported by goaltender Bryan Pitton's 26 saves. Pitton's brother, Jason, scored a first period goal and Matt Robinson scored his second goal in as many games for the Thunder. Andrew Ianiero and Adam Naglich scored for the Condors.

STK 6 - BAK 5 (OT) (12/4/09): Right winger J.F. Caudron capped a four-point effort (2g-2a) with a game-winning goal just 52 seconds into sudden death overtime, lifting the Thunder to a wild, 6-5 overtime victory over the Bakersfield Condors before 5,104 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday night. Caudron and Oren Eizenman (2g-2a) had four points each to lead the Thunder in a season-high six-goal effort, while newcomers Brett Hemingway and Matt Robinson each scored in their Thunder debut. Goaltender Bryan Pitton stopped 41 shots for the win.

IDH 5 - STK 1 (11/28/09): Ashton Rome collected a hat trick and goaltender Richard Bachman made 27 saves to help the Idaho Steelheads sweep the Thunder in a three-game series for a 5-1 decision before 6,011 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday night. The Thunder, who despite carry a 5-3-2 record against its ECHL schedule sans Idaho (who have won nine in a row against the Thunder this year), received its only goal from Judd Blackwater in the first period. Evan Barlow and Mathieu Tousignant also scored for the Steelheads, who carry the league's best record at 16-3-1.

ONE IN A MILLION

The Thunder named Kim Cuevas of Stockton the winner of its "One Millionth Fan" award on Dec. 4 against Bakersfield. The contest began on Oct. 23 in the official countdown to search for one millionth fan to cross the turnstiles of Stockton Arena in the Thunder's five year history. Cuevas was selected as fans entered Stockton Arena before last night's game and was awarded an array of prizes, including a vacation stay at Yosemite Lodge (Yosemite National Park), 2010-11 season tickets and an Amtrak train trip to Salt Lake City to see the Thunder face the Utah Grizzlies.

REUNION TOUR

Four players on the Thunder roster return to Anchorage this weekend with playing connections to the state of Alaska. Forwards Brett Hemingway (2007-09) and Matt Robinson (2006-08) skated for the Alaska Aces for two full seasons - Hemingway was a part of last year's team that advanced to the Kelly Cup Finals and led the National Conference with 93 points (45-24-3). Friday's game is their first at Sullivan Arena since the two suited up for Alaska. Two additional players return as alum to the University of Alaska-Fairbanks: forward Kelly Czuy (2002-06) and rookie defenseman Steve Vanoosten (2005-09).

SMASHING DEBUTS

The Thunder roster experienced a change comprising of eight transactions in a three-day span, producing offensively-fueled debuts on Dec. 4 for former Alaska Aces forwards Brett Hemingway (1 goal) and Matt Robinson (1 goal), who were signed as free agents and defensemen Anthony Aiello and Justin Dacosta (2 assists), who were acquired in trades with Florida and Utah, respectively, on Dec. 2. Additionally, Hemingway was on the ice for J.F. Caudron's game-winning goal at 52 seconds of sudden-death overtime.

THUNDER CROWDS ROLLING IN

The Thunder leads ECHL attendance with an average of 5,914 fans per game and is vying to tie a league record by leading the league in attendance for five straight seasons. The Thunder led the ECHL in attendance last year with an average of 6,218 fans through 36 home games. Stockton has 14 sellouts in the team's franchise history and drew a standing room only crowd of 9,392 on Nov. 8 vs. Alaska. Last year, the Thunder became the first team since 2004-05 to lead the ECHL in attendance for four straight seasons (Florida led the ECHL in attendance for five straight seasons - 2000-05).

THUNDER BOOMS IN "THE SHOW"

On Nov. 28, goaltender Devan Dubnyk became the seventh player to suit up in a Thunder uniform and advance to make his NHL debut. Dubnyk represented the Thunder in the 2007 ECHL All-Star Game and set Thunder single-season records for wins (24), minutes played (2,529), lowest goals-against-average (2.56) and save percentage (.921) in 2006-07. He made his debut against the Vancouver Canucks. It came one day after Colin McDonald became the sixth player to don a Thunder uniform and eventually make his NHL debut, against San Jose.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"You don't necessarily expect players to come in and do this in their first game, but it's great the new guys came out and contributed," Thomas said. "And Caudron has been here a few games and he had a great game. It's just one game, but we needed this."

- Head coach Matt Thomas after the Thunder 6-5 overtime win vs. Bakersfield, The Record, 12/5/09

"These wins will give us confidence," Caudron said. "And confidence is everything in hockey."

- Right winger J.F. Caudron after the Thunder 3-2 overtime win vs. Bakersfield, The Record, 12/6/09

OILING UP THE SHIP

For the fourth consecutive season, Stockton will serve as the AA minor-league affiliate for Oilers prospects. Since the Thunder and Oilers began their partnership in 2006-07, the Thunder has advanced to the Kelly Cup Playoffs three consecutive years and seven former Thunder players - goaltender Devan Dubnyk, right wing Colin McDonald, center Ryan O'Marra, right wing Troy Bodie, center Tim Sestito, left wing Liam Reddox and defenseman Bryan Young - have advanced to the NHL.

Players with the Thunder that have been assigned this year through the Oilers AHL affiliate, the Springfield Falcons:

Andrew Perugini (G)

Bryan Pitton (G)

Jordan Bendfeld (D)

James Bates (RW)

Kelly Czuy (RW)

Riley Emmerson (RW)

Bryan Young (D)

LETTER JACKET

Center Craig Valette was named the fourth captain in Thunder history on Oct. 15 (Dean Stork, Brad Farynuk and Matt O'Dette). He served as acting captain during nine games of the Kelly Cup Playoffs last year after an injury to O'Dette, the captain for 08-09. With alternate captains Bryan Young and Kenny MacAulay currently playing in the AHL, Thunder forward Igor Gongalsky and defenseman Daryl Marcoux are serving as alternate captains in their place.

ROSTER SHUFFLES FOR ACES

Before Friday's game, the Thunder announced the following series of transactions:

Ryan Constant (D) activated off injured reserve

Garet Hunt (LW) transferred from the 3-day to 7-day injured reserve list

Riley Emmerson (RW) placed on the 3-day injured reserve list

Matt O'Dette (D) placed on the 21-day injured reserve list

Matt Pamidi (G) released (emergency backup goaltender status)

Jeff Barney (G) signed as emergency backup goaltender

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ECHL Stories from December 11, 2009


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