Game Preview: Stockton Thunder At Alaska Aces

Published on December 12, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


December 12, 2009 - Sullivan Arena

FACEOFF: 8:15 p.m.

RADIO: 1420-AM KSTN

INTERNET: www.StocktonThunder.com (B2 Networks)

MILESTONE TRACKER

o Judd Blackwater is 10 games away from 100 in his professional career

o Kelly Czuy is 23 points away from 100 in his professional career

o Igor Gongalsky is 23 points away from 100 in his professional career

o Brett Hemingway is 2 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

o Matt Robinson is 7 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 Stockton 6 at Alaska 4

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

The Stockton Thunder, currently on a three-game winning streak, returns to play tonight at Alaska in the midst of a seven-game road trip that lasts from Dec. 11-26. The teams face off this weekend for three games in three nights. The Thunder all-time time record is 14-13-7 against the Aces while going unbeaten in regulation for the last ten games (7-0-3) against Alaska. After failing to win a game at "The Sully" for the first two seasons (stretch of six games), the Thunder has gone 6-2-1 in the last nine lifetime games at Sullivan Arena and is unbeaten in the last four games (3-0-1) at Sullivan Arena.

LAST 3 THUNDER GAMES

STK 6 - AK 4 (12/11/09): Former Alaska Aces forwards Brett Hemingway and Matt Robinson combined for five points (3g-2a) in their first return to Anchorage as opposing players to help lift the Stockton Thunder (8-11-3, 19 points) to their third straight win in a 6-4 victory over Alaska before 5,780 at Sullivan Arena on Friday. Hemingway, who was released by the Aces in November, led the Thunder offense with a goal and two assists and buried a go-ahead goal in the third period. Robinson, who returned to Anchorage for the first time since the 2008-09 season, scored two goals in the first period. Kelly Czuy scored the game-winning goal and Justin Dacosta scored his first ECHL goal.

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.

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, all with offensive production in Friday night's win. Forwards Brett Hemingway (2007-09) and Matt Robinson (2006-08) skated for the Alaska Aces for two full seasons and combined for five points (3g-2a). 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), who had the game-winning goal and rookie defenseman Steve Vanoosten (2005-09), an assist on a Hemingway third period goal.

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).

POWER TRIP

The Thunder power-play leads the ECHL at 24.1 percent (27-for-112) and is the best unit on the road this season, converting at 30.4 percent (14-for-46). On Friday, the Thunder went 1-for-7 on the man-advantage against Alaska. Judd Blackwater has six power-play goals, leading the Thunder and currently tied for the ECHL lead.

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