Game Preview: Stockton Thunder at Bakersfield Condors

Published on October 29, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


DATE: Friday, October 29, 2010

TIME: 7:00 p.m.

SITE: Rabobank Arena

RADIO: 1280 AM KWSX/StocktonThunder.com (AmericaOne)

NHL AFFILIATES

Stockton Thunder: Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks

Bakersfield Condors: Minnesota Wild

NEXT HOME GAME

Friday, November 5 vs. Bakersfield Condors, 7:30 p.m.

THUNDER GOES PINK V (presented by St. Joseph's Medical Center in association with Delta Blood Bank, Antonini Freight Express and Union Bank)

METRO PCS FREE FRIDAY

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP

The Thunder returns to play for its only game of the week on Friday, visiting the Bakersfield Condors at Rabobank Arena in the first of 11 meetings between both clubs. The Thunder, looking for its third consecutive win, is 17-17-10 lifetime against the Condors through six seasons and went 6-4-2 in the season series last year, additionally eliminating Bakersfield in the second round (National Conference Semifinal) of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Chris D'Alvise scored seven goals against Bakersfield last year to lead Stockton in the head-to-head series.

LAST THREE GAMES:

STK 3 - ONT 2 (SO) (10/23/10): Jason Pitton forced overtime with a shorthanded goal and followed up with the game-winner in the fifth round of a shootout to boost the Thunder to a come-from-behind, 3-2 win over the Ontario Reign at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Saturday. The Thunder, who spoiled Ontario's home opener, swept the Reign during a two-game weekend series and got additional goal-scoring help on a second period goal by Jesse Gimblett. Goaltender Tyson Sexsmith also secured his second consecutive win with 25 saves.

STK 3 - ONT 1 (10/22/10): Goaltender Tyson Sexsmith made 23 saves and the Stockton Thunder capitalized on three power play goals en route to a 3-1 victory over the Ontario Reign, before a crowd of 4,577 at Stockton Arena on Friday night. Chris Lawrence, Chris D'Alvise and Aaron Clarke all scored and the Thunder, who earned its first win of the regular season, kept Ontario blanked through 40 minutes. The Thunder penalty kill also kept Ontario to a 1-for-9 clip as well.

ONT 5 - STK 4 (OT) (10/16/10): Chaz Johnson's snap shot goal with 1:07 remaining in sudden death overtime capped a stunning comeback by the Ontario Reign, who edged the Stockton Thunder (0-1-1, 1 point) in sudden death overtime, 5-4 before 5,769 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday nig ht. The Thunder, who gained its first point of the season by forcing overtime with the help of Chris D'Alvise's two assists, had a pair of two goal leads disappear despite a 13-3 edge in shots on goal early in the game. Jeff Corey also chipped in for Ontario with a goal and an assist.

SEASON SERIES

Fri. Oct. 29 at Bakersfield 7:00 p.m.

Fri. Nov. 5 Bakersfield 7:30 p.m.

Sat. Nov. 6 Bakersfield 7:30 p.m.

Sun. Nov. 7 Bakersfield 4:00 p.m.

Fri. Dec. 10 at Bakersfield 7:30 p.m.

Sun. Dec. 26 at Bakersfield TBA

Mon. Dec. 27 at Bakersfield 7:00 p.m.

Wed. Jan. 12 Bakersfield 7:00 p.m.

Tue. Feb. 22 Bakersfield 7:00 p.m.

Fri. Feb. 25 at Bakersfield 7:00 p.m.

Sat. Feb. 26 at Bakersfield 7:00 p.m.

BRINGING SEXY BACK

Thunder goaltender Tyson Sexsmith, selected by the San Jose Sharks in the third round (91st overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, was named Reebok Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week on Oct. 26. Sexsmith had a .941 save percentage and was 2-0-0 in two games last week against the Ontario Reign, winning 3-1 in Stockton on Oct. 22 (23 saves) and 3-2 in a shootout at Ontario the next night (25 saves and 4 of 5 saves in shootout). He is the fourth goaltender in Thunder history to receive the weekly award, who have all combined for six awards total.

UPCOMING MILESTONES

Chris Lawrence is 13 games away from 200 in his professional career

Aaron Clarke is 5 games away from 200 in his professional career

Ryan Constant is 15 points away from 200 in his professional career

THUNDER CROWDS ROLL IN

An exclusive club, the Thunder averaged over 6,000 fans per game a nd drew over 200,000 fans at the gate for the fifth straight year in 2009-10. The Thunder drew 217,098 fans (6,031 average) in 36 regular season games at Stockton Arena and ranked third overall this season in ECHL attendance, only surpassed by the second-year Ontario Reign (led ECHL with 232,223 fans) and the first-year Toledo Walleye (second with 226,575 fans). The Thunder has drawn 14 sellouts in the team's franchise history, welcomed its one millionth fan last season along with a draw of five crowds of 8,000 fans or more.

TOP FIVE HOME CROWDS IN 2009-10

OPPONENT DATE ATTENDANCE

1. Alaska 11/7/09 9,392*

2. Victoria 1/30/10 9,158

3. Utah 3/20/10 8,518

4. Las Vegas 3/27/10 8,053

5. Victoria 3/6/10 8,042

* Denotes sellout

HAIL TO THE CHIEF

Thunder head coach Matt Thomas is the third winningest coach in the last decade in the ECHL (among active coaches), entering the year with a lifetime .606 win percentage (234-143-54 record) in six seasons as a head coach for Stockton, Fresno and Atlantic City. Thomas also has never missed the playoffs, won a Kelly Cup championship in 2002-03 as an assistant coach with Atlantic City, has been named coach for the ECHL All-Star Game twice (2005, 2009) and has been behind the bench in a coaching role for teams that advanced to the Conference Finals three times.

ALL-TIME WINS, REGULAR SEASON (2000-2010)

COACH WINS

1. Jeff Pyle (Gwinnett, Mobile) * 348

2. Malcolm Cameron (four teams) * 298

3. Davis Payne (Alaska, Pee-Dee) 289

4. Glen Gulutzan (Las Vegas) 254

5. Matt Thomas (Stockton, Fre, A.C.) * 235

* Currently ECHL active

THIS IS THUNDER/SHARKS TERRITORY

This summer saw the Stockton Thunder announce an affiliation partnership in conjunction with the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League. The Thunder, who is a dual affiliate of San Jose and the Edmonton Oilers, are separated by only 80 miles of geographic distance from San Jose. As hockey neighbors, both clubs also share similar honors in sports and entertainment. The Thunder is a two-time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," and the Sharks recently finished as the 12th best overall franchise in ESPN's "Ultimate Standings," ranking all major sports franchises according to how much they give back to fans for all of time, money and emotion invested by each fan (conducted by ESPN: The Magazine). Both Stockton and San Jose advanced to their respective league's Conference Final playoff round last season.

OILING UP THE SHIP AGAIN

The Thunder and Edmonton Oilers renewed an affiliation partnership for the fifth consecutive season, continuing a pipeline to the NHL that has seen seven former members of the Thunder make their NHL debut since beginning in the Oilers farm system. Right wing Troy Bodie, goaltender Devan Dubnyk, right wing Colin McDonald, center Ryan O'Marra, center Tim Sestito, left wing Liam Reddox and defenseman Bryan Young - have gone on to play in the NHL. The Oilers, a member of the NHL's Western Conference and Northwest Division, have been a member of the National Hockey League since the 1979-80 season and have captured five Stanley Cup championships.

ROSTER SERVES A TALL ORDER

Ten players on the Thunder active roster measure at 6-foot-1 or taller: Anthony Aiello (6-1), Cameron Brodie (6-1), Jesse Gimblett (6-3), Chris Lawrence (6-4), Jim McKenzie (6-2), Jason Pitton (6-2), Chase Ryan (6-2), Steve Vanoosten (6-1), Craig Valette (6-1) and Travis Yonkman (6-1).

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