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Game Preview: Stockton Thunder At Bakersfield Condors

December 28, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


DATE: Friday, December 28, 2012

TIME: 7:00 p.m.

SITE: Rabobank Arena

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

NHL AFFILIATES

Stockton Thunder: Edmonton Oilers

Bakersfield Condors: Independent

NEXT HOME GAME

Saturday, Dec. 29 vs. Las Vegas Wranglers (7:30 p.m.)

MINI-THOR BOBBLEHEAD GIVEAWAY (presented by Pepsi and 97.7/98.3 KWIN)

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP

The Stockton Thunder meets the Bakersfield Condors tonight Rabobank Arena, finishing a season long six game road trip. It will be the eighth of 11 meetings between both teams this season and the Thunder has dominated the series so far with a 5-1-1 record. They carry a record of 34-28-13 against Bakersfield and defeated Bakersfield last night, 4-2 at Rabobank Arena. The game matches Thunder head coach Matt Thomas against Bakersfield counterpart Matt O'Dette - previously a Thunder defenseman, captain and assistant coach from 2008-11. Thomas has the upper hand in the matchup with a lifetime 13-6-1 record.

2012-2013 Head to Head Schedule: (5-1-1)

Sat. Oct. 27 Stockton 4 at Bakersfield 3

Sun. Oct. 28 Bakersfield 2 at Stockton 3 (OT)

Fri. Nov. 2 Bakersfield 1 at Stockton 6

Fri. Nov. 23 Bakersfield 3 at Stockton 6

Sat. Dec. 1 Bakersfield 5 at Stockton 4 (SO)

Sun. Dec. 9 Stockton 1 at Bakersfield 4

Thur. Dec. 27 Stockton 4 at Bakersfield 2

Fri. Dec. 28 at Bakersfield 7:00 p.m.

Tue. Feb. 5 at Bakersfield 7:00 p.m.

Thur. Feb. 21 at Bakersfield 7:00 p.m.

Sun. Mar. 17 Bakersfield 4:00 p.m.

NOTE OF THE NIGHT

The Thunder is 9-0-2 when leading after one period this season.

LAST THREE GAMES:

STK 4 - BAK 2 (12/27/12): Matt Bergland collected a goal and an assist while goaltender Tyler Bunz made 29 saves to help the Stockton Thunder (16-9-6, 38 points) boom past the Bakersfield Condors in a 4-2 victory before 3,332 fans at Rabobank Arena on Thursday. Four unanswered goals powered the Thunder attack and Bergland was joined by Toni Rajala, Teigan Zahn and Phil Mangan, who each contributed with a goal. Bunz snapped a 0-5-3 streak with the win and made 23 saves in the final 40 minutes.

AK 4 - STK 1 (12/22/12): Nick Mazzolini collected three assists to boost the Alaska Aces offense, en route to a 4-1 win over the Stockton Thunder (15-9-6, 36 points) before 5,819 fans at Sullivan Arena on Saturday. The Thunder, swept in a three game series in Anchorage, were led offensively by Mike Little's goal in the third period. Yannick Riendeau had an assist on Little's power play goal, giving him 18 points in the last 14 games.

AK 5 - STK 1 (12/21/12): The Alaska Aces used multi point games from Scott Gomez, Kane Lafranchise and Alexandre Imbeault to send the Stockton Thunder (15-8-6, 36 points) to a 5-1 defeat before 4,889 fans at Sullivan Arena on Saturday. The Thunder, who nearly rallied out of a 3-0 deficit in the third period, collected a power play goal by Eric Hunter. Alaska followed up with consecutive goals by Gomez and Imbeault to put the game away. Gerald Coleman made 26 saves in net to earn the win.

COVERED WITH OIL

The Edmonton Oilers return as the NHL affiliate of the Thunder for the seventh straight season, helping advance eight players from the Thunder onto playing in the National Hockey League. The Thunder has also never missed the playoffs since first connecting with the Oilers in 2006-07. Edmonton has won five Stanley Cup championships and sent seven players onto induction in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Among the players assigned to Stockton, beginning this season, was LW Philippe Cornet, who made his NHL debut with Edmonton and led the AHL affiliate Oklahoma City Barons with 24 goals last season.

NO LITTLE ACCOMPLISHMENT

Thunder defenseman Mike Little played in his 100th career ECHL game last night at Bakersfield and helped out offensively with an assist in a 4-2 Thunder win. Little was named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team last season and was the first selection in Thunder history.

JUSTIN TIME

Center Justin Maylan is tied for the ECHL rookie lead in scoring with 27 points this season in 29 games. He has collected seven points in the last ten games. Maylan has also posted seven multi point games.

ROLLING IN THE (RIEN)DEAU

Forward Yannick Riendeau has 19 points in the last 15 games and has posted eight multi point games this season. He earned an assist last night at Bakersfield and is on a seven game assist streak at home.

PLAYING THE REICHARD

Thunder goaltender Cody Reichard became the 11th goaltender in Thunder history to earn the ECHL Goaltender of the Week award when he took the honor on Dec. 11. Reichard posted a record of 2-0-1, a 2.30 goals-against average and a .966 save percentage for the week of Dec. 3-9.

AN OFFENSE DRESSED TO THE NINES

The Thunder tied a club record for most goals in a game (9) on Nov. 12 in a 9-6 victory at Utah, matching the record previously set on Dec. 10, 2011 against Bakersfield. The Thunder also notched a season high for most goals (5) in a period, accomplishing the feat in the second period at Maverik Center on Nov. 12. The Thunder is averaging 3.5 goals per game this season, tied for fifth in the ECHL.

OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN

Garet Hunt was named the sixth captain in Thunder history on Oct. 12, taking the "C" for the first time in his career for full-time duty. Hunt served as an alternate captain for the Thunder last season and has helped guide the team to the playoffs for four straight seasons since his 2008-09 rookie campaign. Hunt is the Thunder all time leader with 274 games played.

UPCOMING MILESTONES

- Ryan Constant is 4 assists away from 100 in his professional career

- Yannick Riendeau is 11 assists away from 100 in his professional career

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ECHL Stories from December 28, 2012


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