Game Preview: Stockton Thunder At Fresno Falcons

Published on December 20, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


FACEOFF: 7:35 p.m. PT
SITE: Selland Arena
RADIO: None
INTERNET: www.stocktonthunder.com (B2 Networks)

2008-09 HEAD TO HEAD SERIES
10/18/08 Fresno 3 at Stockton 2
11/14/08 Stockton 4 at Fresno 5 (SO)
11/29/08 Fresno 4 at Stockton 2
12/7/08 Stockton 3 at Fresno 4 (OT)
12/16/08 Stockton 3 at Fresno 1
12/19/08 Stockton 3 at Fresno 2 (SO)
12/20/08 Stockton @ Fresno
2/6/08 Stockton vs. Fresno
2/7/08 Stockton vs. Fresno
3/20/08 Stockton vs. Fresno

MILESTONE TRACKER

o Mike Lalonde needs 1 point to become the Thunder all-time leading scorer (surpassing Nathan Martz)
o Ryan MacMurchy is 1 game away from 100 in his professional career
o Cory Urquhart is 14 goals away from 100 in his ECHL career
o Craig Valette is 13 points away from 100 in his professional career

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP

Thunder faces their Pacific Division rival Fresno Falcons in the final of three consecutive meetings this week, marking the 7th meeting between the clubs in 2008-09. The Thunder is 9-20-6 lifetime against the Falcons and is 2-0-2 at Selland Arena this season. A milestone watch is casted on third-year Thunder forward Mike Lalonde, who needs just one point (goal or assist) to become the all-time leading scorer in Thunder history. Cory Urquhart leads the Thunder in scoring vs. Fresno this season with 7 points (2g-5a) in 5 games.

LAST THREE THUNDER GAMES

12/19/08 - STK 3 at FRE 2 (SO): David Rohlfs' goal in the 10th round of the shootout lifted the Thunder to its second consecutive victory, edging the Fresno Falcons 3-2 in front of 2,796 at Selland Arena on Friday night. Thunder goaltender Bryan Pitton made 36 saves and received offensive support on goals by Cory Urquhart and Mike Salekin. Fresno had a goal each from Jarrett Konkle and Dan Bertram while Joe Fallon made 23 saves. Mike Lalonde tied Nathan Martz for the Thunder career scoring lead with an assist on Urquhart's goal.

12/16/08 - STK 3 at FRE 1: Rookie Ryan Huddy scored two goals and goaltender Bryan Pitton made 28 saves to lift the Thunder to a 3-1 victory over the Fresno Falcons before a crowd of 2,244 at Selland Arena on Tuesday night. The Thunder, who captured their first win in the head-to-head season series and first ever at Selland Arena, were supported by a goal from veteran Craig Valette in his return to the Thunder lineup. Stockton finished 1-for-5 on the power-play. It was the first victory for the Thunder on a season-long eight-game road trip.

12/13/08 - STK 3 at UTA 5: The Utah Grizzlies rallied for four goals over the final 21 minutes of play, highlighted by Evan Kotsopoulos' shorthanded goal in the third period to edge the Thunder in a 5-3 win before a crowd of 3,748 at The E-Center. The loss stretches the Thunder's winless streak to four consecutive games, who fell to 0-2-1 on a season-long eight game road trip and received a goal each by Mike Lalonde, Brandon Scero and Ryan Huddy. Rookie goaltender Andrew Perugini made 34 saves in the losing cause while counterpart Michael Mole stopped 24 shots.

STEP UP TO THE MIKE

Returning to the lineup this season is left wing Mike Lalonde, who is the Thunder all-time leading goal scorer with 59 goals. Selected as the first player in Thunder history to the ECHL All-Star Game (2006), Lalonde led the ECHL with 308 shots and paced the Thunder with 29 goals as a rookie in 2005-06. Lalonde spent last season with Tilburg of the Netherlands League, guiding his team to the Dutch Cup and scoring 92 points (43g-49a) in just 34 games.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from December 20, 2008


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