Game Preview: Stockton Thunder at Idaho Steelheads

Published on November 10, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


DATE: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 TIME: 6:10 p.m. SITE: Qwest Arena RADIO: 1280 AM KWSX/StocktonThunder.com (AmericaOne) WATCH PARTY: Fat's Grill (www.FatsGrill.com)

NHL AFFILIATES Stockton Thunder: Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks Idaho Steelheads: Dallas Stars

NEXT HOME GAME Thursday, November 18 vs. Idaho Steelheads, 7:00 p.m.

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP The Stockton Thunder starts a three-game road trip on Wednesday visiting the Idaho Steelheads, the first rematch since the two teams faced each other in last year's National Conference Final. The Thunder is 1-0-1 on the road this year and last year, won two of the final three games in the head-to-head season series in Boise. Stockton was defeated by Idaho, 4-2 in the best-of-seven playoff series. All-time, the Thunder is 17-25-3 against Idaho. Nearly 20 players combined between both teams are back from last year.

LAST THREE GAMES: STK 4 - BAK 0 (11/7/10): Goaltenders Tyson Sexsmith and Bryan Pitton combined to stop all 19 shots faced, to help the Thunder sweep the Bakersfield Condors in a three-game series during "Thunder Goes Pink V," in a 4-0 victory before 5,021 fans at Stockton Arena. Sexsmith, who left the game with 4:36 left in the third period after a fight with counterpart Josh Tordjman in a fight between both goaltenders, improved to 3-1-2 in the season with 16 saves. The Thunder improved to 5-0-2 in the last seven games and drew over 20,000 fans during the three game benefit series at Stockton Arena, to raise funds for breast cancer awareness. The Thunder went 3-for-8 on the power-play and Steve Vanoosten, Ryan Constant, Aaron Clarke and Anthony Aiello all scored for the Thunder.

STK 4 - BAK 2 (11/7/10): Chris D'Alvise notched his third career hat trick and the Thunder never trailed in a game that featured a three-goal rally in the final six minutes of regulation, taking over sole possession of first place in the Pacific Division in a 4-2 victory over the Bakersfield Condors before 9,015 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday. The Thunder, who improved to 4-0-2 in the last six games, continued a breast cancer benefit event, "Thunder Goes Pink V" and were also aided on a game-winning goal by Bretton Cameron in the third period, his first pro goal.

STK 7 - BAK 0 (11/6/10): Goaltender Bryan Pitton earned his second career shutout with 19 saves and his brother, Jason, recorded a goal, assist and a fight to help the Thunder rout the Bakersfield Condors in a 7-0 victory to open "Thunder Goes Pink V," before 6,707 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday. The Thunder, who opened the three-game, three-day event to raise funds through ticket and auction proceeds, benefiting breast cancer awareness, were helped by a two-goal game from Jesse Gimblett and additional goals from Craig Valette, Fraser Clair, Chris D'Alvise and Chris Lawrence.

SEASON SERIES (Thunder is 0-0-0) Wed. Nov. 10 at Idaho 6:10 p.m. Fri. Nov. 12 at Idaho 6:10 p.m. Sat. Nov. 13 at Idaho 6:10 p.m. Thur. Nov. 18 Idaho 7:00 p.m. Sat. Nov. 20 Idaho 7:30 p.m. Fri. Jan. 28 Idaho 7:30 p.m. Sat. Jan. 29 Idaho 7:30 p.m. Sun. Jan. 30 Idaho 4:00 p.m. Fri. Mar. 18 Idaho 7:30 p.m. Sat. Mar. 19 Idaho 7:30 p.m. Sun. Mar. 20 Idaho 4:00 p.m.

UPCOMING MILESTONES Chris Lawrence is 11 games away from 200 in his professional career Aaron Clarke is 1 game away from 200 in his professional career Ryan Constant is 12 points away from 200 in his professional career

SO WE MEET AGAIN ... The Thunder and Idaho Steelheads renew acquaintances after last year's Conference Final. The Thunder was defeated by Idaho, 4-2 in the best-of-seven series. Idaho advanced onto the Kelly Cup Final with the series victory. Stockton achieved its deepest playoff run in team history with a berth in the Conference Final. Ryan Constant, Jason Pitton, Steve Vanoosten and Anthony Aiello all scored four points in the series to lead the returning players in scoring.

THUNDER CROWDS ROLL IN The Thunder currently is third in ECHL attendance with an average of 6,201 fans per game. An exclusive club, the Thunder averaged over 6,000 fans per game, led the league in box office draw for four straight years (2005-09) and drew over 200,000 fans at the gate for the fifth straight year in 2009-10. 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. A season high of 9,015 fans were in attendance in Saturday's home game vs. Bakersfield.

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) * 352 2. Malcolm Cameron (four teams) * 301 3. Davis Payne (Alaska, Pee-Dee) 289 4. Glen Gulutzan (Las Vegas) 254 5. Matt Thomas (Stockton, Fre, A.C.) * 238 * Currently ECHL active

WELCOME BACK On Tuesday, the Thunder received left wing Garet Hunt back from loan to the Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey League after earning a spot on the Sharks opening night roster on a professional tryout agreement (PTO). Hunt, 23, was the Thunder leader in penalty minutes last season (215) and has won the Thunder "Fan Favorite" award each of the last two seasons. He now boosts the Thunder roster to 11 players returning from last year's National Conference Finals team.

ROSTER SERVES A TALL ORDER Eleven players on the Thunder active roster measure at 6-foot-1 or taller: Anthony Aiello (6-1), Jordan Bendfeld (6-3), 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 Bryan Pitton (6-2).

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