Game Preview: Stockton Thunder At Ontario Reign

Published on November 21, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


TONIGHT'S MATCHUP

The Thunder ends a two-day, back-to-back stretch tonight against the Pacific Division rival Ontario Reign at Citizens Business Bank Arena, the fifth of ten games this year between both clubs. In the crosshairs is a seven-game winless streak in which the Thunder is 0-4-3. The Thunder is 2-2-0 this season against the Reign and before this weekend, last faced the Reign on Nov. 4, defeating Ontario 3-2 on a goal by Craig Valette in the last minute of regulation. Through the first 14 regular season games in the all-time series, the Thunder is 6-7-1 against Ontario.

LAST 3 THUNDER GAMES

STK 2 - ONT 8 (11/20/09): Rookie forward Peter Lenes scored two goals to help lead a six-unanswered goal rally by the Ontario Reign in the first 35 minutes of play, sending the Thunder to an 8-2 defeat before 5,269 fans at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Friday. The loss, which spoiled the return of Igor Gongalsky to the lineup, extended the Thunder winless streak to seven games (0-4-3) and Ontario goaltender Mike Zacharias picked up the win with 21 saves.

IDH 3 - STK 1 (11/15/09): Rookie goaltender Richard Bachman made 20 saves helping the Idaho Steelheads edge the Thunder, 3-1 before 5,359 fans at Stockton Arena on Sunday night. Idaho, who swept the three-game weekend series and extended their record to 6-0-0 over the Thunder this year, got a game-winning goal from Evan Barlow (1g-1a) in the second period to improve to 11-2-1 overall (23 points) and surpass the Elmira Jackals' 22 points for the league's top record. Garet Hunt scored the only Thunder goal in the third period, whose winless skid reached an 0-3-3 mark.

IDH 4 - STK 2: Evan Barlow scored twice and the Idaho Steelheads broke a 2-2 tie with goals in the last minute of the second period and in the first minute of the third period to edge the Thunder, 4-2 before a crowd of 5,716 at Stockton Arena on Friday night. The loss, which was the first at home in regulation for the Thunder since Oct. 23, cemented a game where the Thunder missed two of their top three scorers in Oren Eizenman (automatic one-game suspension) and James Bates (on AHL recall to Springfield). Judd Blackwater and Jason Pitton (1g-1a) scored each for Stockton, while Barlow's efforts were spelled on Idaho goals from Kevin DeVirgilio and Trevor Ludwig.

THUNDER CROWDS ROLLING INThe Thunder is second ECHL in attendance with an average of 6,365 fans per game (an increase of 2 percent over last year) 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 last Saturday 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 ranks fifth in the ECHL at 22.7 percent (17-for-75) and ranks second on the road with a 28.6 percent rate (10-for-35) as a visitor. Forward Judd Blackwater has five power-play goals to lead the team and is tied for the ECHL lead.

POWER PLAY GOAL LEADERS (ECHL)

1. Ryan Kinasewich (UTA) 5

Matt Pierce (CIN) 5

Judd Blackwater (STK) 5

Justin Donati (ELM) 5

Tony Voce (ONT) 5

ONE IN A MILLION

The Thunder has launched a special landmark "One Millionth Fan" contest which began Oct. 23. The contest begins the official countdown to search for one millionth fan to cross the turnstiles of Stockton Arena in the Thunder's five year history. As the reigning four-time ECHL attendance leader, the Thunder needs just 19,802 fans to reach the one million mark. The lucky fan will be selected as fans enter Stockton Arena, on the day the Thunder is scheduled to reach the one millionth fan mark. Upon selection, the lucky fan to cross the turnstiles will be awarded an array of prizes, including a vacation stay at Yosemite Lodge (Yosemite National Park), 2009-10 season tickets and an Amtrak train trip to Salt Lake City to see the Thunder face the Utah Grizzlies.

OILING UP THE SHIP

For the fourth consecutive season, Stockton will serve as the AA minor-league affiliate for Oilers prospects. Since the Thunder and Oilers began their partnership in 2006-07, the Thunder has advanced to the Kelly Cup Playoffs three consecutive years and four former Thunder players - right wing Troy Bodie, center Tim Sestito, left wing Liam Reddox and defenseman Bryan Young - have gone on to play in the NHL.

Players with the Thunder that have been assigned through the Oilers AHL affiliate, the Springfield Falcons:

Andrew Perugini (G)Bryan Pitton (G)Jordan Bendfeld (D)James Bates (RW)Kelly Czuy (RW)Riley Emmerson (RW)Bryan Young (D)

LETTER JACKET

Center Craig Valette was named the fourth captain in Thunder history on Oct. 15 (Dean Stork, Brad Farynuk and Matt O'Dette). He served as acting captain during nine games of the Kelly Cup Playoffs last year after an injury to O'Dette, the captain for 08-09. Kenny MacAulay and Bryan Young will serve as alternate captains.

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