Game Preview: Stockton Thunder at Ontario Reign

February 16, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


TONIGHT'S MATCHUP

The Thunder, five points behind the first place (Western Conference and Pacific Division) Las Vegas Wranglers, concludes a five-game road trip against the Ontario Reign at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The Thunder is 6-1-1 against Ontario this season and in the last meeting, the Thunder defeated Ontario, 4-2 at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Feb. 9. Through 27 regular season games in the all-time series, the Thunder is 17-9-2 against Ontario. Stockton has combined for 32 goals in the first eight games of the series. The final two games of the series will be played in Ontario, where the Thunder are 4-0-0 in the last four visits, dating back to 2009-10.

LAST THREE GAMES:

STK 3 - AK 2 (2/13/11): Jarrett Konkle broke a tied game in the third period with his second of two goals with 15:50 remaining, leading the Thunder to a come-from-behind, 3-2 victory over the Alaska Aces before 3,432 fans at Sullivan Arena on Sunday. The Thunder, who broke a 0-5-2 streak at Alaska and earned its first win in Anchorage since December 2009, improved to 2-1-1 on a five-game road trip and helped goaltender Zane Kalemba earn a win in his Thunder debut with 21 saves. Konkle scored both goals in a 2:32 span after Brian Swanson put Alaska ahead, 2-1 early in the third period. Cameron Brodie scored the first goal of his pro career and earned his first multi-point game with an assist.

AK 4 - STK 3 (OT) (2/12/11): Kory Falite capped off a two-goal effort with a game-winning goal, with 2:45 left in sudden death overtime, to lift the Alaska Aces to a 4-3 overtime win over the Thunder before 4,332 fans at Sullivan Arena on Saturday. The Thunder were able to force overtime on a third period goal from former Aces forward Jarrett Konkle, spelling additional goals from Chris Lawrence and Jordan Fulton. Alaska goaltender Gerald Coleman made 25 stops, enough to pick up the win.

AK 5 - STK 2 (2/11/11): Adam Courchaine made 28 saves and Chris Langkow carried an offense with one goal and two assists, helping lead the Alaska Aces past the Stockton Thunder (24-15-7, 55 points), 5-2, before 4,038 fans at Sullivan Arena. The Thunder, who dropped its fourth straight loss in the head-to-head series with Alaska and fell to 0-5-1 in the last six games in Anchorage, were anchored by Dan Kissel's two points (1g-1a) in his Aces debut. Jarrett Konkle, in his return to Sullivan Arena for the first time since suiting up for the Aces, chipped in with a goal along with Chris Lawrence in the losing effort. Thunder goaltender Bryan Pitton took the loss with 22 saves.

SEASON SERIES (Thunder is 6-1-1) Fri. Oct. 15 Ontario 6 at Stockton 3 Sat. Oct. 16 Ontario 5 at Stockton 4 (OT) Fri. Oct. 22 Ontario 1 at Stockton 3 Sat. Oct. 23 Stockton 3 at Ontario 2 (SO) Fri. Jan. 21 Ontario 2 at Stockton 7 Sat. Jan. 22 Ontario 1 at Stockton 4 Sun. Jan. 23 Stockton 4 at Ontario 2 Wed. Feb. 9 at Ontario 7:00 p.m. Wed. Feb. 16 at Ontario 7:00 p.m. Sun. Feb. 27 at Ontario 5:00 p.m.

UPCOMING MILESTONES: �- Ryan Constant is 8 games away from 300 in his professional career �- Kelly Czuy is 2 games away from 200 in his professional career �- Kelly Czuy is 8 points away from 100 in his professional career �- Bryan Pitton is 4 games away from 100 in his professional career

SHOOT TO THRILL The Thunder rank third in average shots per game in the ECHL with 34.0, topped only by Trenton's average of 35.8 and Toledo's, of 34.1. There have been nine different occasions that Stockton has fired over 40 shots or more this season, and last Wednesday's game (37-35, vs. Ontario) was the first time they were outshot by an opponent in 14 games, dating back to Jan. 7 at Victoria (24-34 in 4-2 defeat). Right winger Fraser Clair leads the Thunder individually with 167 shots.

HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT The Thunder also rank second in least shots allowed per game in the ECHL with 27.8, topped only by Alaska's average of 24.9. Stockton has held an opponent to under 30 shots on goal in seven of the last nine games a



ECHL Stories from February 16, 2011


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