Game Preview: Stockton Thunder at Phoenix RoadRunners

Published on October 24, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


FACEOFF: 7:11 p.m. PT (U.S. Airways Center)

RADIO: 1420-AM KSTN

INTERNET: www.stocktonthunder.com (B2 Networks)

2007-08 HEAD-TO-HEAD SERIES

10/24/07 Stockton at Phoenix

11/06/07 Stockton at Phoenix

11/07/07 Stockton at Phoenix

11/08/07 Stockton at Phoenix

12/22/07 Phoenix at Stockton

01/26/08 Phoenix at Stockton

02/25/08 Phoenix at Stockton

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP

The four-game road trip wraps up with a Wednesday night affair against the Phoenix RoadRunners at U.S. Airways Center, a place where the Thunder has only one regulation loss in the all-time series (4-1-1) and is searching for its first win of the 2007-08 season. Phoenix's 3-0-0 start is their best in ECHL history. Last year, the Thunder was 5-0-1 against Phoenix, who are led this season by Daniel Sisca's six points (4g-2a). Tonight is the Thunder debut of first round draftee Ryan O'Marra, who was assigned from Springfield on Tuesday and was acquired from the New York Islanders in February's Ryan Smyth trade.

LAST GAME RECAP

Bruce Mulherin scored two goals while goaltender John Curry made 25 saves for the Las Vegas Wranglers to send the Thunder to a 3-2 defeat at Orleans Arena last night. Mulherin's goals came in the second period as the Thunder was outshot by Las Vegas at a 14-10 pace. Luke Fulghum and Jesse Bennefield scored the Thunder goals, as both teams combined for four power-play goals. The Thunder was paced by Cam Ellsworth's 28 saves.

ALL-STAR-STUDDED FRONTLINE

Facing a re-tooling process along the frontline, Head Coach Chris Cichocki added three forwards during the off-season with ECHL All-Star Game experience. Right wing Jesse Bennefield, a 2006 All-Star selection, won the fastest skater event at the skills competition at Fresno's Save Mart Center. Right wing Luke Fulghum had a hat trick and added an assist for the American Conference in the game and signed with the Thunder as a free agent late in the offseason. Brandon Schwartz was Long Beach's lone representative at the 2007 ECHL All-Star Game in Idaho.

BENEFACTOR FROM BENNEFIELD

Since being acquired from the offseason as a free-agent signee, right wing Jesse Bennefield has paced Thunder scoring with three points (2g-1a) in his first three games, with both goals coming on the power-play. Two years ago as a rookie, Bennefield led the San Diego Gulls of the ECHL with 30 goals. The fast start barely edges his 2005-06 pace, when he scored a goal and an assist in his first three games with San Diego.

POWER UP

The Thunder has scored four power-play goals through the first three games of the season, ranking 9th in power-play efficiency with a 19 percent rate. The four goals on the man-advantage are two off the ECHL team lead, shared by Florida, Gwinnett, Phoenix and Johnstown.

ABOUT THE ROADRUNNERS

The Phoenix RoadRunners are in their third ECHL season, led by head coach Brad Church (first full season as head coach) and are off to their best start in ECHL history at a 3-0-0 pace. Center Daniel Sisca was recently named ECHL Player of the Week with a six point-effort (4g-2a), headlining a three-game sweep of the Utah Grizzlies. Last year, Phoenix clinched the eighth seed in the National Conference and its first-ever Kelly Cup Playoff berth with a 27-40-5 record (59 points). The RoadRunners home is U.S. Airways Center, which doubles-up as the host facility to the NBA's Phoenix Suns.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"He is a very skilled center with a good set of wheels. He handles the puck well and has a very good shot. He can score from many areas of the ice and doesn't shy away from playing in traffic. O'Marra is at his best when he is playing with a physical edge to his game. Banging bodies, creating turnovers and playing tough in the corners or in front of the net."

- Guy Flaming, hockeysfuture.com, on first round draftee and Oilers prospect Ryan O'Marra, who was assigned to the Thunder on Tuesday

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