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Game Preview: Stockton Thunder at Victoria Salmon Kings

December 1, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


The Thunder returns to the road for three games at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, beginning Wednesday against the Victoria Salmon Kings at 7:05 p.m. The Thunder (3-0-2) and Elmira (5-0-2) are the remaining two unbeaten teams in regulation while on the road, this year in the ECHL. The Thunder is 18-21-5 lifetime against Victoria and the last time both teams met, Victoria defeated the Thunder in the head-to-head season opener, 4-1 at Stockton Arena on Sunday, Nov. 21. Stockton enters the week tied for first place in the Pacific Division.

LAST THREE GAMES:

UTA 3 ‚¬" STK 2 (11/26/10): J.P. Lamoureux made saves on 34 shots, including all 20 he saw in the third period, to send the Thunder to a 3-2 defeat to the Utah Grizzlies before 5,332 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday night. The Thunder who dropped to 0-3-1 in the last four games despite keeping hold of first place in the Pacific Division, were helped out on goals from Aaron Clarke and Jason Pitton. Utah used three unanswered goals in the decisive rally and were aided on Chris Donovan's game-winning goal in the second period.

LV 1 ‚¬" STK 0 (11/24/10): Goaltender Michael Ouzas made a season high 42 saves for his fifth career shutout, helping the Las Vegas Wranglers defeat the Thunder, 1-0, before a crowd of 4,018 at Stockton Arena on Wednesday night. The Thunder, who were shut out for the first time this season, came within three shots of matching their season-high and outshot Las Vegas, 42-13 in the game to tie the team's all-time record for least shots allowed. Ouzas also had all 20 shots turned away in the second period. Garrett Zemlak took the loss for the Thunder with 12 stops. Ned Lukacevic scored the only goal in the first period.

VIC 4 ‚¬" STK 1 (11/22/10): David Shantz made 31 saves and the Victoria Salmon Kings scored three times in a span of 2:28 to send the Thunder to its first regulation loss since Oct. 15, 4-1, before 6,434 fans at Stockton Arena on Sunday. The Thunder, who had its club record 12-game unbeaten streak (8-0-4) in regulation snapped, got its only goal from Jason Pitton in the second period. Matt Siddall, Kiel McLeod and Ryan MacMurchy scored in the Victoria rally and were also spelled by an insurance goal from Chad Painchaud.

SEASON SERIES (Thunder is 0-1-0)

Sun. Nov. 21 Victoria 4 at Stockton 1

Wed. Dec. 1 at Victoria 7:05 p.m.

Fri. Dec. 3 at Victoria 7:05 p.m.

Sat. Dec. 4 at Victoria 7:05 p.m.

Wed. Jan. 5 at Victoria 7:05 p.m.

Fri. Jan. 7 at Victoria 7:05 p.m.

Sat. Jan. 8 at Victoria 7:05 p.m.

Fri. Feb. 18 Victoria 7:30 p.m.

Sat. Feb. 19 Victoria 7:30 p.m.

Sun. Feb. 20 Victoria 4:00 p.m.

Fri. Mar. 25 Victoria 7:30 p.m.

Sat. Mar. 26 Victoria 7:30 p.m.

Sun. Mar. 27 Victoria 4:00 p.m.

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

Chris Lawrence is 3 games away from 200 in his professional career

Ryan Constant is 11 points away from 200 in his professional career

INVESTIGATING BUREAU

The most recent, newest acquisition for the Thunder is rookie center Pierre-Andre Bureau, acquired from the Ontario Reign in exchange for future considerations on Saturday, November 27. Bureau is scheduled to make his debut with the Thunder tonight. He made his pro debut in Stockton on October 22 and collected the first point (assist) in his pro career at Victoria on Oct. 30. His #22 jersey is retired by the P.E.I. Rocket and set the QMJHL record for most career games by one player, with one team (346). He led the Rocket in scoring in each of the last two seasons while serving as captain and playing for current Vancouver Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault.

LIKE A BROKEN RECORD

The Thunder broke a club record on Saturday, Nov. 20 in a 2-1 shootout loss to Idaho for a 12-game unbeaten streak in regulation (8-0-4). The previous standard was set with an 11-0-0 run in 2006-07. The Thunder began the streak with a 5-4 overtime loss to Ontario on Oct. 16 at Stockton Arena and tied the mark on Nov. 18, in a 3-2 shootout win over the Idaho Steelheads.

HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT

The Thunder have allowed just 25.5 shots per game, lowest in the ECHL. The Thunder have allowed over 30 shots on goal in just five games this year and on Nov. 24, the Thunder tied a franchise low with 13 shots allowed in a 1-0 defeat to Las Vegas. They outshot Las Vegas, 42-13. In the last game, the Thunder outshot Utah, 36-22 in a 3-2 defeat on Nov. 26

HAIL TO THE CHIEF

Thunder head coach Matt Thomas ranks third in wins 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) * 357

2. Malcolm Cameron (four teams) * 306

3. Davis Payne (Alaska, Pee-Dee) 289

4. Glen Gulutzan (Las Vegas) 254

5. Matt Thomas (Stockton, Fre, A.C.) * 241

* Currently ECHL active

ROSTER SERVES A TALL ORDER

Ten players on the Thunder active roster measure at 6-foot-1 or taller: Anthony Aiello (6-1), Cameron Brodie (6-1), Jesse Gimblett (6-3), Chris Lawrence (6-4), Jim McKenzie (6-2), Chase Ryan (6-2), Steve Vanoosten (6-1), Craig Valette (6-1), Marcus Watson (6-2) and Garrett Zemlak (6-1).



ECHL Stories from December 1, 2010


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