Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Alaska Aces

December 12, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


FACEOFF: 8:05 p.m. PT

RADIO: None

INTERNET: www.stocktonthunder.com (B2 Networks)

RECORDS:

Stockton Thunder (9-12-2, 20 points) - 3rd, Pacific

Alaska Aces (14-8-1, 29 points) - 2nd, West

2007-08 HEAD-TO-HEAD SERIES

10/27/07 Alaska 2 at Stockton 3 (OT)

11/21/07 Alaska 8 at Stockton 5

11/23/07 Alaska 3 at Stockton 4

12/11/07 Stockton 2 at Alaska 5

01/09/07 Stockton at Alaska

01/11/08 Stockton at Alaska

01/12/08 Stockton at Alaska

02/16/08 Alaska at Stockton

02/17/08 Alaska at Stockton

UPCOMING MILESTONES

œ Chris Cichocki is 8 wins shy of 200 in his ECHL coaching career

œ Mark Adamek is 3 games shy of 100 in his professional career

œ Phil Cole is 4 games shy of 300 in his professional career

œ Brian Lee is 4 games shy of 100 in his professional career

TONIGHTfS MATCHUP

The Thunder and the Alaska Aces meet again in a rematch of a two-game series at Sullivan Arena, where the Thunder is 0-6-1 in the all-time series. The Thunder went 0-2-1 last year at Alaska and is 2-2-0 this season against the Aces. Thunder rookie Jacob Micflikier leads the season in series in scoring with seven points (3g-4a). Alaska goaltender Derek Gustafson has pulled all of the workload in net, posting a 3.49 goals-against-average and .889 save percentage.

LAST GAME RECAP

Josh Soares tied a career-high with a four-assist game as the Alaska Aces scored four unanswered goals to send the Thunder to a 5-2 loss at Sullivan Arena on Tuesday. Alaska veteran Kimbi Daniels scored two goals and added an assist. Rookie Jacob Micflikier tied the game at 1-1 with a power-play goal for the Thunder in the first period before Alaskafs four-goal spurt. Both Micflikier and Stephane Goulet each had a goal and an assist to lead the Thunder scoring.

PROSPECT WATCH

First round draft pick Ryan OfMarra (2005, New York Islanders) has a point in four of his last five games and leads the Thunder with nine goals and six power-play goals c fifth round pick and goaltender Glenn Fisher (2004, Edmonton Oilers) earned his first win since November 8 with a 25-save effort vs. Las Vegas on December 7 (2-1 Thunder win) c seventh round pick left wing Stephane Goulet (2004, Edmonton Oilers) has a goal and two assists in his last two games.

FLIK OF THE WRISTS

Thunder rookie Jacob Micflikier leads the Thunder in scoring with 23 points (7g-16a), pacing five points back of ECHL rookie scoring leader Mathieu Melansonfs 30 points (18g-12a). Micflikierfs goal last night snapped a six-game goal-scoring drought and has posted seven multi-point games this year.

MOVINf ON UP c

Last Saturday, left wing Liam Reddox became the second alum in Thunder history to play in the National Hockey League, making his debut with the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place against the St. Louis Blues. Reddox appeared in 70 games with the Thunder last season and scored 19 points (6g-13a) with a +6 rating in 22 games with the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League this year before his call-up. Former Thunder defenseman Bryan Young made his debut with Edmonton last year.

ABOUT THE ACES

The Alaska Aces are the ECHL affiliate of the NHLfs St. Louis Blues and the AHLfs Peoria Rivermen and are in their fifth season of ECHL play. The Acesf Kelly Cup championship in 2005-06 helped them become the second team to win a professional sports championship in the state, and the first since 1980. Entering his first behind the bench is head coach Keith McCambridge, a former 11-year defenseman who wrapped up his career with the Aces in 2005-06 and now takes over for the departed Davis Payne, who accepted a coaching position with the Rivermen. Alaska has six players remaining on its Kelly Cup championship squad, including center Kimbi Daniels, who has over 700 games of professional playing experience.



ECHL Stories from December 12, 2007


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