Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Alaska Aces

Published on January 12, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


FACEOFF: 8:15 p.m. PT

RADIO: None

INTERNET: www.stocktonthunder.com (B2 Networks)

RECORDS:

Stockton Thunder (16-16-2, 32 points) - 3rd, Pacific

Alaska Aces (18-11-4, 40 points) - 3rd, 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

12/12/07 Stockton 4 at Alaska 3 (OT)

01/09/07 Stockton 5 at Alaska 4 (OT)

01/11/08 Stockton 4 at Alaska 3 (OT)

01/12/08 Stockton at Alaska

02/16/08 Alaska at Stockton

02/17/08 Alaska at Stockton

UPCOMING MILESTONES

o Chris Cichocki is 1 win shy of 200 in his ECHL coaching career

o Spencer Carbery is 9 games away from 100 in his professional career

o Andy Contois is 24 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

o Adam Huxley is 7 games away from 200 in his professional and ECHL career

o Brad Farynuk is 8 games shy of 100 in his professional career

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP

The Thunder finishes a three-game series at Sullivan Arena against the Alaska Aces tonight, where the Aces are 69-13-8 over the last three seasons despite the Thunder winning the last three games via the overtime period in Anchorage. The Thunder has a 5-2-0 record this season against the Aces. A win for the Thunder will boost its record above the .500 mark for the first time since November 12.

LAST GAME RECAP

Ryan MacMurchy scored two goals, including the game-winner 59 seconds into sudden-death overtime to help boost the Thunder to its sixth win in eight games and a 4-3 overtime victory over the host Alaska Aces before 4,314 at Sullivan Arena on Friday night. David Rohlfs scored the second multi-goal game of his career while goaltender Glenn Fisher made 20 saves in his fifth consecutive start to earn his ninth win of the season

BIG MAC ATTACK

Thunder right wing Ryan MacMurchy has returned to familiar territory as a former member of the Alaska Aces, scoring five points (3g-2a) in the two games this week. MacMurchy tied a career-high four-point game (1g-3a) in Wednesday's win for the Thunder, set just three days prior when he registered the first hat trick of his career in a 5-2 win vs. Bakersfield and added an assist. MacMurchy is scoring over a point-per-game pace with 24 points (13g-11a) in 20 games, ranking third on the Thunder in scoring and leading the club in goals.

THE CAPTAIN COMES BACK

Thunder captain and all-star defenseman Brad Farynuk, recently summoned back to the American Hockey League on his third recall of the season with the Springfield Falcons, was reassigned to the Thunder on January 7. In 24 games with the Thunder this season, the Stockton captain has three goals and 12 assists for 15 points and has been named to participate in the 2008 Chase Chevrolet ECHL All-Star Game at Stockton Arena.

CICHOCKI CLOSE TO MILESTONE

Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki needs one more win to reach 200 for his coaching career and carries a lifetime record of 199-202-65 in seven seasons having previously coached Arkansas and Cincinnati. Currently in his third year as Thunder head coach, Cichocki has served as a coach at the ECHL All-Star Game three times, tying a league record shared by Gwinnett's Jeff Pyle, Las Vegas' Glen Gulutzan and former Alaska Aces head coach Davis Payne.

ABOUT THE ACES

The Alaska Aces are the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's St. Louis Blues and the AHL's Peoria Rivermen and are in their fifth season of ECHL play. The Aces' 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 several players remaining on its Kelly Cup championship squad, including center Kimbi Daniels, who has over 700 games of professional playing experience.

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