Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Bakersfield Condors

Published on December 21, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


FACEOFF: 7:30 p.m. PT

RADIO: 1420-AM KSTN

INTERNET: www.stocktonthunder.com (B2 Networks)

RECORDS:

Stockton Thunder (10-13-2, 22 points) - 3rd, Pacific

Bakersfield Condors (6-15-5, 17 points) - 4th, Pacific

2007-08 HEAD-TO-HEAD SERIES

10/19/07 Stockton 2 at Bakersfield 3

12/14/07 Bakersfield 5 at Stockton 3

12/21/07 Bakersfield at Stockton

12/29/07 Stockton at Bakersfield

01/06/08 Bakersfield at Stockton

02/01/08 Bakersfield at Stockton

02/02/08 Bakersfield at Stockton

02/23/08 Stockton at Bakersfield

03/17/08 Stockton at Bakersfield

UPCOMING MILESTONES

œ Chris Cichocki is 7 wins shy of 200 in his ECHL coaching career

œ Tim OfConnell is 1 game shy of 500 in his professional career

œ Mark Adamek is 1 game shy of 100 in his professional career

œ Phil Cole is 2 games shy of 300 in his professional career

œ Brian Lee is 2 games shy of 100 in his professional career

TONIGHTfS MATCHUP

The Thunder continues a season-long five-game homestand on Friday against the Bakersfield Condors, the first game in seven days for the Thunder and the third game in the nine-game season series. The Thunder is 6-6-6 lifetime against the Condors and went 3-1-1 at home against Bakersfield last year. The game marks the return of veteran defenseman Tim OfConnell, scheduled to play in his 500th career game after ending an eight-month retirement last Friday.

TONIGHTfS GUEST

The Stockton Thunder welcomes staff from the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League to tonightfs game, attended by Oilers Vice President of Hockey Operations Kevin Prendergast.

LAST GAME RECAP

Forward Andrew Ianierofs goal at the 12:07 mark of the third period proved to be the game-winner as the Thunder dropped a 5-3 decision to the Bakersfield Condors in front of 6,175 fans at Stockton Arena. Rookie Ryan OfMarra led the Thunder with two goals and Jacob Micflikier added three assists, continuing a recent scoring tear.

PROSPECT WATCH

First round draft pick Ryan OfMarra (2005, New York Islanders) has a point in six of his last seven games and had his third ECHL career multi-goal game on December 14 vs. Bakersfield 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 two goals and four assists in his last four games.

THE O.C. MAKES A COMEBACK

Tim OfConnell returns from early retirement tonight to suit up for his 500th career professional game and second year with the Thunder. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound defenseman won last seasonfs PHPA gIronmanh Award after scoring 211 points (61g-150a) and amassing 811 penalty minutes in 499 career games with the ECHLfs Thunder, Florida Everblades, Roanoke Express, the AHLfs Norfolk Admirals, Rochester Americans and Syracuse Crunch, and the United Hockey Leaguefs Missouri River Otters and Elmira Jackals.

ABOUT THE CONDORS

Bakersfield is entering its fifth season in the ECHL and is celebrating its 10th season in professional hockey. The Condors are independent of an NHL affiliate and set team records last year with a 94-point season, posting a 41-19-12 record which placed second in the Pacific Division. Captain Sean Venedam set a Condors ECHL record last year with 74 points (27g-47a) while left wing Brett Lutes led the team with 34 goals. Returning for his second stint between the Bakersfield pipes is goaltender Yutaka Fukufuji, who made history last year as the first Japanese-born player to make his NHL debut, suiting up for four games with the Los Angeles Kings.

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