Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Bakersfield Condors

Published on December 4, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


December 4, 2009 - Stockton Arena

FACEOFF: 7:30 p.m.

RADIO: None (92.5 FM inside Stockton Arena)

INTERNET: www.StocktonThunder.com (B2 Networks)

TICKETS: Click here

MILESTONE TRACKER

o Judd Blackwater is 13 games away from 100 in his professional career

o Kelly Czuy is 25 points away from 100 in his professional career

o Igor Gongalsky is 26 points away from 100 in his professional career

o Brett Hemingway is 5 points away from 100 in his pro career and 7 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

o Matt Robinson is 11 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

2009-10 HEAD-TO-HEAD SERIES

Tue. Nov. 10 Stockton 2 at Bakersfield 3

Fri. Dec. 4 Bakersfield 7:30 p.m.

Sat. Dec. 5 Bakersfield 7:30 p.m.

Sat. Dec. 26 @ Bakersfield 7:00 p.m.

Tue. Dec. 29 Bakersfield 7:00 p.m.

Fri. Jan. 8 @ Bakersfield 7:00 p.m.

Sun. Jan. 24 Bakersfield 4:00 p.m.

Sun. Jan. 10 Bakersfield 4:00 p.m.

Fri. Feb. 19 @ Bakersfield 7:00 p.m.

Sat. Feb. 20 @ Bakersfield 7:00 p.m.

Tue. Mar. 30 @ Bakersfield 7:00 p.m.

Wed. Mar. 31 Bakersfield 7:00 p.m.

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP

The Thunder faces the Bakersfield Condors in the second and third meetings of the season between both teams at Stockton Arena. Both teams face each other 12 times for the 2009-10 season and in the last meeting, the Condors defeated the Thunder 3-2 at Rabobank Arena on Nov. 10. Stockton carries at lifetime record of 11-14-8 against Bakersfield. Bakersfield has assumed control of first place in the Pacific Division with a 9-1-0 run in the last 10 games. Stockton, who has a 5-3-2 record against its opponents except for the Idaho Steelheads, is searching for its first victory at home since Oct. 24 (0-5-3 in last eight home games).

LAST 3 THUNDER GAMES

IDH 5 - STK 1 (11/28/09): Ashton Rome collected a hat trick and goaltender Richard Bachman made 27 saves to help the Idaho Steelheads sweep the Thunder in a three-game series for a 5-1 decision before 6,011 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday night. The Thunder, who despite carry a 5-3-2 record against its ECHL schedule sans Idaho (who have won nine in a row against the Thunder this year), received its only goal from Judd Blackwater in the first period. Evan Barlow and Mathieu Tousignant also scored for the Steelheads, who carry the league's best record at 16-3-1.

IDH 1 - STK 0 (11/27/09): Goaltender Rejean Beauchemin secured the fourth shutout of his pro career with 27 saves and outdueled counterpart Bryan Pitton, as the Idaho Steelheads edged the Thunder, 1-0 before 4,790 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday night. Idaho, who boasts the league's leading defense with 2.3 goals per game allowed, won their eighth straight over the Thunder in the season's head-to-head series on John Swanson's eventual game-winning goal just 1:10 into the final period. Pitton kept the Thunder in the game with 29 saves.

IDH 2 - STK 1 (11/25/09): Rejean Beauchemin made 23 saves and Mark Derlago broke a 1-1 tie with a go-ahead goal with 12:29 left in regulation to help the Idaho Steelheads sneak by the Thunder, 2-1 before 4,592 fans at Stockton Arena on Wednesday night. The Thunder, who are unbeaten in regulation in seven of ten games (5-3-2) in its ECHL schedule except for a 0-6-1 clip this season against Idaho, received help from goaltender Bryan Pitton who made 26 saves in net despite taking the loss. Igor Gongalsky scored his first goal of the year and Evan Barlow tied the game in the third period just minutes before Derlago's go-head goal.

ONE IN A MILLION

The Thunder is expected to crown its special landmark "One Millionth Fan" contest tonight. The contest began on Oct. 23 in the official countdown to search for one millionth fan to cross the turnstiles of Stockton Arena in the Thunder's five year history. As the reigning four-time ECHL attendance leader, the Thunder needs just 4,409 fans to reach the one million mark. The lucky fan will be selected as fans enter Stockton Arena. Upon selection, the lucky fan to cross the turnstiles will be awarded an array of prizes, including a vacation stay at Yosemite Lodge (Yosemite National Park), 2009-10 season tickets and an Amtrak train trip to Salt Lake City to see the Thunder face the Utah Grizzlies.

THUNDER CROWDS ROLLING IN

The Thunder leads ECHL attendance with an average of 5,995 fans per game and is vying to tie a league record by leading the league in attendance for five straight seasons. The Thunder led the ECHL in attendance last year with an average of 6,218 fans through 36 home games. Stockton has 14 sellouts in the team's franchise history and drew a standing room only crowd of 9,392 on Nov. 8 vs. Alaska. Last year, the Thunder became the first team since 2004-05 to lead the ECHL in attendance for four straight seasons (Florida led the ECHL in attendance for five straight seasons - 2000-05).

CH-CH-CHANGES

The Thunder roster has undergone a change comprising of eight transactions in a three-day span. Four new players are active and eligible to make their season debut tonight - former Alaska Aces forwards Brett Hemingway and Matt Robinson, who were signed as free agents and defensemen Anthony Aiello and Justin Dacosta, who were acquired in trades with Florida and Utah, respectively, on Dec. 2.

RECENT THUNDER TRANSACTIONS

12/1 - Brett Hemingway (RW) signed contract

Anthony Aiello (D) acquired from Florida in exchange for future considerations

Justin Dacosta (D) acquired from Utah in exchange for future considerations

Colton Yellow Horn (LW) placed on waivers

12/2 - Matt Robinson (LW) signed contract

Mike Bayrack (C) traded to Gwinnett in exchange for future considerations

Luis Tremblay (D) placed on waivers

12/3 - Colin Power (RW) traded to Wheeling in exchange for future considerations

THUNDER BOOMS IN "THE SHOW"

Last Saturday, goaltender Devan Dubnyk became the seventh player to suit up in a Thunder uniform and advance to make his NHL debut. Dubnyk represented the Thunder in the 2007 ECHL All-Star Game and set Thunder single-season records for wins (24), minutes played (2,529), lowest goals-against-average (2.56) and save percentage (.921) in 2006-07. He made his debut against the Vancouver Canucks. It came one day after Colin McDonald became the sixth player to don a Thunder uniform and eventually make his NHL debut, against San Jose.

COMMUNITY UPDATE - THUNDER REWARDS S.A.T. EXAM TAKERS

The Thunder and Stockton Unified School District have once again joined forces, continuing a program started last year designed to encourage students to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Just as last year, any high school senior within SUSD who takes the SAT exam this Saturday will receive a free ticket voucher to the Thunder vs. Bakersfield Condors game on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena. Last year, more than 1,200 seniors took advantage of this opportunity, as over 70% of eligible seniors within the district took the exam, to lead all districts in California on test day. Through SUSD's initiative, every high school senior will have the opportunity to take the SAT exam this year, free-of-charge, for a savings of $45 on the standard SAT "reasoning exam."

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"It was a good practice and it was great to get out there with the other players," DaCosta said. "You just want to come in and meet everybody and do your part to help out."

- Defenseman Justin Dacosta after his first day of practice with the Thunder, The Record, 12/3/09

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