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Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Bakersfield Condors

November 5, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


DATE: Friday, November 5, 2010

TIME: 7:30 p.m.

SITE: Stockton Arena

RADIO: 1280 AM KWSX/StocktonThunder.com (AmericaOne)

NHL AFFILIATES

Stockton Thunder: Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks

Bakersfield Condors: Minnesota Wild

HOME GAME PROMOTIONAL NOTES

Tonight's Promotions: THUNDER GOES PINK V (presented by St. Joseph's Medical Center in association with Delta Blood Bank, Antonini Freight Express and Union Bank)

METRO PCS FREE Friday

National Anthem Singer: Alisia Tisdell

Public Address Announcer: D.J. Walker

NEXT HOME GAME

Saturday, November 6 vs. Bakersfield Condors, 7:30 p.m.

THUNDER GOES PINK V (presented by St. Joseph's Medical Center in association with Delta Blood Bank, Antonini Freight Express and Union Bank)

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP

The Stockton Thunder returns home for its fifth annual breast cancer benefit weekend, "Thunder Goes Pink V," hosting the Bakersfield Condors to complete the fourth of 11 meetings between both clubs by the end of the weekend. Both teams will face each other three consecutive days, beginning Friday. The Thunder is 17-17-11 lifetime against the Condors through six seasons and went 6-4-2 in the season series last year, additionally eliminating Bakersfield in the second round (National Conference Semifinal) of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. The last time both teams met, Bakersfield defeated the Thunder in a shootout, 5-4, at Rabobank Arena last Friday.

LAST THREE GAMES:

BAK 5 - STK 4 (SO) (10/29/10): Jason Pitton scored a critical game-tying goal with 1:57 left in regulation to cap a wild four-goal rally in the final period by the Thunder, forcing overtime in a 5-4 shootout defeat to the Bakersfield Condors before 3,939 fans at Rabobank Arena on Friday night. The Thunder, who remained unbeaten in regulation in the last four games (2-0-2), were also helped out by goals from Chris D'Alvise, Jim McKenzie and Jordan Foreman, who all combined for the effort to help the Thunder collect a season high for goals in one period.

STK 3 - ONT 2 (SO) (10/23/10): Jason Pitton forced overtime with a shorthanded goal and followed up with the game-winner in the fifth round of a shootout to boost the Thunder to a come-from-behind, 3-2 win over the Ontario Reign at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Saturday. The Thunder, who spoiled Ontario's home opener, swept the Reign during a two-game weekend series and got additional goal-scoring help on a second period goal by Jesse Gimblett. Goaltender Tyson Sexsmith also secured his second consecutive win with 25 saves.

STK 3 - ONT 1 (10/22/10): Goaltender Tyson Sexsmith made 23 saves and the Stockton Thunder capitalized on three power play goals en route to a 3-1 victory over the Ontario Reign, before a crowd of 4,577 at Stockton Arena on Friday night. Chris Lawrence, Chris D'Alvise and Aaron Clarke all scored and the Thunder, who earned its first win of the regular season, kept Ontario blanked through 40 minutes. The Thunder penalty kill also kept Ontario to a 1-for-9 clip as well.

SEASON SERIES (Thunder is 0-0-1)

Fri. Oct. 29 Stockton 4 at Bakersfield 5 (SO)

Fri. Nov. 5 Bakersfield 7:30 p.m.

Sat. Nov. 6 Bakersfield 7:30 p.m.

Sun. Nov. 7 Bakersfield 4:00 p.m.

Fri. Dec. 10 at Bakersfield 7:30 p.m.

Sun. Dec. 26 at Bakersfield 6:00 p.m.

Mon. Dec. 27 at Bakersfield 7:00 p.m.

Wed. Jan. 12 Bakersfield 7:00 p.m.

Tue. Feb. 22 Bakersfield 7:00 p.m.

Fri. Feb. 25 at Bakersfield 7:00 p.m.

Sat. Feb. 26 at Bakersfield Noon

THUNDER SHOWING TRUE COLORS

Returning for the fifth season as the flagship fundraising event of the Thunder, the wildly popular "Thunder Goes Pink" series turns the games at Stockton Arena into a pink-themed spectacle for local breast cancer awareness and fundraising. Fans can get involved by taking home an array of hockey collectibles and gift items in live and silent auctions held throughout the weekend, with proceeds benefitting the American Cancer Society - Stockton Field Office and St. Joseph's Foundation - Breast Cancer Services. Thunder jerseys, worn by the players for all three games, will be a pink hue and auctioned off live in the stands after Saturday's 7:30 p.m. game against Bakersfield. The ice surface will be turned pink as well to salute the cause.

MORE ABOUT PINK

Last year, $32,480 in funds raised was donated to the event beneficiaries: American Cancer Society - Stockton Field Office and St. Joseph's Foundation - Breast Cancer Services. The Thunder has boosted its all-time, four-year total of funds raised through "Pink" to over $145,000 with over 16,000 fans in attendance for the two games last year.

EVEN MORE ABOUT PINK: HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING

Additionally, fans can get involved in the all-day celebration on Saturday, starting at 9:00 a.m. for the Thunder Goes Pink 5K Run/Walk outside Stockton Arena. Thunder players will o help start the event, where all fans who register can enjoy a walk or run along the waterfront of Stockton Arena, which concludes with an awards ceremony to honor the top fans for race time and pledges. Following the race, participants will be get VIP access to watch the team's morning skate on the pink ice at Stockton Arena.

UPCOMING MILESTONES

Chris Lawrence is 13 games away from 200 in his professional career

Aaron Clarke is 4 games away from 200 in his professional career

Ryan Constant is 15 points away from 200 in his professional career

THUNDER CROWDS ROLL IN

An exclusive club, the Thunder averaged over 6,000 fans per game and drew over 200,000 fans at the gate for the fifth straight year in 2009-10. The Thunder drew 217,098 fans (6,031 average) in 36 regular season games at Stockton Arena and ranked third overall this season in ECHL attendance, only surpassed by the second-year Ontario Reign (led ECHL with 232,223 fans) and the first-year Toledo Walleye (second with 226,575 fans). The Thunder has drawn 14 sellouts in the team's franchise history, welcomed its one millionth fan last season along with a draw of five crowds of 8,000 fans or more.

TOP FIVE HOME CROWDS IN 2009-10

OPPONENT DATE ATTENDANCE

1. Alaska 11/7/09 9,392*

2. Victoria 1/30/10 9,158

3. Utah 3/20/10 8,518

4. Las Vegas 3/27/10 8,053

5. Victoria 3/6/10 8,042

* Denotes sellout

HAIL TO THE CHIEF

Thunder head coach Matt Thomas is the third winningest coach 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) * 350

2. Malcolm Cameron (four teams) * 300

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

4. Glen Gulutzan (Las Vegas) 254

5. Matt Thomas (Stockton, Fre, A.C.) * 235

* Currently ECHL active

WELCOME BACK

On Thursday, goaltender Bryan Pitton and defenseman Jordan Bendfeld returned to the Thunder after being assigned by the Edmonton Oilers from Oklahoma City of the AHL. Pitton and Bendfeld increase the total to ten players currently on the active roster, who suited up for last year's Thunder team that advanced to the Conference Final for the first time in team history. Pitton was 1-1-0 in two games for Oklahoma City this year with a 3.53 goals-against-average and .891 save percentage. Bendfeld has suited up in one game for the Thunder, this season, on Oct. 16.

THUNDER DAN

Defenseman Dan Ringwald was loaned to the Thunder on Sunday by the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League, making Friday his scheduled night to make his Thunder debut. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound defenseman left the R.I.T. (NCAA) program as its all-time leading scorer among defensemen (NCAA Division-I level) and the all-time program leader in assists. He was a nominee last year for the Hobey Baker Award, presented annually to the top player in NCAA men's hockey, captained RIT to their first ever appearance in the NCAA Frozen Four as a 2009-10 senior and a school record 28 wins. As a senior, he scored a career-high 37 points (11g-26a) in 41 games which was third in the nation in scoring among defensemen.

ROSTER SERVES A TALL ORDER

Eleven players on the Thunder active roster measure at 6-foot-1 or taller: Anthony Aiello (6-1), Jordan Bendfeld (6-3), Cameron Brodie (6-1), Jesse Gimblett (6-3), Chris Lawrence (6-4), Jim McKenzie (6-2), Jason Pitton (6-2), Chase Ryan (6-2), Steve Vanoosten (6-1), Craig Valette (6-1) and Bryan Pitton (6-2).

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