Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Bakersfield Condors

Published on November 6, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


DATE: Saturday, November 6, 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)

National Anthem Singers: Trish Linderman and Cathy Baines

Public Address Announcer: Mike McKnight

NEXT HOME GAME

Sunday, November 7 vs. Bakersfield Condors, 4:00 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 continues its fifth annual breast cancer benefit weekend, "Thunder Goes Pink V," hosting the Bakersfield Condors in the third of 11 meetings between both clubs. Both teams are facing each other three consecutive days. The Thunder is 18-17-11 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, the Thunder defeated Bakersfield, 7-0 last night at Stockton Arena.

LAST THREE GAMES:

STK 7 - BAK 0 (11/6/10): Goaltender Bryan Pitton earned his second career shutout with 19 saves and his brother, Jason, recorded a goal, assist and a fight to help the Thunder rout the Bakersfield Condors in a 7-0 victory to open "Thunder Goes Pink V," before 6,707 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday. The Thunder, who opened the three-game, three-day event to raise funds through ticket and auction proceeds, benefiting breast cancer awareness, were helped by a two-goal game from Jesse Gimblett and additional goals from Craig Valette, Fraser Clair, Chris D'Alvise and Chris Lawrence.

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.

SEASON SERIES (Thunder is 1-0-1)

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

Fri. Nov. 5 Bakersfield 0 at Stockton 7

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 benefiting 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 take on a pink accent and be auctioned off live in the stands after tonight'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 were involved this morning for the Thunder Goes Pink 5K Run/Walk outside Stockton Arena. Thunder players helped start the event, where all fans who registered were able to enjoy a walk or run along the waterfront of Stockton Arena, which concluded with an awards ceremony to honor the top fans for race time and pledges. Following the race, participants received VIP access to watch the team's morning skate on the pink ice at Stockton Arena.

UPCOMING MILESTONES

Chris Lawrence is 12 games away from 200 in his professional career

Aaron Clarke is 3 games away from 200 in his professional career

Ryan Constant is 13 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) * 301

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

4. Glen Gulutzan (Las Vegas) 254

5. Matt Thomas (Stockton, Fre, A.C.) * 236

* 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. He shut out Bakersfield, 7-0 for his second career shutout last night. Bendfeld was +3 in his return to the lineup.

THUNDER DAN

Defenseman Dan Ringwald was loaned to the Thunder on Sunday by the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League, and had an assist in his Thunder debut last night. 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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