Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Bakersfield Condors

November 7, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


DATE: Sunday, November 7, 2010

TIME: 4:00 p.m.

SITE: Stockton Arena

RADIO: StocktonThunder.com (AmericaOne)

TICKETS: Click here

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 Singer: Jessica Smith

Public Address Announcer: Mike McKnight

NEXT HOME GAME

Thursday, November 18 vs. Idaho Steelheads, 7:00 p.m.

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP

The Stockton Thunder concludes its fifth annual breast cancer benefit weekend, "Thunder Goes Pink V," hosting the Bakersfield Condors in the fourth of 11 meetings between both clubs. Both teams have been facing each other three consecutive days. The Thunder is 19-17-11 lifetime against the Condors through six seasons and is 2-0-1 in the head-to-head series this season. The last time both teams met, the Thunder defeated Bakersfield, 4-2 last night at Stockton Arena.

LAST THREE GAMES:

STK 4 - BAK 2 (11/7/10): Chris D'Alvise notched his third career hat trick and the Thunder never trailed in a game that featured a three-goal rally in the final six minutes of regulation, taking over sole possession of first place in the Pacific Division in a 4-2 victory over the Bakersfield Condors before 9,015 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday. The Thunder, who improved to 4-0-2 in the last six games, continued a breast cancer benefit event, "Thunder Goes Pink V" and were also aided on a game-winning goal by Bretton Cameron in the third period, his first pro goal.

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.

SEASON SERIES (Thunder is 2-0-1)

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

Fri. Nov. 5 Bakersfield 0 at Stockton 7

Sat. Nov. 6 Bakersfield 2 at Stockton 4

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 were auctioned off live in the stands after last night's 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. Already, over 15,000 fans have poured into Stockton Arena for the two games.

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 11 games away from 200 in his professional career

Aaron Clarke is 2 games away from 200 in his professional career

Ryan Constant is 13 points away from 200 in his professional career

THUNDER CROWDS ROLL IN

The Thunder currently is third in ECHL attendance with an average of 6,437 fans per game. An exclusive club, the Thunder averaged over 6,000 fans per game, led the league in box office draw for four straight years (2005-09) and drew over 200,000 fans at the gate for the fifth straight year in 2009-10. 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. A season high of 9,015 fans were in attendance in Saturday's home game vs. Bakersfield.

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) * 351

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.) * 237

* Currently ECHL active

THIS IS THUNDER/SHARKS TERRITORY

This summer saw the Stockton Thunder announce an affiliation partnership in conjunction with the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League. The Thunder, who is a dual affiliate of San Jose and the Edmonton Oilers, are separated by only 80 miles of geographic distance from San Jose. As hockey neighbors, both clubs also share similar honors in sports and entertainment. The Thunder is a two-time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," and the Sharks recently finished as the 12th best overall franchise in ESPN's "Ultimate Standings," ranking all major sports franchises according to how much they give back to fans for all of time, money and emotion invested by each fan (conducted by ESPN: The Magazine). Both Stockton and San Jose advanced to their respective league's Conference Final playoff round last season.

OILING UP THE SHIP AGAIN

The Thunder and Edmonton Oilers renewed an affiliation partnership for the fifth consecutive season, continuing a pipeline to the NHL that has seen seven former members of the Thunder make their NHL debut since beginning in the Oilers farm system. Right wing Troy Bodie, goaltender Devan Dubnyk, right wing Colin McDonald, center Ryan O'Marra, center Tim Sestito, left wing Liam Reddox and defenseman Bryan Young - have gone on to play in the NHL. The Oilers, a member of the NHL's Western Conference and Northwest Division, have been a member of the National Hockey League since the 1979-80 season and have captured five Stanley Cup championships.

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



ECHL Stories from November 7, 2010


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