Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Fresno Falcons

Published on December 27, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


FACEOFF: 7:00 p.m. PT

RADIO: 1420-AM KSTN

INTERNET: www.stocktonthunder.com (B2 Networks)

RECORDS:

Stockton Thunder (11-14-2, 24 points) - 3rd, Pacific

Fresno Falcons (14-8-3, 31 points) - 2nd, Pacific

2007-08 HEAD-TO-HEAD SERIES

11/12/07 Fresno 4 at Stockton 1

12/27/07 Fresno at Stockton

01/16/08 Fresno at Stockton

01/27/08 Stockton at Fresno

02/09/08 Stockton at Fresno

02/18/08 Stockton at Fresno

02/22/08 Stockton at Fresno

03/14/08 Fresno at Stockton

03/15/08 Fresno at Stockton

04/01/08 Stockton at Fresno

UPCOMING MILESTONES

¡ñ Chris Cichocki is 6 wins shy of 200 in his ECHL coaching career

¡ñ Phil Cole is 1 game shy of 300 in his professional career

¡ñ Brad Farynuk is 12 games shy of 100 in his professional career

¡ñ Stephane Goulet is 11 games shy of 100 in his professional career

¡ñ Brian Lee is 1 game shy of 100 in his ECHL career

TONIGHT¡¯S MATCHUP

The Thunder renews acquaintances with its nearest in-state rival, facing the Fresno Falcons at Stockton Arena to begin a stretch of three games in three consecutive days. The Thunder is currently engulfed in a season-long five-game homestand and tonight¡¯s game will be the third of 10 meetings between both teams and the second at Stockton Arena. The Thunder is 3-13-3 in the all-time series.

LAST GAME RECAP

Andy Contois¡¯ third period power-play goal with 4:27 left in regulation helped break a 2-2 tie and lift the Thunder to a 6-2 victory over the Phoenix RoadRunners before a crowd of 6,063 at Stockton Arena last Saturday. The Thunder was led by Jonas Almtorp¡¯s career-high three-point (1g-2a) effort and Brandon Schwartz¡¯s season-high three points (1g-2a), with all of Schwartz¡¯s offense aiding the Thunder in the final 20 minutes. Goaltender Tim Boron stopped 33 shots.

PROSPECT WATCH

Seventh round pick left wing Stephane Goulet (2004, Edmonton Oilers) has nine points (3g-6a) in his last five games ¡- fourth round pick and rookie center Jonas Almtorp (2002, Edmonton Oilers) had a career-high 3 points (1g-2a) in last Saturday¡¯s win against Phoenix ¡- Jacob Micflikier (AHL contract with the Springfield Falcons) has 12 points (4g-8a) in his last five games.

CALLING ALL-STARS ¡-

For the third consecutive year, the Thunder will be represented by a multiple number of players in the ECHL All-Star Game, currently represented by left wing Jacob Micflikier, center Ryan O¡¯Marra (currently on recall to Springfield of the AHL) and defenseman Brad Farynuk with the game and festivities coming to Stockton Arena on January 22-23. Last year, the Thunder was represented by four players (Beau Geisler, Nathan Martz, Devan Dubnyk and Troy Bodie) while two made the National Conference starting lineup (Geisler, Martz).

FRIENDLY FOES

Tonight is the first game that Fresno Falcons goaltender Jake Moreland will set foot in Stockton Arena as a member of the opposition after backstopping the Thunder as an ECHL All-Star in 2005-06, also holding the title as the first signed free-agent in Thunder history in July of 2005. In the Thunder dressing room are two links to Moreland¡¯s past ¨C veteran defenseman Tim O¡¯Connell and Moreland were classmates at Grand Forks Central (N.D.) High School, while Thunder goaltender Tim Boron succeeded Moreland between the pipes in college at St. Cloud State (Minn.) University.

ABOUT THE FALCONS

The Fresno Falcons are in their fifth season of ECHL play and independent of an NHL affiliate ¨C previously, they were affiliated with the San Jose Sharks, who departed their partnership after the 2006-07 season. Fresno has qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs in the last two consecutive seasons, led by head coach Matt Thomas who produced a 34-29-9 record (77 points), garnering a seventh seed in last year¡¯s playoffs. Star forward Luke Curtin, a five-time ECHL All-Star selection, returns to Fresno for his third consecutive season after leading the Falcons in scoring for the last two years. Curtin enters the week in the ECHL¡¯s top-10 all-time assist rank. Slated to represent Fresno in next month¡¯s Chase Chevrolet ECHL All-Star Game at Stockton Arena are forwards Oren Eizenman, Igor Gongalsky and defenseman Kenny MacAulay.



ECHL Stories from December 27, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central