Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Fresno Falcons

February 9, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


FACEOFF: 7:30 p.m. PT

RADIO: None

INTERNET: www.stocktonthunder.com (B2 Networks)

RECORDS:

Stockton Thunder (19-24-3, 41 points) - 3rd, Pacific

Fresno Falcons (25-12-7, 57 points) - 2nd, Pacific

2007-08 HEAD-TO-HEAD SERIES

11/12/07 Fresno 4 at Stockton 1

12/27/07 Fresno 0 at Stockton 2

01/16/08 Fresno 1 at Stockton 2

01/27/08 Stockton 2at Fresno 5

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

o Spencer Carbery is 4 games away from 100 in his professional career

o Andy Contois is 12 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP

The Thunder faces its closest geographical rival in the Fresno Falcons at Save Mart Center, looking for its first road win against Fresno in the club's all-time history. The Thunder is 2-2-0 in the season series and is led by Andy Contois' six points (4g-2a) in the four-game head-to-head set. The Thunder last dropped a 5-2 loss to Fresno at Save Mart Center on January 27 and is 0-8-1 all time in Fresno.

LAST GAME RECAP

Marc-Andre Bernier scored two goals, including the game-winner in the third period while adding an assist to help the Victoria Salmon Kings escape with a 4-3 win over the Thunder before 4,378 at Stockton Arena on Thursday night. Newly-acquired forward Jason Beeman made his presence felt at the Stockton Arena as he assisted on a pair of goals by Thunder left wing Andy Contois, who also led the Thudner with two goals.

FIRST THING'S FIRST

Of the 19 wins the Thunder has accumulated this season, 18 have come when the Thunder scores the first goal of the game. The Thunder is 18-8-1 when scoring the first goal of the game.

CROWDING OUT THE ECHL

The Thunder remains the league's leader in attendance with a league-high average of 6,513 fans in 23 dates (149,803 total) and has drawn two sellouts (9,737) this season. The Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for two consecutive seasons, drew 244,085 fans to Stockton Arena in 2006-07 and drew the fifth largest crowd in ECHL All-Star Game history on January 23 with a total of 7,455 fans.

PAUK AND ROLL

Rookie center Geoff Paukovich is enjoying his best offensive stretch of the season, scoring four goals in four games. A second round selection (57th overall) by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2004 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Paukovich spent the 2007-08 NHL training camp period with the Oilers and ranks third on the Thunder with 12 goals.

ROHLFS AND BEEMAN JOIN LINEUP

The Thunder skated with a full lineup on Thursday as rookie David Rohlfs and right wing Jason Beeman are added to the active roster. Rohlfs, a fifth round (154th overall) selection by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2003 National Hockey League Entry Draft, was re-assigned to the Thunder on Wednesday from the AHL affiliate Springfield Falcons. Beeman was acquired in a trade with the Texas Wildcatters on Monday in exchange for future considerations had two assists in his debut with the Thunder on Thursday.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: NEW TRADE ACQUISITION JASON BEEMAN

"(Thunder radio color commentator) Derek (Eisler) recommended Jason, and I like what I know about him. He's a pit bull type of player. I know I'm acquiring a guy who isn't afraid to fight."

- Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki, The Record, 2/5/08

ABOUT THE FALCONS

The Fresno Falcons are in their fifth season of ECHL play and independent of an NHL affiliate - 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.



ECHL Stories from February 9, 2008


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