Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Idaho Steelheads

Published on November 25, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


FACEOFF: 7:00 p.m.

RADIO: None (92.5 FM inside Stockton Arena)

INTERNET: www.StocktonThunder.com (B2 Networks)

TICKETS: Click here

MILESTONE TRACKER

o Mike Bayrack is 32 points away from 400 in his ECHL career

o Judd Blackwater is 15 games away from 100 in his professional career

o Kelly Czuy is 25 points away from 100 in his professional career

o Igor Gongalsky is 27 points away from 100 in his professional career

2009-10 HEAD-TO-HEAD SERIES

Fri. Oct. 16 Stockton 1 at Idaho 3

Sat. Oct. 17 Stockton 2 at Idaho 3

Sun. Oct. 18 Stockton 2 at Idaho 3

Fri. Nov. 13 Idaho 2 at Stockton 1 (SO)

Sat. Nov. 14 Idaho 4 at Stockton 2

Sun. Nov. 15 Idaho 3 at Stockton 1

Wed. Nov. 25 Idaho 7:00 p.m.

Fri. Nov. 27 Idaho 7:30 p.m.

Sat. Nov. 28 Idaho 7:30 p.m.

Thur. Dec. 31 @ Idaho 6:10 p.m.

Fri, Jan. 1, 2010 @ Idaho 6:10 p.m.

Sat. Jan. 2 @ Idaho 6:10 p.m.

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP

The Thunder hosts the Idaho Steelheads beginning Wednesday for three games in four days to kick-off a five-game homestand at Stockton Arena. Through 39 games in the lifetime series, the Thunder is 16-20-3 against Idaho and is looking to snap a six-game winless streak in the season series (0-5-1 vs. Idaho). The last time both teams met, Idaho defeated the Thunder, 3-1 on Nov. 15 at Stockton Arena. Both teams will face each other 12 times in the first 32 games and Idaho will not return to Stockton for the remainder of the regular season after Saturday's game.

LAST 3 THUNDER GAMES

STK 4 - ONT 3 (OT) (11/21/09): Veteran forward Jason Pitton's wrist shot from the right circle at 1:35 of sudden death overtime helped the Thunder thwart a rally by the Ontario Reign and take a 4-3 overtime victory before an announced crowd of 7,705 at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Saturday night. The win snapped the Thunder's seven-game winless streak (0-4-3) and Craig Valette led the Stockton offense with a three-point game (1g-2a), supporting three-power play goals in regulation by Valette, Judd Blackwater and Ryan Constant. Goaltender Andrew Perugini secured the victory with 39 saves. Tim Kraus, Michael Egener and Greg Hogeboom scored for Ontario.

STK 2 - ONT 8 (11/20/09): Rookie forward Peter Lenes scored two goals to help lead a six-unanswered goal rally by the Ontario Reign in the first 35 minutes of play, sending the Thunder to an 8-2 defeat before 5,269 fans at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Friday. The loss, which spoiled the return of Igor Gongalsky to the lineup, extended the Thunder winless streak to seven games (0-4-3) and Ontario goaltender Mike Zacharias picked up the win with 21 saves.

IDH 3 - STK 1 (11/15/09): Rookie goaltender Richard Bachman made 20 saves helping the Idaho Steelheads edge the Thunder, 3-1 before 5,359 fans at Stockton Arena on Sunday night. Idaho, who swept the three-game weekend series and extended their record to 6-0-0 over the Thunder this year, got a game-winning goal from Evan Barlow (1g-1a) in the second period to improve to 11-2-1 overall (23 points) and surpass the Elmira Jackals' 22 points for the league's top record. Garet Hunt scored the only Thunder goal in the third period, whose winless skid reached an 0-3-3 mark.

THUNDER CROWDS ROLLING IN

The Thunder leads the ECHL in attendance with an average of 6,365 fans per game (an increase of 2 percent over last year) and is vying to tie a league record by leading the league in attendance for five straight seasons. The Thunder led the ECHL in attendance last year with an average of 6,218 fans through 36 home games. Stockton has 14 sellouts in the team's franchise history and drew a standing room only crowd of 9,392 last Saturday vs. Alaska. Last year, the Thunder became the first team since 2004-05 to lead the ECHL in attendance for four straight seasons (Florida led the ECHL in attendance for five straight seasons - 2000-05).

POWER TRIP

The Thunder power-play ranks second in the ECHL at 25.3 percent (20-for-79) and converted at a 3-for-4 rate against Ontario on Nov. 21. Forward Judd Blackwater has six power-play goals to lead the team and is tied for the ECHL lead.

POWER PLAY GOAL LEADERS (ECHL)

1. Matt Pierce (CIN) 6

Judd Blackwater (STK) 6

2. Several tied 5

CAUDRON COMES IN

Tonight marks the debut of new Thunder forward Jean-Francois (J.F.) Caudron, who signed with the Thunder as a free agent on Monday, Nov. 23. Caudron, 31, will wear jersey #12 and returns to the ECHL after a six-year stint in Europe with Bremerhaven and Heilbronn of the 2nd Eishockey-Bundesliga (2.Gbun) and the German Oberliga Leagues, producing over a point-per-game pace through 254 career games with 381 points (153g-228a) and 153 goals. Caudron is reunited with head coach Matt Thomas after the two helped guide the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (Caudron as a forward and Thomas as assistant coach) to a Kelly Cup championship in 2003. That year, Caudron led the team and ranked 5th in the ECHL with 39 goals.

ONE IN A MILLION

The Thunder has launched a special landmark "One Millionth Fan" contest which began Oct. 23. The contest begins the official countdown to search for one millionth fan to cross the turnstiles of Stockton Arena in the Thunder's five year history. As the reigning four-time ECHL attendance leader, the Thunder needs just 19,802 fans to reach the one million mark. The lucky fan will be selected as fans enter Stockton Arena, on the day the Thunder is scheduled to reach the one millionth fan mark. Upon selection, the lucky fan to cross the turnstiles will be awarded an array of prizes, including a vacation stay at Yosemite Lodge (Yosemite National Park), 2009-10 season tickets and an Amtrak train trip to Salt Lake City to see the Thunder face the Utah Grizzlies.

"BLACK FRIDAY" HITS STOCKTON ARENA FAN ATTIC FROM NOON-5:00

The Stockton Arena "Fan Attic," the official team store of the Thunder, will slash prices on select shirts, sweatshirts, jerseys and more for a special "Black Friday" event for hockey fans of all ages, from Noon-5:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27. Beginning this Wednesday, the Fan Attic will be open from Noon-5:00 p.m. for special holiday hours and stay open each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from Noon-5:00 p.m. until Dec. 23.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"I just want to come in here and help us win, and I'm prepared to do whatever I have to do to accomplish that," Caudron said. "I just want to do well."

- Right winger J.F. Caudron after signing with the Thunder as a free agent on Nov. 23, The Record, 11/25/09

OILING UP THE SHIP

For the fourth consecutive season, Stockton will serve as the AA minor-league affiliate for Oilers prospects. Since the Thunder and Oilers began their partnership in 2006-07, the Thunder has advanced to the Kelly Cup Playoffs three consecutive years and four former Thunder players - right wing Troy Bodie, center Tim Sestito, left wing Liam Reddox and defenseman Bryan Young - have gone on to play in the NHL.

Players with the Thunder that have been assigned through the Oilers AHL affiliate, the Springfield Falcons:

Andrew Perugini (G)

Bryan Pitton (G)

Jordan Bendfeld (D)

James Bates (RW)

Kelly Czuy (RW)

Riley Emmerson (RW)

Bryan Young (D)

LETTER JACKET

Center Craig Valette was named the fourth captain in Thunder history on Oct. 15 (Dean Stork, Brad Farynuk and Matt O'Dette). He served as acting captain during nine games of the Kelly Cup Playoffs last year after an injury to O'Dette, the captain for 08-09. With alternate captains Bryan Young and Kenny MacAulay currently playing in the AHL. current Thunder forward Igor Gongalsky and defenseman Daryl Marcoux are serving as alternate captains in their place.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from November 25, 2009


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