Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Idaho Steelheads

Published on November 18, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


The Stockton Thunder, at 7-0-3 in the last ten games and one win, overtime loss or shootout loss from tying a team record for an 11-game unbeaten streak in regulation, starts a five game homestand on Thursday. They will host the Idaho Steelheads in the first rematch at Stockton Arena since the two teams faced each other in last year's National Conference Final. The Thunder is 2-0-1 this year against Idaho. The Thunder was 2-1 at home in the Conference Final and was defeated by Idaho, 4-2 in the best-of-seven playoff series. All time, the Thunder is 19-25-4 against Idaho. Nearly 20 players combined between both teams are back from last year. The last time both teams met was last Saturday, when the Thunder defeated Idaho, 5-4 in a shootout at Qwest Arena. Stockton enters the week with the best record in the Western Conference and best win percentage in the ECHL.

LAST THREE GAMES:

STK 5 - IDH 4 (11/13/10): Chris D'Alvise's fourth career hat trick helped the Thunder (7-1-3, 17 points) erase a two goal deficit and rally in a 5-4 victory over the Idaho Steelheads, before 4,858 fans at Qwest Arena on Saturday. The Thunder, who became the first team since the 2007-08 Fresno Falcons to take at least five of six points in a three-game series in the regular season at Qwest Arena, stretched its unbeaten streak in regulation to 7-0-3 in ten games, one shy of the Thunder record. Bretton Cameron and Chris Lawrence also chipped in with goals for the Thunder.

IDH 4 - STK 3 (SO) (11/12/10): Steve Oleksy scored a shootout winning goal in the seventh round and Mark Derlago had two assists to help the Idaho Steelheads escape with a 4-3 shootout victory over the Thunder before a crowd of 3,998 at Qwest Arena on Friday night. The Thunder, who remained unbeaten in regulation at 6-0-3 in the last nine games, were helped out with goals from Chris D'Alvise (new Thunder record for fastest goal), Chris Lawrence and Jim McKenzie. Goaltender Bryan Pitton made 26 saves, moving his record to 3-0-1. His counterpart, Mike Zacharias, collected his first win as a Steelhead with 34 stops.

STK 2 - IDH 1 (SO) (11/10/10): Goaltender Bryan Pitton made 32 saves and stopped all three shots faced in a shootout, helping the Thunder overcome a late third period deficit and rally in a 2-1 shootout victory over the Idaho Steelheads at Qwest Arena on Wednesday night. The Thunder, who served payback after a series defeat to Idaho, 4-2 in a best-of-seven series in the Conference Final last year, improved to 6-0-2 in the last eight games and forced overtime with a goal from rookie Jesse Gimblett with 3:42 left in regulation. Aaron Clarke, Jason Pitton and Chris D'Alvise scored for Stockton in the shootout.

SEASON SERIES (Thunder is 2-0-1)

Wed. Nov. 10 Stockton 2 at Idaho 1 (SO)

Fri. Nov. 12 Stockton 3 at Idaho 4 (SO)

Sat. Nov. 13 Stockton 5 at Idaho 4

Thur. Nov. 18 Idaho 7:00 p.m.

Sat. Nov. 20 Idaho 7:30 p.m.

Fri. Jan. 28 Idaho 7:30 p.m.

Sat. Jan. 29 Idaho 7:30 p.m.

Sun. Jan. 30 Idaho 4:00 p.m.

Fri. Mar. 18 Idaho 7:30 p.m.

Sat. Mar. 19 Idaho 7:30 p.m.

Sun. Mar. 20 Idaho 4:00 p.m.

UPCOMING MILESTONES

Chris Lawrence is 8 games away from 200 in his professional career

Ryan Constant is 12 points away from 200 in his professional career

THE MOUSTACHE IS BACK

Several members of the Stockton Thunder team and hockey staff are growing individual moustaches in support of "Movember," a benefit among several teams in the NHL, AHL and ECHL to raise funds and awareness for men's health. The funds raised through Movember's U.S. campaign benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) and LIVESTRONG, the Lance Armstrong Foundation while donations for individual Thunder moustache pledges are being accepted online. Much like the commitment to run or walk for charity, the men of Movember commit to growing a moustache for 30 days. More information can be found at www.movember.com and the Thunder pledge site is located at: http://us.movember.com/donate/your-details/team_id/180798/

SO WE MEET AGAIN ...

The Thunder and Idaho Steelheads renew acquaintances at Stockton Arena for the first time after last year's Conference Final. The Thunder was defeated by Idaho, 4-2 in the best-of-seven series. Idaho advanced onto the Kelly Cup Final with the series victory. Stockton achieved its deepest playoff run in team history with a berth in the Conference Final. Ryan Constant, Jason Pitton, Steve Vanoosten and Anthony Aiello all scored four points in the series to lead the returning players in scoring.

THUNDER CROWDS ROLL IN

The Thunder currently is third in ECHL attendance with an average of 6,201 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, welcoming 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 on the Nov. 6 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 ranks third in wins 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) * 353

2. Malcolm Cameron (four teams) * 303

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

4. Glen Gulutzan (Las Vegas) 254

5. Matt Thomas (Stockton, Fre, A.C.) * 240

* Currently ECHL active

FAST STARTER

Chris D'Alvise entered the Thunder record books on Friday, Nov. 12, and it didn't take long from the opening faceoff. He scored a goal nine seconds into the game at Idaho, breaking the Thunder all-time record for fastest goal to begin a game. The record was previously held by Tyler Spurgeon, who scored 13 seconds into a game at Victoria on Nov. 17, 2006.

ROSTER SERVES A TALL ORDER

Ten 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), Chase Ryan (6-2), Steve Vanoosten (6-1), Craig Valette (6-1) and Garrett Zemlak (6-1).

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