Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Idaho Steelheads

Published on November 20, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


The Stockton Thunder, at 8-0-3 in the last 11 games, continues a five game homestand on Thursday. A win, overtime loss or shootout loss breaks a team record for longest unbeaten streak in regulation. The Thunder is 3-0-1 this year against Idaho and was 2-1 at home in the Conference Final. Stockton was defeated by Idaho, 4-2 in the best-of-seven playoff series. All time, the Thunder is 20-25-4 against Idaho. Nearly 20 players combined between both teams are back from last year. The last time both teams met was last Thursday, when the Thunder defeated Idaho, 3-2 in a shootout at Stockton Arena. Stockton enters the week with the best record in the Western Conference and best win percentage in the ECHL.

LAST THREE GAMES:

STK 3 - IDH 2 (11/19/10): Goaltender Garrett Zemlak made 34 saves and stopped four of five shooters in a shootout, winning in his debut with the Thunder in a 3-2 shootout victory over the Idaho Steelheads at Stockton Arena on Thursday night. The Thunder, who hasn't lost in regulation since Oct. 15, tied a club record 11-game unbeaten streak (8-0-3) and moved into a tie for the best record in the ECHL, shared with Gwinnett and Elmira. Mark Arcobello and Bretton Cameron each scored for the Thunder, who neutralized a late, game-tying goal by John Swanson with 51 seconds remaining.

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.

SEASON SERIES (Thunder is 3-0-1)

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 2 at Stockton 3 (SO)

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 7 games away from 200 in his professional career

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

THIS GOES TO ELEVEN

Currently on an 11-game streak at 8-0-3, unbeaten in regulation, one more win, shootout loss or overtime loss breaks the Thunder record for longest unbeaten streak in regulation, set with an 11-0-0 run in 2006-07. The Thunder began the streak with a 5-4 overtime loss to Ontario on Oct. 16 at Stockton Arena and tied the mark on Thursday, in a 3-2 shootout win over the Idaho Steelheads.

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/

DEBUTS, FROM A TO Z(EMLAK)

Garrett Zemlak became the fifth goaltender to win in his debut with the Thunder, stopping 34 shots and 4 of 5 in a shootout on Thursday, Nov. 18 (3-2 SO win vs. Idaho). Zemlak was signed by the Thunder as a free agent on Nov. 16, 2010 and skated in NHL training camp with the Los Angeles Kings.

GOALTENDERS TO WIN IN THUNDER DEBUT

GOALTENDER DATE OPPONENT SCORE SAVES

1. Devan Dubnyk 10/20/06 @Bakersfield 6-1 48 saves

2. Cam Ellsworth 10/27/06 @Long Beach 3-1 22 saves

3. Tim Boron 11/28/07 @Utah 4-3 (SO) 32 saves

4. Andrew Perugini 11/1/08 @Bakersfield 8-3 32 saves

5. Garrett Zemlak 11/18/10 Idaho 3-2 (SO) 34 saves

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.) * 241

* Currently ECHL active

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



ECHL Stories from November 20, 2010


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