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Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Las Vegas Wranglers

November 24, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


HOME GAME PROMOTIONAL NOTES National Anthem Singers: "Fat City Four" Quartet Public Address Announcer: Mike McKnight In-Arena Emcee: D.J. Walker Autographs: Daryl Marcoux and Bretton Cameron

NEXT HOME GAME Friday, November 26, 2010 vs. Utah Grizzlies, 7:30 p.m., TEAM PHOTO GIVEAWAYpresented by In Shape Health Clubs FREE FRIDAY presented by MetroPCS BLACK FRIDAY SALE "" Stockton Arena "Fan Attic" (9:00 a.m. - end of game)

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP The Thunder, currently in first place in the Western Conference at 8-2-4 (20 points), and the Las Vegas Wranglers will meet at Stockton Arena for the first time this season. Through the lifetime series, the Thunder is 10-21-1 against the Wranglers and is 5-1-0 in the regular season in the last six games in Stockton. The last time both teams met, the Thunder defeated the Wranglers, 6-5, at Stockton Arena on Sunday, Mar. 28, 2010. It is the first of seven meetings between both clubs and last year, the Thunder went 3-3-0 in the series vs. Las Vegas. Among returning players on the Las Vegas roster, formerly suiting up for the Thunder, are right winger James Bates (2008-10), left wing Ryan Huddy (2008-09) and center Geoff Paukovich (2007-09).

LAST THREE GAMES: VIC 4 - STK 1 (11/22/10): David Shantz made 31 saves and the Victoria Salmon Kings scored three times in a span of 2:28 to send the Thunder to its first regulation loss since Oct. 15, 4-1, before 6,434 fans at Stockton Arena on Sunday. The Thunder, who had its club record 12-game unbeaten streak (8-0-4) in regulation snapped, got its only goal from Jason Pitton in the second period. Matt Siddall, Kiel McLeod and Ryan MacMurchy scored in the Victoria rally and were also spelled by an insurance goal from Chad Painchaud.

IDH 2 - STK 1 (SO) (11/21/10): The Thunder broke a club record for the longest unbeaten streak in regulation, extended to 12 straight games in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Idaho Steelheads before 8,126 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday night. The Thunder moved 8-0-4 in the last 12 games and claimed a point to move one ahead of Alaska for first place in the Western Conference. Garrett Zemlak produced 25 saves and was outdueled by Idaho's Mike Zacharias' 27 stops, including four of five in the shootout. John Swanson won the game in the fifth round with a wrist shot from beneath the hash marks that deflected off Zemlak's pads. Chris Lawrence scored in regulation for the Thunder.

STK 3 - IDH 2 (SO) (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.

SEASON SERIES (Thunder is 0-0-0) Wed. Nov. 24 Las Vegas 7:00 p.m. Wed. Dec. 29 Las Vegas 7:00 p.m. Thur. Dec. 30 Las Vegas 7:00 p.m. Tue. Feb. 1 at Las Vegas 7:05 p.m. Wed. Mar. 30 Las Vegas 7:00 p.m. Fri. Apr. 1 at Las Vegas 7:05 p.m. Sat. Apr. 2 at Las Vegas 7:05 p.m.

UPCOMING MILESTONES Chris Lawrence is 5 games away from 200 in his professional career Ryan Constant is 12 points away from 200 in his professional career

LIKE A BROKEN RECORD The Thunder broke a club record on Saturday, Nov. 20 in a 2-1 shootout loss to Idaho for a 12-game unbeaten streak in regulation (8-0-4). The previous standard was 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 last Thursday, in a 3-2 shootout win over the Idaho Steelheads.

HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT The Thunder have allowed just 26.6 shots per game, ranking second lowest in the ECHL (Alaska is 1st with 25.1). The Thunder have allowed over 30 shots on goal in just five games this year and allowed a season-low 19 shots twice this season, most recently on Nov. 7 vs. Bakersfield (4-0 win). Last Sunday, the Thunder outshot Victoria, 32-29 in a 4-1 defeat.

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/

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) * 355 2. Malcolm Cameron (four teams) * 304 3. Davis Payne (Alaska, Pee-Dee) 289 4. Glen Gulutzan (Las Vegas) 254 5. Matt Thomas (Stockton, Fre, A.C.) * 241 * Currently ECHL active

ROSTER SERVES A TALL ORDER Ten players on the Thunder active roster measure at 6-foot-1 or taller: Anthony Aiello (6-1), Cameron Brodie (6-1), Jesse Gimblett (6-3), Chris Lawrence (6-4), Jim McKenzie (6-2), Jason Pitton (6-3), Chase Ryan (6-2), Steve Vanoosten (6-1), Craig Valette (6-1) and Garrett Zemlak (6-1).

SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION The Thunder, taking on the Las Vegas Wranglers, share past historical connections between opposing locker rooms. Thunder head coach Matt Thomas previously coached or worked with Las Vegas head coach Ryan Mougenel ( former Atlantic City forward, Fresno and Stockton assistant coach) from 2002-03 and 2005-09. Fraser Clair was a forward and Stockton assistant coach Matt O'Dette was a defenseman for Fresno in 2005-06 when Thomas was head coach and Mougenel was assistant coach. On Las Vegas' side, three forwards of the Wranglers are on the roster, facing the Thunder for the first time since suiting up for the Thunder, and Thomas: James Bates (2008-10), Ryan Huddy (2008-09) and Geoff Paukovich (2007-09).

DATE: Wednesday, November 24, 2010 TIME: 7:00 p.m. SITE: Stockton Arena RADIO: 1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com (AmericaOne)



ECHL Stories from November 24, 2010


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