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Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Utah Grizzlies

November 26, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


The Thunder faces the Utah Grizzlies for the first meeting of this season at Stockton Arena. The Thunder is 12-16-3, lifetime against Utah. The last meeting between both teams was on Mar. 21, when Utah defeated Stockton, 5-2 at Stockton Arena. The first of 11 games against Utah this season, Friday's game wraps up a five-game homestand for the Thunder, who enter the week 5-1-2 at home. Stockton is 2-1-2 in the last five home games vs. Utah.

LAST THREE GAMES:

LV 1 ‚¬" STK 0 (11/24/10): Goaltender Michael Ouzas made a season high 42 saves for his fifth career shutout, helping the Las Vegas Wranglers defeat the Thunder, 1-0, before a crowd of 4,018 at Stockton Arena on Wednesday night. The Thunder, who were shut out for the first time this season, came within three shots of matching their season-high and outshot Las Vegas, 42-13 in the game to tie the team's all-time record for least shots allowed. Ouzas also had all 20 shots turned away in the second period. Garrett Zemlak took the loss for the Thunder with 12 stops. Ned Lukacevic scored the only goal in the first period.

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.

UPCOMING MILESTONES

Chris Lawrence is 4 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 25.7 shots per game, ranking second lowest in the ECHL (Alaska is 1st with 25.4). The Thunder have allowed over 30 shots on goal in just five games this year and on Nov. 24, the Thunder tied a franchise low with 13 shots allowed in a 1-0 defeat to Las Vegas. They outshot Las Vegas, 42-13.

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) * 305

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 and Utah Grizzlies present a reunion with two figures behind the bench. Thunder head coach Matt Thomas was an assistant coach for Atlantic City in 2002-03 when they won the Kelly Cup Championship. Kevin Colley, currently the head coach of the Grizzlies, was the MVP of the Kelly Cup Playoffs that season for Atlantic City. Additionally, right winger Riley Emmerson, currently on the Utah roster, returns to Stockton Arena for the first time since suiting up for the Thunder last season.

BLACK FRIDAY ACT

The Thunder got into the "Black Friday" act this morning, opening doors to its "Fan Attic" team store at 9:00 a.m. for a sale lasting until the end of tonight's game. The first 25 customers received a free gift and customers were treated to discounts on numerous Thunder merchandise items.

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