Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Victoria Salmon Kings

Published on November 21, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


The Thunder continues a homestand and concludes three games in four days by hosting the Victoria Salmon Kings at Stockton Arena, the first of 13 games between the two clubs. The Thunder is 18-20-5 lifetime against Victoria and last season, went 7-4-1 last year in the head-to-head series. For the first time this season, the Thunder will wear their gold third jerseys, traditional for every Sunday home game. It will also feature the return of Salmon Kings forward Ryan MacMurchy, who suited up for the Thunder for two seasons (2007-09). Fans who bring a new or gently used coat to the game will receive free admission in the Thunder's annual "Coats for Kids" drive presented by News10 and AAA.

LAST THREE GAMES:

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.

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.

SEASON SERIES (Thunder is 0-0-0)

Sun. Nov. 21 Victoria 4:00 p.m.

Wed. Dec. 1 at Victoria 7:05 p.m.

Fri. Dec. 3 at Victoria 7:05 p.m.

Sat. Dec. 4 at Victoria 7:05 p.m.

Wed. Jan. 5 at Victoria 7:05 p.m.

Fri. Jan. 7 at Victoria 7:05 p.m.

Sat. Jan. 8 at Victoria 7:05 p.m.

Fri. Feb. 18 Victoria 7:30 p.m.

Sat. Feb. 19 Victoria 7:30 p.m.

Sun. Feb. 20 Victoria 4:00 p.m.

Fri. Mar. 25 Victoria 7:30 p.m.

Sat. Mar. 26 Victoria 7:30 p.m.

Sun. Mar. 27 Victoria 4:00 p.m.

UPCOMING MILESTONES

Chris Lawrence is 6 games away from 200 in his professional career

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

LIKE A BROKEN RECORD

Currently on a 12-game streak at 8-0-4, unbeaten in regulation, the Thunder broke a club record on Saturday, Nov. 20 in a 2-1 shootout loss to Idaho. 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 on Thursday, in a 3-2 shootout win over the Idaho Steelheads.

HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT

The Thunder have allowed just 26.4 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 night, the Thunder outshot Idaho, 28-27 in a 2-1 shootout loss.

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) * 353

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

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