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"Great American Wedding Rink" Highlights Three at Home

February 10, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS: (all times PT)

vs. UTAH GRIZZLIES (Friday - 7:30 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN, B2 Networks

The Thunder faces the Utah Grizzlies for the third time this season, marking the first time both teams meet at Stockton Arena. Through 24 games in the lifetime series, the Thunder is 9-12-3 against Utah. The Thunder dropped two consecutive games to the Grizzlies on Dec. 12-13 and last time both clubs met, the Grizzlies defeated the Thunder 5-3 at The E-Center. The game begins a stretch of three games in three nights for the Thunder. Making his first return to Stockton as an opponent is Tim Verbeek, who played for the Thunder from 2006-08.

vs. BAKERSFIELD CONDORS (Saturday - 7:30 p.m.) - B2 Networks**

The Thunder continues a stretch of playing seven home games out of eight total with a Saturday contest against the Bakersfield Condors. It will be the second meeting at Stockton Arena between both teams this season. It is the fifth of seven games against the Condors for the 2008-09 season and in the last meeting, the Condors defeated the Thunder 7-3 on Dec. 26 at Rabobank Arena. Stockton carries at lifetime record of 11-11-7 against Bakersfield and is 1-3-0 against the Condors this year. The game will feature a bobblehead giveaway in the likeness of Thunder all-star center Cory Urquhart while the ice of Stockton Arena will be turned into a large wedding for "Great American Wedding Rink," as couples will be wed on during the first intermission!

**Saturday's broadcast carried via internet only at www.StocktonThunder.com

vs. ONTARIO REIGN (Sunday - 4:00 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN, B2 Networks

The Thunder faces the Ontario Reign in the eighth matchup of the year between both clubs and the first time both teams meet at Stockton Arena since Dec. 6. The game finishes a stretch of three games in three nights for the Thunder at Stockton Arena. The Thunder is 3-3-1 vs. Ontario this year. The teams last met on Feb. 6 in Ontario when the Thunder defeated the Reign 5-1 with just 13 skaters in the lineup. Entering the week, the Thunder stands just three points behind Ontario for first place in the Pacific Division.

1420 KSTN is the Thunder's flagship radio station and all Thunder games can be heard live on the Internet (free-of-charge) and are available for viewing at a $7 "pay-per-view" charge at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks. Radio broadcaster Mike Benton provides play-by-play commentary, with the "Thunder Forecast" pre-game show starting 15 minutes before each broadcast.

PROMOTIONAL NEWS

Friday, February 13 vs. Utah, 7:30 p.m.

PLAYER POSTER NIGHT (2 of 4) (Presented by KHOP 95.1 & In-Shape Health Clubs)

- All fans in attendance receive a commemorative poster of 2008-09 Thunder players Mark Adamek, Sebastien Bisaillon, Ryan Constant and Adam Huxley !

BE COOL ... READ! (Presented by 99.3 KJOY & Comcast)

- Students who met reading goals in participating schools receive free tickets to tonight's game

Saturday, February 14 vs. Bakersfield, 7:30 p.m.

GREAT AMERICAN WEDDING RINK (presented by KAT Country 103)

- Come experience a unique event where hockey and Valentine's Day collide, as couples are wed on the of Stockton Arena by radio personality D.J. Walker during the first intermission!

CORY URQUHART BOBBLEHEAD NIGHT

- The first 1,000 kids (ages 12 and under) will receive a collectible bobblehead of Thunder all-star center Cory Urquhart!

BE COOL ... READ! (Presented by 99.3 KJOY & Comcast)

- Students who met reading goals in participating schools receive free tickets to tonight's game

FRESNO FALCONS TRIBUTE NIGHT

- The Thunder pays tribute to its former rival by offering Falcons fans discounted tickets, while "Freddie the Falcon" is scheduled to make an appearance!

Sunday, February 15 vs. Ontario, 7:30 p.m.

FAMILY DAY (Presented by MetroPCS, 99.3 KJOY)

- $34 family upper premium / end zone admission (four tickets, four hockey pucks) with coupon available by visiting participating MetroPCS locations.

BE COOL ... READ! (Presented by 99.3 KJOY & Comcast)

- Students who met reading goals in participating schools receive free tickets to tonight's game

NEVER A WASTED TICKET NIGHT

- Season ticket holders can redeem old tickets for a ticket of the same or lesser value for this game (subject to availability)

Show someone you care with the Stockton Thunder and Edible Arrangements!

This season during every Sunday home game one lucky fan will be awarded a beautiful and delicious fruit bouquet courtesy of Edible Arrangements. If you have a co-worker, friend, or family member you feel deserves special recognition, log on to www.StocktonThunder.com and nominate them for the Edible Arrangements Sentimental Moment!

Go Green With the Thunder's "Recycle Wednesday" Campaign!

Join the Thunder by "going green" in the Thunder's "Recycle Wednesday" on Feb. 25, when the Thunder hosts the Las Vegas Wranglers at 7:00 p.m.! All fans who exchange ten bottles or 20 cans to the Stockton Arena Ticket Office on the day of the game will receive a free coupon for that game, redeemable for $4 off the full admission price!

TEAM LEADERS:

Points - Ryan Huddy (49)

Goals - Ryan Huddy (26)

Assists - Ryan Huddy (23)

Plus/Minus - Daryl Marcoux (+18)

Penalty Minutes - Garet Hunt (197)

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Matt O'Dette is 12 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

o Cory Urquhart is 2 goals away from 100 and 13 points away from 200 in his ECHL career

o Craig Valette is 4 points away from 100 in his professional career

TEAM NOTES:

- Ryan Huddy leads the Thunder and is fourth among ECHL rookies with 49 points (26g-23a)

- Rookie Garet Hunt leads the ECHL with 186 penalty minutes

- Goaltender Andrew Perugini is 8-0-0 with a .941 save percentage in his last eight appearances

- Stockton leads the ECHL in attendance with an average of 6,310 fans (20 games)

- Stockton is 6-3-0 in its last nine home games

- Stockton is 13-4-1 under head coach Matt Thomas

The team's upcoming schedule for the coming week is as follows:

(subject to change, all times PT)

TUE. FEB. 10:

Day off

WED. FEB. 11:

Day off

THURS, FEB. 12:

10:00 a.m. - Practice at Oak Park Ice Arena (Stockton)

FRI, FEB. 13:

10:00 a.m. - Morning skate at Stockton Arena

6:00 p.m. - Media availability ends

7:30 p.m. - GAME VS. UTAH

1420 KSTN / StocktonThunder.com

SAT, FEB. 14:

10:00 a.m. - Morning skate at Stockton Arena

6:00 p.m. - Media availability ends

7:30 p.m. - GAME VS. BAKERSFIELD

StocktonThunder.com

SUN. FEB. 15:

No morning skate

2:30 p.m. - Media availability ends

4:00 p.m. - GAME VS. ONTARIO

1420 KSTN / StocktonThunder.com

MON. FEB. 16:

Day off

WEEK IN REVIEW

2/9/09 - IDA 6 at STK 1: Battling through their fourth game in six nights with a shorthanded roster, the Stockton Thunder (23-21-5, 51 points) had its five-game winning streak snapped by giving up six straight goals in a 6-1 loss to the Idaho Steelheads before 4,245 fans at Stockton Arena on Monday night. Kris Sparre led Idaho's offense with the first hat trick of his pro career, while veteran Marty Flichel registered three assists. Mike Lalonde scored the only Thunder goal while Idaho goaltender Matt Climie registered 17 saves.

2/8/09 - AK 2 at STK 3: With another shorthanded roster, this time with 14 skaters, the Stockton Thunder (23-20-5, 51 points) parlayed a wire-to-wire lead for their fifth straight victory in a 3-2 triumph over the Alaska Aces before 5,646 fans at Stockton Arena on Sunday. On a day where he was honored with a t-shirt giveaway, Mike Lalonde notched a goal and an assist, including a helper on Cory Urquhart's shorthanded goal in the second period which was the eventual game-winner. Ryan Huddy also scored for the Thunder, who were aided by goaltender Andrew Perugini's eighth straight victory in net and 19 saves. Lance Galbraith and Erik Fabian scored for Alaska.

2/7/09 - STK 5 at ONT 1: Behind just 13 skaters to begin the game and five different goal-scorers, the Stockton Thunder (22-20-5, 49 points) moved to within three points of the Pacific Division-leading Ontario Reign in a 5-1 victory over the host Reign before a crowd of 6,569 at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Friday. The Thunder, who won their fourth game in a row, received goal-scoring support from Mike Lalonde, Matt O'Dette, Craig Valette, Cory Urquhart and Ryan Huddy. Goaltender Andrew Perugini made 32 saves for his seventh straight win in net. Ontario's Geoff Walker scored the team's only goal while Kellen Briggs, an ECHL All-Star in 2008, allowed five goals on 35 shots for the loss.

2/4/09 - AK 1 at STK 3: Goaltender Andrew Perugini had to make only 19 saves to increase his winning streak to six straight games in net, helping the Stockton Thunder (21-20-5, 47 points) sink the Alaska Aces in a 3-1 victory before a crowd of 3,469 at Stockton Arena on Wednesday. The Thunder, who were equipped with just 14 skaters in the lineup, won their third straight game to surpass the .500 mark for the first time this season and climbed back to a five-point deficit behind the Ontario Reign for first place in the Pacific Division. Cory Urquhart, Ryan Huddy and James Bates scored for the Thunder while Alaska countered with a second period goal from Alexandre Imbeault.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

(courtesy of The Record)

"It was a simple win, we did what was necessary to win and that's what matters," Thunder coach Matt Thomas said. "We definitely got a little tired, and it was an ugly win. In some ways we walked away uglier than we started. Look at Lalonde's nose."

- Head Coach Matt Thomas on the Thunder's 3-2 win vs. Alaska, The Record, 2/9/09

"We're having fun, and we look at this as more of a challenge than a problem," O'Dette said. "You always get up for a challenge."

- Defenseman Matt O'Dette on winning with a shorthanded roster, The Record, 2/8/09

STOCKTON THUNDER STATISTICS (as of Feb. 10, 2009)

The proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, the Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for three consecutive seasons and drew 239,337 fans to Stockton Arena in 2007-08. Season, group, individual tickets and mini plan packages are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.StocktonThunder.com.



ECHL Stories from February 10, 2009


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.

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