Home-ice Advantage Battle Heats Up

March 26, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS: (all times PT)

vs. FRESNO FALCONS (Tuesday * March 27, 7:00 p.m.)

A local rivalry is renewed as the Thunder and Fresno Falcons (ECHL San Jose Sharks affiliate) tussle on Tuesday night at Stockton Arena. The Thunder is searching for its first win in the season series * Fresno has won all six games in 2006-07 and took the last meeting in a 3-1 decision on February 3 at Save Mart Center. However, the Thunder is 13-9-2 since that date and is currently on a team-record six-game winning streak. Both teams enter the week in a deadlock for fifth place in the National Conference. Stephane Goulet, Mike Lalonde and Tim O'Connell lead active Thunder players with three points in the season series, while Fresno is led by Luke Curtin's 13 points (3g-10a).

vs. PHOENIX ROADRUNNERS (Fri., Mar. 30 * 7:30 p.m. and Sun. Apr. 1 * 4:00 p.m.)

The playoff race continues late into the week as the Thunder faces the Phoenix RoadRunners two times in a three-day span at Stockton Arena. The head-to-head matchup could carry serious playoff implications for both teams * the Thunder enters the week trailing the fourth-place Idaho Steelheads by three points in the National Conference for home-ice advantage, while Phoenix is hanging onto the eighth and final spot by only four points over Utah and Long Beach. All-star center Nathan Martz (1g-5a) leads the Thunder with six points in the season series, while Phoenix is led by Dave Pszenyczny and Alexandre Rouleau's three points (1g-2a) each. The Thunder leads the season series with a 3-0-1 record.

at BAKERSFIELD CONDORS (Sat., March 31 * 7:00 p.m.)

A possible playoff preview dots a Saturday road matchup between the Thunder and Bakersfield Condors at Rabobank Arena, the final head-to-head matchup between both teams this season. If the Kelly Cup Playoffs started Monday, the Thunder would face Bakersfield in the first round. The Thunder is 4-1-2 this season against the Condors and took the last meeting in a 4-1 road win on March 17. Mike Lalonde leads the Thunder with eight points (5g-3a) in the head-to-head series, while Brett Lutes (four assists) and Tyler Scott (1g-3a) lead Bakersfield with four points each.

Thunder games can be heard live on the Internet (free-of-charge) and are available for viewing at a $6 "pay-per-view" charge at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks. Thunder broadcaster Mike Benton will provide play-by-play commentary with the "Thunder Forecast" pre-game show beginning at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday, 7:15 p.m. on Friday, and 3:45 p.m. on Sunday.

In addition, Valley Brew Family Restaurant continues its first season as official host of the Thunder Watch Party (via B2 Networks' "Bar and Pub Network") for all road games, with prizes, broadcast-interactive contests, and more scheduled for all road games this week.

Located at 157 W. Adams Street in Stockton, Valley Brew Family Restaurant is placed in the heart of Stockton's "Miracle Mile" district and features an array of acclaimed burgers, beverages, appetizers, specialties and more, offering customers free wi-fi internet access inside the restaurant.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

FRIDAY, 3/30

THUNDER TRADING CARD NIGHT (presented by TNT Quik Connect, In-Shape Health Clubs and KHOP 95.1)

- The first 2,000 fans in attendance receive a set of five Thunder trading cards (#5 of 5)

GROUP APPRECIATION WEEKEND

- Came out to a game this season with a group? Present your used ticket stub and receive $5 admission to this game for upper-premium or lower end-zone seats. BE COOL ... READ! NIGHT (presented by Clearwire, Dreyer's and 99.3 KJOY)

- Students who earned honor roll status for a recent grading period will receive complimentary tickets for this game (participating schools).

SATURDAY 3/31 (at BAKERSFIELD)

THUNDER TICKET EXCHANGE NIGHT

- All Thunder season ticket holders receive free admission to Rabobank Arena for the Thunder vs. Bakersfield Condors game

SUNDAY, 4/1

FAMILY DAY (presented by Alpine Meats, Clearwire, and 99.3 KJOY)

- 4 tickets, 2 hot dogs and 2 pucks available for only $34

- Discount admission coupon available via Alpine Meats display, at area grocery stores and Clearwire retail locations

I AM HERE! DAY (presented by Zamora Automotive Group, Food-4-Less, and The Record)

- Students who earned honor roll status for a recent grading period will receive complimentary tickets for this game (participating schools).

GROUP APPRECIATION DAY

- $5.00 upper premium/lower end zone admission for all groups who previously attended a Thunder game!

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Colin Pepperall is 3 games shy of 500 in his ECHL career

o Jim Dahl is 2 points shy of 100 in his professional career

TEAM NOTES:

o ATTENDANCE UPDATE: Stockton leads the ECHL in attendance with an average of 6,697

fans and league *high total of 214,386 fans through 32 dates

o Stockton is 23-10-7 in games outside of the Pacific Division

o Stockton has averaged 4.3 goals per game in the last 10 games

o Defenseman Beau Geisler leads ECHL defensemen with 28 power-play assists

o Goaltender Devan Dubnyk is tied for 5th in the ECHL with a .918 save percentage

o Left wing Brock Radunske is on a nine-game scoring streak (9g-13a)

o Center Nathan Martz ranks fifth in the ECHL with 53 assists

o Center Colin Pepperall has scored at least a point in his first nine games with Stockton (6g-10a)

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW

Thursday, March 22 STOCKTON 6 - Utah 3

Forward Brock Radunske scored a career-high five points (2g-3a) to break a Thunder single-game record as Stockton cruised to a 6-3 win over the Utah Grizzlies at The E-Center. A four-goal second period effort by the Thunder guided the club to its seventh win in eight games, as goaltender Cam Ellsworth made 37 saves in net. Rookie Stephane Goulet extended his scoring streak to five consecutive games with a second period goal, while veteran Colin Pepperall netted a goal and assist to push his scoring streak to seven games.

Friday, March 23 STOCKTON 5 - Utah 1

Forward Brock Radunske scored a goal and assist while Thunder goaltender Devan Dubnyk made 33 saves, helping the Thunder cruise to a 5-1 victory over the Utah Grizzlies at The E-Center. Colin Pepperall netted a second period goal for his 400th point in his professional career, part of a three-goal run by the Thunder in the frame. Veteran defenseman Jason Beckett scored a goal and an assist, including a shorthanded tally in the second period.

Sunday, March 24 STOCKTON 7 - Utah 4

Brock Radunske finished off his 11-point week with two goals and two assists as the Thunder cruised to a 7-4 victory over the Utah Grizzlies at The E-Center on Saturday. The Thunder finished 6-1-0 in the season series over the Grizzlies, powered by a three-goal blast in a span of two minutes during the first period. Veteran Colin Pepperall scored the game's first goal, followed by Mathieu Melanson's marker and then Adam Huxley's first goal of the season. Veteran Tim Verbeek scored his 17th of the year in the first period, while Liam Reddox added an empty-netter late in the game.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

(courtesy of The Record)

"He's unbelievable. Every time he touches the puck, something good happens."

- Head Coach Chris Cichocki on forward Brock Radunske

"It's a nice honor, but the win is the most important thing and trying to get home ice. I said when I got here that I was optimistic because I saw a bunch of guys who were always going to play hard, and it's true. We've been playing really well."

- Veteran Colin Pepperall after scoring his 400th point in his pro career, part of a 5-1 Thunder win at Utah

"But it doesn't matter that you fell as long as you scored,"

- Head Coach Chris Cichocki to The Record reporter Scott Linesburgh, who participated in a hands-on hockey drill at Stockton Arena



ECHL Stories from March 26, 2007


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