Home-Ice Battle Heats Up In Final Week

Published on April 3, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS: (all times PT)

vs. FRESNO FALCONS (Wednesday * April 4, 7:00 p.m.)

The culmination of the Thunder's second consecutive ECHL attendance title will be celebrated at the regular season home finale against the Fresno Falcons on Wednesday. The Thunder knows its first round playoff opponent * the Idaho Steelheads * but a neck-and-neck race for home-ice advantage in the first round is at stake. The Thunder is 1-6-0 this season against Fresno, has won a team-record 10 consecutive games, and winning its final three games of the year would put the team at the 40-win mark. Rookie Stephane Goulet (1g-3a) and defenseman Tim O'Connell (four assists) lead the Thunder with four points in the series, while Fresno is led by veteran Luke Curtin's 13 points (3g-10a).

at LAS VEGAS WRANGLERS (Friday * April 6, Saturday * April 7, both 7:05 p.m.)

There's plenty at stake for both the Thunder and Las Vegas Wranglers in the final two regular season games of 2006-07, as the Thunder continues its battle for home-ice advantage in the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Las Vegas Wranglers, winners of nine consecutive games heading into the week, are in a tight race with the Alaska Aces for the National Conference's first seed, home-ice advantage for the entire playoffs, and the Brabham Cup title for the ECHL's best regular season record. The Thunder is 1-2-1 in the season series against Las Vegas, led in scoring among active players by Brendon Hodge's four points (1g-3a). Las Vegas is led by Chris Neiszner's five points (3g-2a).

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. on Wednesday, and 6:50 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

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 PROMOTION

WEDNESDAY, 4/4

FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT (presented by St. Joseph's Medical Center and KB Home)

- Special giveaways at the final regular season home game as Thunder fans are saluted for their loyalty with their second straight ECHL attendance title, followed by a postgame team awards ceremony at center ice!

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Jim Dahl is 1 point shy of 100 in his professional career

TEAM NOTES:

o ATTENDANCE UPDATE: Stockton leads the ECHL in attendance with an average of 6,785 fans and league *high total of 237,489 fans through 35 dates

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

o Stockton has won 10 consecutive games and five consecutive road games, setting team records in both categories

o Goaltender Devan Dubnyk is 3rd in the ECHL with a .921 save percentage

o Stockton has averaged 4.2 goals per game in the last 14 games

o Left wing Brock Radunske is on a 13-game scoring streak (12g-18a)

o Center Nathan Martz ranks fifth in the ECHL with 55 assists

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW

Tuesday, March 27 STOCKTON 5 - Fresno 2

Brock Radunske led a four unanswered goal-scoring rally with two on the individual side, while Devan Dubnyk made 33 saves in a 5-2 Thunder win over Fresno at Stockton Arena on Tuesday. Nathan Martz began the scoring just 9:20 into the game, followed by additional goals from Brian Lee, and Tim Verbeek. The Thunder garnered its first win in seven tries vs. Fresno this season.

Friday, March 30 STOCKTON 4 - Phoenix 0

All-star goaltender Devan Dubnyk stopped 27 shots to earn his second career shutout, guiding the Thunder to a 4-0 victory over the Phoenix RoadRunners at Stockton Arena. Defenseman Jason Beckett notched a career-high three points (1g-2a) to lead the offense, including a power-play goal in the second period. Special teams kept Phoenix at bay, as the RoadRunners went 0-for-8 on the power-play.

Saturday, March 31 STOCKTON 4 - Bakersfield 3 (SO)

Goaltender Cam Ellsworth made 43 saves while center Nathan Martz scored the game's deciding goal in the eighth round of a shootout to help guide the Thunder to a 4-3 comeback shootout victory over the Bakersfield Condors at Rabobank Arena. The Thunder won its ninth game in a row and began its rally with Brian Lee's third period power-play goal, which followed a goal by Jim Dahl and Stephane Goulet, who opened the game's scoring just 4:30 in.

Sunday, April 1 STOCKTON 4 - Phoenix 1

The Thunder extended its team-record winning streak to 10 consecutive games on the strength of Brock Radunske's four points (1g-3a), while Colin Pepperall had two goals and an assist in his 500th career ECHL game as the Thunder cruised to a 4-1 win over the Phoenix RoadRunners before more than 9,500 fans at Stockton Arena on Sunday. Veteran Tim Verbeek added a first period goal while goaltender Devan Dubnyk made 33 saves for his eighth consecutive victory.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

(courtesy of The Record)

"I know I'm a smaller guy, but I do want to be aggressive and I'll get in there and battle other players. I'll make a pest of myself."

- Left wing Liam Reddox explaining his style of play in the midst of a seven-game scoring streak

"I think everyone in the locker room knew this was an important game."

- Head Coach Chris Cichocki after a 5-2 win against the Fresno Falcons, the first victory of the season against Fresno

"What an atmosphere. You just really want to win in front of a crowd like that, and we've really been putting it together."

- Center Brendon Hodge after a 4-1 win at home against the Phoenix RoadRunners on Sunday, witnessed by a crowd of 9,567

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ECHL Stories from April 3, 2007


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