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Homestand Ahead Before All-Star Break

January 14, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS: (all times PT)

vs. FRESNO FALCONS (Wednesday - 7:00 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN, B2 Networks

The Thunder begins a four-game homestand on Wednesday against the Fresno Falcons, featuring a matchup between two teams on a hot streak: the Thunder is 6-3-0 in its last nine games while Fresno is on a six-game winning streak. Both teams have a 1-1-0 record in two games this year for the season series and the Thunder is 3-1-0 in the last four games of the all-time series at Stockton Arena. A Thunder victory gives Head Coach Chris Cichocki the 200th win in his coaching career.

vs. LAS VEGAS WRANGLERS (Saturday - 8:15, Sunday - 4:00*) - *1420 KSTN, B2 Networks

The Thunder faces the National Conference-leading Las Vegas Wranglers for a back-to-back series at Stockton Arena, the final two games before the All-Star break. The Thunder is looking to improve on a 1-4-0 record this season against Las Vegas, who leads the ECHL's National Conference with a 23-6-7 record (53 points) heading into the week. All-star defenseman and Thunder captain Brad Farynuk leads the team in scoring for the season series with 3 points (1g-2a) in 4 games.

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 $6 "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.

In addition, Valley Brew Family Restaurant is in its second season as official host of the Thunder Watch Party (via B2 Networks' "Bar and Pub Network") for all road games, featuring prizes and broadcast-interactive contests for all fans in attendance.

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.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Wednesday, January 9 (Stockton 5 - Alaska 4, OT)

Rookie David Rohlfs scored 40 seconds into sudden-death overtime to complete a two-goal comeback and help lift the Thunder to a dramatic 5-4 comeback victory in overtime against the host Alaska Aces before 3,632 at Sullivan Arena on Wednesday night. The Thunder battled back from two separate two-goal deficits and was led in scoring by former Ace right wing Ryan MacMurchy, who tied a career-high four point (1g-3a) effort in his first game back at Sullivan Arena in a visiting uniform since being acquired by the Thunder in an October trade with the Elmira Jackals.

Friday, January 11 (Stockton 4 - Alaska 3, OT)

Ryan MacMurchy scored two goals, including the game-winner 59 seconds into sudden-death overtime to help boost the Thunder to its sixth win in eight games and a 4-3 overtime victory over the host Alaska Aces before 4,314 at Sullivan Arena on Friday night. David Rohlfs scored the second multi-goal game of his career while goaltender Glenn Fisher made 20 saves in his fifth consecutive start to earn his ninth win of the season.

Saturday, January 12 (Alaska 4 - Stockton 2)

Alaska Aces forward Josh Soares scored four points which tied a career-high, helping send the Thunder to a 4-2 loss to Alaska before 4,892 at Sullivan Arena on Saturday night. Andy Contois and Brandon Schwartz both scored for the Thunder while goaltender Glenn Fisher stopped 27 shots, making his sixth consecutive start and his third in four days.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

SATURDAY, 1/19 vs. Las Vegas

- Teddy Bear Toss Night (presented by News10, Jackson Rancheria Water Service Company & KAT Country 103)

All fans in attendance are invited to bring a teddy bear or other stuffed animal and throw it onto the ice when the Thunder score its first goal of the game! All stuffed animals will be donated to the United Way of San Joaquin County

SUNDAY, 1/20 vs. Las Vegas

- Family Day (presented by Alpine Meats & 99.3 KJOY)

$34 family upper premium / end zone admission (four tickets, two hot dogs, two hockey pucks) with discount admission coupon available via Alpine Meats display at area grocery stores

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Chris Cichocki is 1 win shy of 200 in his ECHL coaching career

o Spencer Carbery is 9 games away from 100 in his professional career

o Andy Contois is 21 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

o Adam Huxley is 6 games away from 200 in his professional and ECHL career

o Brad Farynuk is 7 games shy of 100 in his professional career

TEAM NOTES:

o Ryan MacMurchy is on an eight-game point-scoring streak and has scored nine goals in his last seven games

o Center Brandon Schwartz has scored six points (2g-4a) in his last four games

o Left wing Andy Contois has seven points (3g-4a) in his last four games

o Stockton leads the ECHL in attendance with 99,513 fans (6,634 average)

o The Thunder has three selections to the National Conference roster for the 2008 Chase Chevrolet ECHL All-Star Game: Center Ryan O'Marra, left wing Jacob Micflikier and defenseman Brad Farynuk

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

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

(courtesy of The Record)

"It's going well, and if I was going to predict, I'd say we should have between 7,000 and 8,000 for the game. We'd be happy with around 5,000 for the skills competition, which is always a little lower."

- President Dan Chapman on preparations for the ECHL All-Star Game and Skills Competition

"It was a huge win, because it looked as though they might run us out of the barn. But we just didn't give up and played desperate hockey."

- Thunder right wing Ryan MacMurchy after the Thunder 5-4 win in overtime against the Alaska Aces at Sullivan Arena last Wednesday "Ryan took the puck hard to the net, and he has such a quick release. These were two great games."

- Cichocki on Ryan MacMurchy's game-winning goal on Friday (4-3 Thunder OT win at Alaska)

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ECHL Stories from January 14, 2008


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