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Irwin Named ECHL Player of the Week, Moreland Honored

March 14, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Stockton Thunder right wing Joel Irwin has been named In Glas Co ECHL Player of the Week and goaltender Jake Moreland has been named runner-up for Reebok Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week honors for the week of March 6-12, the ECHL announced today.

Irwin, 31, tallies the Thunder's first ECHL Player of the Week honor in franchise history, helping guide Stockton to a 3-1-0 record last week with wins over Phoenix, Long Beach and Bakersfield, including the Thunder's first three-game winning streak in club history. Irwin tallied nine points (3g-6a) in four games during the week, including three points apiece in the final three games.

A native of Kamloops, British Columbia, Irwin posted two goals and an assist in a 7-1 Thunder win over the Phoenix RoadRunners on March 8, helping set team franchise records for most goals in a game and largest margin of victory. He continued his stretch with a goal and two assists in a 5-4 Thunder shootout win at Long Beach on March 10, aiding Stockton in a three-goal comeback.

Irwin, who has also previously spent five ECHL seasons between the Richmond Renegades, Greensboro Generals and Pee Dee Pride, followed by posting three assists the next night in a 5-1 Stockton victory at Bakersfield.

Moreland, who previously spent two seasons with the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (2003-05) and made his first ECHL All-Star Game appearance this season, was in net for two of three Thunder victories last week, excluding a 2-1 loss to the RoadRunners on March 7 where the Stockton netminder posted 40 saves. Moreland, 27, returned the next night with 30 saves in Stockton's 7-1 win over Phoenix, and wrapped up his week with 42 saves in the Thunder's 5-1 win at Bakersfield on March 11, stopping 14 shots each period.

For the week, Moreland, who has previously garnered ECHL Goaltender of the Week honors in 2005-06, posted a .965 save percentage and a 1.34 goals against average.

The Thunder returns to play tonight with a 6:10 p.m. PT face-off against the Idaho Steelheads at Qwest Arena. The game can be heard live on the internet (free-of-charge) and is available for viewing at a $6 "pay-per-view" rate at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B-2 Networks.

Thunder season tickets, individual tickets, and mini packages are on-sale now. Individual tickets can be purchased in person at Stockton Arena's Ticket Office, online at www.stocktontickets.com, or by phone at (209) 373-1700. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.stocktonthunder.com.



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