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Matchups Set With Playoff-Paced Idaho and Bakersfield

March 12, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS: (all times PT)

vs. IDAHO STEELHEADS (Wed. - 7:00 p.m., Fri. - 7:30 and Sun. - 4:00 p.m.)

The Thunder continues its march to the playoffs and eight-game homestand with a Wednesday matchup against the Idaho Steelheads, beginning a stretch of three games in five days against Idaho. The Thunder is 5-1-1 this season against Idaho and 5-6-1 in the all-time series. Defenseman Beau Geisler leads active Thunder players with seven points (3g-4a) in the season series, while Idaho's leading scorer Marty Flichel has nine points (4g-5a) to lead Idaho. All-star goaltender Devan Dubnyk is 3-1-1 vs. Idaho this season with one shutout and a .911 save percentage.

at BAKERSFIELD CONDORS (Saturday - 7:00 p.m.)

Pacific division rivals renew acquaintances as the Thunder heads to Rabobank Arena with a Saturday night faceoff against the Bakersfield Condors. The Thunder is 3-1-2 this season against Bakersfield, with the Thunder taking the last matchup in a 2-1 win at Stockton Arena on February 21. Left wing Mike Lalonde leads the Thunder in series scoring with eight points (5g-3a), while Tyler Scott (1g-3a) and Brett Lutes (four assists) lead the Condors. Bakersfield has already clinched a Kelly Cup playoff berth and is tied for first in the Pacific Division entering this week.

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, 7:15 p.m. on Friday, 6:45 p.m. on Saturday and 3:45 on Sunday.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

WEDNESDAY, 3/14

BE A WINNER NIGHT! (presented by Bank of Agriculture and Commerce)

- Students who achieved individual goals as established by their teacher are rewarded with complimentary tickets to this game (participating schools).

FRIDAY, 3/16

ST. PATRICK'S DAY POSTER NIGHT (presented by 104.1 The Hawk & Comcast)

- All kids in attendance (ages 12 and under) receive a Thunder "St. Patrick's Day" themed player poster

BE A WINNER NIGHT! (presented by Bank of Agriculture and Commerce)

- Students who achieved individual goals as established by their teacher are rewarded with complimentary tickets to this game (participating schools).

SUNDAY, 3/18

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

ACADEMIC ALL-STARS DAY (presented by California Welding and Supply, & Guaranty Bank)

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

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Colin Pepperall is 7 points shy of 400 in his professional career and 10 games shy of 500 in his ECHL career

o Jim Dahl is 6 points shy of 100 in his professional career

o Brock Radunske is 4 points shy of 100 in his professional career

TEAM NOTES:

o ATTENDANCE UPDATE: Stockton leads the ECHL in attendance with an average of 6,783

fans and league -high total of 196,716 fans through 29 dates

o Stockton is third in the ECHL with 35.4 shots per game

o Right wing Mathieu Melanson is on a five-game goal-scoring streak

o Center Nathan Martz is tied for 5th in the ECHL with 47 assists

o Center Colin Pepperall scored his 150th career professional goal in his debut with the Thunder last Friday and surpassed the 1,000 career penalty minute-mark last Saturday

o Goaltender Cam Ellsworth ranks ninth in the ECHL with a 2.57 goals-against-average

o Stockton is 18-9-7 in games outside of the Pacific Division

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW

Wednesday, March 7

STOCKTON 2 - Victoria 1 (OT)

Rookie Mathieu Melanson scored two goals, including the game winner to help the Thunder rally for a 2-1 overtime victory against the Victoria Salmon Kings at Stockton Arena on Wednesday. Melanson tied the game just 1:18 into the third period on a feed from Tim Sestito, and then scored on a breakaway just 1:02 into the overtime period. Goaltender Cam Ellsworth backstopped the Thunder with 33 saves, including 13 in the third period. Sestito aided the Thunder offense with two assists in the victory.

Friday, March 9

STOCKTON 5 - Victoria 4 (SO)

Veteran center Colin Pepperall scored a goal and two assists in his Thunder debut while left wing Brock Radunske scored a career-high four points (1g-3a) as the Thunder outlasted the Victoria Salmon Kings in a thrilling 5-4 shootout win at Stockton Arena. Veteran forward Tim Verbeek netted the eventual shootout winner in the second round, while all-star goaltender Devan Dubnyk blanked Victoria on all five shooters and stoned forward Wes Goldie on a third period penalty shot.

Saturday, March 10

STOCKTON 4 - Victoria 3 (SO)

A crowd of 8,536 witnessed a two-goal third period comeback by the Thunder, who outlasted the Victoria Salmon Kings in a 4-3 shootout victory. Forwards Mathieu Melanson and Brock Radunske registered a goal and assist each, while Radunske and veteran Tim Verbeek scored a goal each in the shootout. All-star goaltender Devan Dubnyk made 21 saves and blanked Victoria in all four rounds of the shootout for the victory.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

(courtesy of The Record)

"Hey shootouts are fun. We would have liked to have won in regulation, but you have to get the two points any way you can."

- All-star goaltender Devan Dubnyk after stopping all nine shooters combined in two wins last week vs. Victoria

"I was trying to ease into it, and it was a good day. It helped to play with these guys. This is a great bunch of guys, and this was a good win for us."

- Center Colin Pepperall after scoring a goal and two assists in his debut with the Thunder on Friday

"We're beginning to play playoff hockey."

- Three-time all-star head coach Chris Cichocki after last Saturday's 4-3 shootout win vs. Victoria

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ECHL Stories from March 12, 2007


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