New Year, Same Rivals

January 3, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT: (all times PT)

at Bakersfield Condors

Friday and Saturday, Jan. 6-7 (7:00 p.m.)

Radio: 1280 AM KWSX/ StocktonThunder.com*

The Stockton Thunder visits the Bakersfield Condors for the sixth and seventh of 13 meetings on Friday and Saturday, starting a five game road trip at Rabobank Arena. The Thunder last faced Bakersfield on Dec. 26 and was defeated by the Condors, 3-2, at Rabobank Arena. The Thunder is 3-2-0 against Bakersfield and is 2-1-0 at Rabobank Arena this season. Stockton currently sits at seventh place in the Western Conference, 11 points ahead of Bakersfield.

1280 AM KWSX 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 "pay-per-view" charge at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of AmericaOne. Radio broadcaster Mike Benton provides play-by-play commentary with the "Thunder Forecast" pre-game show starting 15 minutes before each broadcast.

*Denotes online only for Saturday's broadcast

The team's upcoming schedule for this week is as follows :

(subject to change, all times PT)

Wednesday, JAN. 4

10:00 a.m. - Practice at Oak Park Ice Arena

Thursday, JAN. 5

10:00 a.m. - Practice at Oak Park Ice Arena

Friday, JAN. 6

11:15 a.m. - Morning skate at Rabobank Arena

7:00 p.m. - GAME at BAKERSFIELD

1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com

Saturday, JAN. 7

11:15 a.m. - Morning skate at Rabobank Arena

7:00 p.m. - GAME at BAKERSFIELD

StocktonThunder.com

Sunday, JAN. 8

Day off

Monday, JAN. 9

10:00 a.m. - Practice at Oak Park Ice Arena

PROMOTIONAL NEWS

Friday, Jan. 20 vs. Las Vegas Wranglers, 7:30 p.m.

OLIVIER ROY BOBBLEHEAD GIVEAWAY (presented by MetroPCS and 97.7/98.3 KWIN)

- The first 1,500 fans (ages 18 and over) in attendance receive a limited edition, collectible Olivier Roy bobblehead!

Saturday, Jan. 21 vs. Las Vegas Wranglers, 7:30 p.m.

TEDDY BEAR TOSS (presented by Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel, News10 and KAT Country 103)

- All fans are encouraged to bring a new or gently used stuffed animal and throw it onto the ice when the Thunder score their first goal! All teddy bears will be collected and donated to local youth charities.

Sunday, Jan. 22 vs. Las Vegas Wranglers, 4:00 p.m.

FAMILY DAY (presented by Sutter Gould Medical Foundation)

- Fans can pick up four tickets, hot dogs and soft drinks for the game, for just $34. Buy online at StocktonThunder.com, select "Thunder Pride Pack" and receive a free Thunder hat!

WEEK IN REVIEW:

STK 4 - ONT 3 (SO) (12/31/11): Goaltender Olivier Roy made 26 saves and stopped all five shootout attempts to help lift the Stockton Thunder (13-13-4, 30 points) to a 4-3 shootout victory over the Ontario Reign before a crowd of 6,044 on Saturday night at Stockton Arena. The Thunder, who hosted a special New Year's Eve event to close out the calendar year, was aided offensively with two goals by Kevin Baker and Milan Kytnar's third period goal. Roy, who earned his first career win at Stockton Arena, stopped Kevin Estrada with a blocker save in the fifth round. The Thunder snapped a six game winless skid (0-5-1) and finished the 2011 year with a combined record of 38-26-10.

ONT 4 - STK 3 (SO) (12/30/11): Chris Carrozzi made 36 saves while Chris Huxley and Kevin Estrada rescued the Ontario Reign with back to back shootout goals, enough to send the Stockton Thunder (12-13-4, 28 points) to a 4-3 shootout defeat before a crowd of 6,096 at Stockton Arena on Friday. The Thunder settled for a point to snap a five game losing streak in regulation and posted three unanswered goals by Cameron Abney, Jesse Fratkin and Milan Kytnar. Goaltender Olivier Roy received a shootout loss with 38 saves.

LV 5 - STK 2 (12/27/11): Mitch O'Keefe made 31 saves while Michael Busto chipped in with two assists from the blueline, to help the Las Vegas Wranglers send the Stockton Thunder (12-13-3, 27 points) to a 5-2 defeat in the Wranglers' annual "Midnight Game," before 4,622 fans at Orleans Arena on late Tuesday night. The Thunder built a 2-1 lead in the first period on goals from Matt Foy and Ryan Martindale. Thunder goaltender Olivier Roy took the loss with 27 stops.

BAK 3 - STK 2 (12/26/11): Peter Boyd scored with 2:49 left in regulation to snap a 2-2 tie and lift the Bakersfield Condors to a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the Stockton Thunder (12-12-3, 27 points) before 4,195 fans at Rabobank Arena on Monday. The Thunder dropped their fourth straight loss and squandered a 2-1 lead that was built on back to back goals from Nathan Deck and Ian O'Connor. Matt Keetley picked up the win in net for Bakersfield with 28 stops.

2011-12 TEAM LEADERS:

Points - Kevin Baker (25)

Goals - Kevin Baker (15)

Assists - Matt Foy (14)

Plus/Minus - Milan Kytnar (+4)

Penalty Minutes - Garet Hunt (129)

UPCOMING MILESTONES

- Matt Thomas is 16 wins away from 300 in his professional coaching career

- Kevin Baker is 23 goals away from 200 in his professional career

- Matt Foy is 20 points away from 200 in his professional career

- Jordan Fulton is 2 games away from 100 in his professional career

- Milan Kytnar is 3 games away from 100 in his professional career

TEAM NOTES

- Kevin Baker has points in 8 of his last 10 games, scoring 13 points (8g-5a)

- Matt Foy has 12 points (4g-8a) in his last 11 games

- Olivier Roy earned his first career home win last Saturday vs. Ontario with 26 saves (4-3 shootout win)

- Stockton is second in ECHL attendance with an average of 5,766 fans per game (14 games)

- Stockton ranks seventh with 32 shots per game

- Stockton is 4-1-2 in one-goal games on the road

The Thunder Season Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (209) 373-1500 or by visiting www.stocktonthunder.com. Thunder Season Ticket Holders enjoy the highest-demanded seating locations in Stockton Arena, benefits including admission to Season Ticket Holder-only events, discount opportunities on Thunder merchandise, a free e-newsletter, an exclusive gift, admission to the first two rounds of the Kelly Cup Playoffs and more.

For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit http://www.stocktonthunder.com/.



ECHL Stories from January 3, 2012


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