On The Road Again

February 20, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS: (all times PT)

at FRESNO FALCONS (Friday - 7:30 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN, B2 Networks

The Thunder and Fresno Falcons square-off in the seventh matchup out of 10 this season and the second of a back-to-back series from Save Mart Center. The Thunder is 2-4-0 this season against Fresno and will be looking for its first win in club history in Fresno, carrying a 0-10-1 lifetime record at Save Mart Center. Goaltender Tim Boron has highlighted the Thunder efforts in net with a 2.35 goals against average and .931 save percentage in three games against Fresno.

at BAKERSFIELD CONDORS (Saturday - 7:00 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN (joined in progress), B2 Networks

The Thunder and Bakersfield Condors tussle in a Saturday night matchup at Rabobank Arena, the eighth of nine meetings between both clubs this season. The Thunder will play the final two games of the head-to-head matchup in Bakersfield and carries a 3-3-1 record against the Condors this year and is 9-7-7 in the lifetime matchup. Saturday's game will be the final road game for the Thunder until March 4, playing the next four games at home after Saturday's contest.

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, February 13 (Las Vegas 3 - Stockton 0)

Kevin Lalande made 25 saves for his third shutout of the season as the visiting Las Vegas Wranglers handed the Thunder its fourth consecutive defeat in a 3-0 loss before a crowd of 4,348 at the Stockton Arena on Wednesday. Las Vegas was led by right wing Adam Cracknell (1g-1a), who had two points and the game-winning goal. Thunder goaltender Glenn Fisher made 36 saves in the losing cause.

Saturday, February 16 - (Alaska 5 - Stockton 3)

Brett Hemingway's goal with 2:26 left in regulation broke a 3-3 tie and helped the Alaska Aces rally for four goals in the third period, sending the Thunder to a 5-3 loss before a sellout crowd of 9,737 at Stockton Arena on Saturday night. The Thunder built a 3-1 lead through two periods on goals by David Rohlfs, Brandon Schwartz and Pat Bateman. Both Rohlfs (1g-2a) and Schwartz (1g-2a) had separate three-point games to lead the Thunder offensively.

Sunday, February 17 - (Alaska 3 - Stockton 1)

Goaltender Marek Schwarz made 39 saves and stopped the final 33 shots faced in the last two periods as the Alaska Aces sent the Thunder to a 3-1 defeat before a crowd of 5,879 at Stockton Arena on Sunday. The Thunder got its only source of offense on a goal by Brian Lee in the first period, garnered just two chances on the power-play and was held without a goal on both chances. Thunder goaltender Glenn Fisher made 28 stops in net despite taking the loss. .

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

THURSDAY, 2/28 vs. Cincinnati Cyclones

- Be Cool, Read! (presented by 99.3 KJOY and Dreyer's Ice Cream)

Students who achieved reading goals within participating Stockton-area schools are rewarded with complimentary tickets to Wednesday's game.

FRIDAY, 2/29 vs. Utah Grizzlies

- Never A Wasted Ticket Night

Season ticket holders can redeem old tickets for a ticket of the same or lesser value for this game (subject to availability)

SATURDAY, 3/1 vs. Cincinnati Cyclones

- Thunder Cap Night (presented by Jackson Rancheria, 104.1 The Hawk and Comcast)

The first 2,000 fans (ages 13 and over) receive a free Thunder cap!

- Be Cool, Read! (presented by 99.3 KJOY and Dreyer's Ice Cream)

Students who achieved reading goals within participating non-Stockton-area schools are rewarded with complimentary tickets to Wednesday's game.

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Jason Beeman is 26 games away from 100 in his ECHL career

o Brian Lee is 16 games away from 200 in his professional career

o Brandon Schwartz is 14 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

o Tim Verbeek is 1 goal away from 100 in his professional career

o Tim Verbeek is 21 games away from 400 in his professional career

TEAM NOTES:

o Goaltender Glenn Fisher has a .920 save percentage in the month of February

o Rookie goaltender Tim Boron is tied for second in the ECHL with three shutouts

o Stockton leads the ECHL in attendance with 169,767 fans (6,529 average)

o Stockton is 18-12-1 when scoring first

o Stockton is 12-3-0 when leading after 2 periods

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

(courtesy of The Record)

"We're happy that we had an opportunity to help these three wonderful organizations."

- Thunder fan Doreen Bestolarides, who helped raise $7,050 for three charities through ticket sales at the ECHL All-Star Game

"We had interpreters to help. Sometimes we would write the plays on a board, and have a player pronounce it. We came up with a numbers system we assigned each play."

- Thunder radio color commentator Derek Eisler on his experience as a head coach (September-January) for the Asian League's China Sharks - some players spoke Chinese only.

"I think they realize that there is a high premium on them playing well. They understand that our reality right now is that our best chance is to play hard and try to win low-scoring games. They have both handled it quite well."

- Thunder Head Coach Chris Cichocki on the recent performance of goaltenders Tim Boron and Glenn Fisher



ECHL Stories from February 20, 2008


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