On The Road Again

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


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS: (all times PT)

at BAKERSFIELD CONDORS (Wednesday - 7:00 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN, B2 Networks

The Thunder starts a six-game road trip, the second longest of the 2008-09 season, on Wednesday against the Bakersfield Condors from Rabobank Arena. The trek begins a stretch of four games in five nights for the Thunder and it is the first of nine games against the Condors for the 2008-09 season. Stockton carries at lifetime record of 10-8-7 against Bakersfield and went 4-4-1 in the season series last year. Mike Lalonde has scored 13 points (7g-6a) in 13 games (all-time) against Bakersfield.

at VICTORIA SALMON KINGS (Friday and Saturday* - 7:05 p.m., Sunday - 1:05 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN, B2 Networks

The Thunder continue a six-game road trip with three games in three consecutive days against the Victoria Salmon Kings, the first of 10 meetings between both clubs for the season (tied for most with Fresno). The Thunder is 7-10-3 lifetime against the Salmon Kings and went 1-5-1 against the Salmon Kings last season. Stockton is looking to snap a six-game losing streak at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre and last won in Victoria on Nov. 17, 2006 (6-3 win).

* Denotes internet-only broadcast (www.StocktonThunder.com) Saturday

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 $7 "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 the official host of the Thunder Watch Party (via B2 Networks' "Bar and Pub Network") for all road games, featuring prizes and interactive broadcast 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.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Friday and Saturday, November 7-8 vs. Victoria Salmon Kings, 7:30 p.m.

THUNDER GOES PINK III (presented by St. Joseph's Medical Center)

- The Thunder will wear pink jerseys (to be auctioned off, live, after the Nov. 8 game, with proceeds to benefit the American Cancer Society - Stockton Field Office and St. Joseph's Foundation - Breast Cancer Services), the first 2,000 female fans in attendance will receive a pink Thunder visor, first 2,000 kids (12 and under) in attendance will receive pink glow sticks. Additionally, pink cheer cards will be distributed and each family.

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Marc-Andre Bernier is 18 games away from 200 in his professional career

o Milan Maslonka is three games away from 100 in his professional career

o Cory Urquhart is one assist away from 100 in his professional career and five games away from 200 in his ECHL career

o Nathan Saunders is 10 games away from 100 in his ECHL career

TEAM NOTES:

o Mike Lalonde scored a goal in his first game at Stockton Arena since 2006-07 and is the Thunder career leader with 52 goals

o Rookie defenseman Robbie Bina scored a goal in his professional debut

o Justin Chwedoruk played in his 200th professional game on Oct. 18 vs. Fresno

o Stockton drew 8,747 in its home opener on Oct. 18 vs. Fresno and leads the ECHL in attenance as of Oct. 20

o Stockton is tied for fourth in the ECHL for power-play percentage (33.3 percent)

WEEK IN REVIEW

Saturday, October 18: FRESNO 3 at THUNDER 2

The Fresno Falcons scored three goals in a span of 2:42 in a second period rally, sending the Thunder to a 3-2 loss in the 2008-09 ECHL season opener before a crowd of 8,723 (largest weekend crowd in ECHL) at Stockton Arena on Saturday. In his return to Stockton Arena after playing the 2007-08 season in Europe, Mike Lalonde scored the first Thunder goal of the season and rookie defenseman Robbie Bina added the first goal of his professional career, as the Thunder went 2-for-6 on the power-play. Mike Radja, in his pro debut, netted two points (1g-1a) for Fresno and scored the eventual game-winning goal with 29 seconds left in the third period.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

(courtesy of The Record)

"We have to look at the good things we did and keep building on those as a team, but at the same time, you have to look at the errors," said Lalonde, a four-year veteran. "You can say it's inexperience, but I know I made mistakes that I usually don't make, and I have to work on them."

- Mike Lalonde on the Thunder's 3-2 loss to Fresno on Oct. 18, The Record, 10/19/08

"It's very exciting, because it's been like a month and a half of training camp and now we get to play," Pitton said. "A lot of us know each other from the other (Edmonton) camps, and this is a very good group."

- Goaltender Bryan Pitton on the Thunder roster, The Record, 10/18/08

"I think there's a good balance here," Kinley said. "It's a long year, but we've got the talent on the ice and, in the dressing room, it's a good bunch of guys."

- Defenseman Cleve Kinley on the Thunder roster, The Record,10/18/08

The proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, the Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for three consecutive seasons and drew 239,337 fans to Stockton Arena in 2007-08. Season, group, individual tickets and mini plan packages are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.StocktonThunder.com.



ECHL Stories from October 20, 2008


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