One Millionth Fan Award Coming This Week

Published on November 30, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT: (all times PT)

vs. Bakersfield Condors (Friday, Saturday - 7:30 p.m.) - B2 Networks

The Thunder faces the Bakersfield Condors in the second and third meetings of the season between both teams at Stockton Arena. Both teams face each other 12 times for the 2009-10 season and in the last meeting, the Condors defeated the Thunder 3-2 at Rabobank Arena on Nov. 10. Stockton carries at lifetime record of 11-14-8 against Bakersfield. The Thunder are playing in Bakersfield for the first time since Dec. 26, 2008. Bakersfield has assumed control of first place in the Pacific Division with a 9-1-0 run in the last 10 games. Stockton, who has a 5-3-2 record against its opponents except for the Idaho Steelheads, is searching for its first victory at home since Oct. 24 (0-5-3 in last eight home games).

The Thunder needs 4,409 fans to reach 1,000,000 in club history attendance. The lucky fan will be selected as fans enter Stockton Arena. Upon selection, the one millionth fan to cross the turnstiles will be awarded an array of destination, ticket and all-access prizes that are unprecedented in Thunder history. The lucky fan will win four Thunder season tickets and enjoy a two-day, one-night stay for four and a special "Stay 'N Play" recreation package at the Yosemite Lodge in Yosemite National Park. The "Stay 'N Play" package includes one-day ski lift ticket, ski or snowboard rental, tubing lessons, ice skating and a Valley Floor Tour.

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.

PROMOTIONAL NEWS

Friday, Dec. 4 vs. Bakersfield Condors, 7:30 p.m.

PLAYER POSTER GIVEAWAY

- All fans in attendance will receive a winter themed Stockton Thunder poster!

Saturday, Dec. 5 vs. Bakersfield Condors, 7:30 p.m.

MOUSE PAD GIVEAWAY

- The first 1,000 fans (ages 13 and over) will receive a collectible Thunder mouse pad!

Tuesday, Dec. 29 vs. Bakersfield Condors, 4:00 p.m.

KNIT CAP GIVEAWAY (presented by 97.7/98.3 KWIN and Comcast)

- The first 1,000 fans (ages 13 and over) will receive a free Thunder knit cap!

SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS FOR STOCKTON ARENA FAN ATTIC

The Stockton Arena "Fan Attic," the official team store of the Thunder, will open its doors for select holiday hours for that perfect hockey gift fans are searching for. The Fan Attic will be open from Noon-5:00 p.m. for special holiday hours and stay open each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from Noon-5:00 p.m. until Dec. 23.

PREGAME, POSTGAME PARTIES FEATURING LIVE MUSIC

Back by popular demand, the Stockton Thunder is hosting pregame and postgame parties inside the new "Kings Room" of Stockton Arena, open before each home game and after each Friday and Saturday home game. Discount on drink specials are available, in addition to special live music that will entertain Thunder fans before and after the upcoming games (subject to change):

Friday, Dec. 4: Blue Diamond Band

Saturday, Dec. 5: Disturbing The Peace

2009-10 TEAM LEADERS:

Points - Judd Blackwater, Oren Eizenman (14)

Goals - Judd Blackwater (9)

Assists - Oren Eizenman (11)

Plus/Minus -Steve Vanoosten (+3)

Penalty Minutes - Garet Hunt (82)

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Mike Bayrack is 32 points away from 400 in his ECHL career

o Judd Blackwater is 12 games away from 100 in his professional career

o Kelly Czuy is 25 points away from 100 in his professional career

o Igor Gongalsky is 26 points away from 100 in his professional career

TEAM NOTES

- Judd Blackwater is tied for the ECHL lead with six power-play goals

- Bryan Pitton has a 2.69 GAA and.919 save percentage in his last three games

- J.F. Caudron picked up an assist in his Thunder debut on Wednesday

- Stockton needs 4,409 fans to reach 1,000,000 in club history attendance through four seasons-plus

- Stockton ranks second in ECHL attendance with an average of 5,995 fans (10 home games)

- Stockton leads the ECHL in road power-play at 33.3 percent (13-for-39)

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

(subject to change, all times PT)

TUE, DEC. 1:

10:00 a.m. - Practice at Stockton Arena

WED, DEC. 2:

10:00 a.m. - Practice at Stockton Arena

THURS, DEC. 3:

10:00 a.m. - Practice at Stockton Arena

FRI, DEC. 4:

10:00 a.m. - Morning skate at Stockton Arena

6:00 p.m. - Pre-game media access ends

7:30 p.m. - GAME VS. BAKERSFIELD

StocktonThunder.com

SAT, DEC. 5:

10:00 a.m. - Morning skate at Stockton Arena

6:00 p.m. - Pre-game media access ends

7:30 p.m. - GAME VS. BAKERSFIELDStocktonThunder.com

SUN. DEC. 6:

Day off

MON. DEC. 7:

10:00 a.m. - Practice at Stockton Arena

WEEK IN REVIEW

IDH 5 - STK 1 (11/28/09): Ashton Rome collected a hat trick and goaltender Richard Bachman made 27 saves to help the Idaho Steelheads sweep the Thunder in a three-game series for a 5-1 decision before 6,011 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday night. The Thunder, who despite carry a 5-3-2 record against its ECHL schedule sans Idaho (who have won nine in a row against the Thunder this year), received its only goal from Judd Blackwater in the first period. Evan Barlow and Mathieu Tousignant also scored for the Steelheads, who carry the league's best record at 16-3-1.

IDH 1 - STK 0 (11/27/09): Goaltender Rejean Beauchemin secured the fourth shutout of his pro career with 27 saves and outdueled counterpart Bryan Pitton, as the Idaho Steelheads edged the Thunder, 1-0 before 4,790 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday night. Idaho, who boasts the league's leading defense with 2.3 goals per game allowed, won their eighth straight over the Thunder in the season's head-to-head series on John Swanson's eventual game-winning goal just 1:10 into the final period. Pitton kept the Thunder in the game with 29 saves.

IDH 2 - STK 1 (11/25/09): Rejean Beauchemin made 23 saves and Mark Derlago broke a 1-1 tie with a go-ahead goal with 12:29 left in regulation to help the Idaho Steelheads sneak by the Thunder, 2-1 before 4,592 fans at Stockton Arena on Wednesday night. The Thunder, who are unbeaten in regulation in seven of ten games (5-3-2) in its ECHL schedule except for a 0-6-1 clip this season against Idaho, received help from goaltender Bryan Pitton who made 26 saves in net despite taking the loss. Igor Gongalsky scored his first goal of the year and Evan Barlow tied the game in the third period just minutes before Derlago's go-head goal.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

(courtesy of The Record)

"I just want to come in here and help us win, and I'm prepared to do whatever I have to do to accomplish that," Caudron said. "I just want to do well."

- Right winger J.F. Caudron after signing with the Thunder as a free agent on Nov. 23, The Record, 11/25/09

"It's great, but I did have a few words with them to make sure that they knew I was signing teammates, not brothers," Thomas said. "I didn't want anyone to get upset if I didn't play one of them. But they are professionals, and it's been great."

- Head coach Matt Thomas after signing forward Jason Pitton - securing his spot on the roster with brother and Thunder goaltender, Bryan Pitton, The Record, 11/27/09

THUNDER 2009-10 REGULAR SEASON STATISTICS

The proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League and Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League, the Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season tickets for 2009-10 are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit http://www.stocktonthunder.com/.

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ECHL Stories from November 30, 2009


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