Quest For The Cup Begins In Boise

Published on April 10, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


KELLY CUP PLAYOFFS, ROUND 1: (all times PT)

vs. IDAHO STEELHEADS (National Conference Quarterfinals * best of 7)

The Stockton Thunder embarks on its first quest for the Kelly Cup in team history with a best-of-seven series against the Idaho Steelheads in the National Conference quarterfinal round. The Thunder finished 7-2-1 this year against Idaho, winning the final two games of the season series. Idaho won the Kelly Cup in 2004, its first season in the ECHL, and lost in six games last season to the Las Vegas Wranglers in the first round. The Thunder was led in series scoring this season by Mike Lalonde (4g-5a), Tim O'Connell (4g-5a) and Beau Geisler (3g-6a), each recording nine points. Idaho was led by Marty Flichel (5g-6a) and Derek Nesbitt (3g-8a), who each recorded 11 points.

#4 Idaho vs. #5 Stockton: (all times PT)

Game 1: at Idaho - April 10, 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena)

Game 2: at Idaho - April 11, 6:10 p.m. (Qwest Arena)

Game 3: at Stockton - April 13, 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 4: at Stockton - April 15, 4:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 5: at Stockton - April 16, 7:00 p.m. * (Stockton Arena)

Game 6: at Idaho - April 18, 6:10 p.m. * (Qwest Arena)

Game 7: at Idaho - April 19, 6:10 p.m. * (Qwest Arena)

* If necessary

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 15 minutes prior to each game.

In addition, Valley Brew Family Restaurant continues its first season as official host of the Thunder Watch Party (via B2 Networks' "Bar and Pub Network") for all road games, with prizes, broadcast-interactive contests, and more scheduled for all road games this week.

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.

CALLING ALL FANS: WEAR GOLD!

"SEA OF GOLD" * ALL THUNDER HOME PLAYOFF GAMES

- All fans in attendance are encouraged to wear gold-colored clothing to all home playoff games at Stockton Arena. Additionally, specialized first-round themed "Fry The Fish" gold-colored t-shirts will be on sale at Stockton Arena's FanAttic and throughout all Stockton Arena memorabilia stands beginning on Friday, April 13 when the Thunder host the Idaho Steelheads in game three of the National Conference quarterfinal round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs presented by Diede Construction and California Welding Supply Co.

First round gold t-shirts will be given away free to the first 500 kids (ages 12 and under) in attendance at games three (April 13) and four (April 15). Gold-colored playoff "ThunderStix" and commemorative playoff pucks will also be on sale.

TEAM NOTES:

o ATTENDANCE UPDATE: Stockton led the ECHL in attendance for the second consecutive year with 244,085 fans total (6,780 average) * the highest in the ECHL since 2001-02

o Defenseman Beau Geisler led ECHL defensemen with 28 power-play assists

o Goaltender Devan Dubnyk ranked tied for fourth in the ECHL with a .921 save percentage

o Stockton won 11 of its last 13 regular season games (11-2-0)

o Stockton won its final seven regular season home games, setting a new team record

o Left wing Brock Radunske finished on a 13-game scoring streak (13g-21a)

o Center Nathan Martz ranked fifth in the ECHL with 56 assists

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW

Wednesday, April 4 STOCKTON 4 - Fresno 2

Rookie Liam Reddox scored a career-high two goals while goaltender Devan Dubnyk made 36 saves as the Thunder closed out the regular season home schedule with the ECHL attendance lead in a 4-2 win over the Fresno Falcons at Stockton Arena on Wednesday, drawing 6,596 fans. Mike Lalonde registered two assists in his first game back from the injured reserve list, while Stephane Goulet and Colin Pepperall netted the other pair of Thunder goals.

Friday, April 6 LAS VEGAS 3 - Stockton 1

Las Vegas forward Steve Crampton netted a goal and an assist to lead a two-goal third period rally, sending the Thunder to a 3-1 loss at Orleans Arena. The Thunder loss snapped an 11-game winning streak, guaranteeing the club the fifth seed in the upcoming Kelly Cup Playoffs. Veteran Colin Pepperall scored the only Thunder goal, coming in the second period to knot the game at 1-1. All-star Devan Dubnyk made 31 saves in the losing effort, countered by Mike McKenna's 16 saves for Las Vegas.

Saturday, April 7 LAS VEGAS 2 - Stockton 1

The Thunder wrapped the 2006-07 regular season with a 2-1 loss at Las Vegas, as the Wranglers clinched the ECHL's Brabham Cup title for the league's best record and home-ice advantage through the entire Kelly Cup Playoffs. Center Brendon Hodge netted the final regular season goal for Stockton in the second period, while goaltender Cam Ellsworth kept the Thunder in the game with 33 saves, including 24 through the first two periods. Aaron Power and Derek Edwardson scored two third period goals to clinch the win for the Wranglers.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

(courtesy of The Record)

"I've changed my thoughts, my dreams. I love hunting and fishing. Maybe they won't be able to do that. Maybe they will. One day I'd like to be able to take them with me. I'd like to take them four wheeling."

- Defenseman Beau Geisler on his twin sons, who have Down Syndrome

There's nothing that would take away from my preparation for this weekend and the playoffs, but it's nice to get it settled. I'm really honored to be a part of the organization, and I think we started something good here. My vision is for this organization to be among the elite in the league."

- Head Coach Chris Cichocki after signing a three-year contract extension with the Thunder

"I talked before the game about this being a dress rehearsal for the playoffs. It's good preparation, because we were playing the best team in the whole league. And I thought it was a very well-played game on both sides."

- Head Coach Chris Cichocki after the Thunder's final regular season game at Las Vegas

Playoff notes:

- Stockton is in its first Kelly Cup Playoffs appearance in team history.

- Center Colin Pepperall won a Kelly Cup championship with Greenville in 2001-02, scoring 21 points (8g-13a) in 17 games.

- Defenseman Jason Beckett helped guide the Trenton Titans to the Kelly Cup Finals in 2000-01.

- Defenseman Tim O'Connell helped guide the Florida EverBlades to the Kelly Cup Finals in 2003-04 and 2004-05.

- In total, the Thunder roster has amassed 194 games of Kelly Cup Playoff or other professional playoff experience, scoring 94 total points (30g-64a) and totaling 365 penalty minutes.

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ECHL Stories from April 10, 2007


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