Shootout Loss Gears Thunder for Weekend Roadie

Published on October 31, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:

Friday, November 4 - @ Fresno Falcons, 7pm (PT) - Both teams have only met twice in Thunder team history, most recently on October 22nd, in a Thunder 4-3 loss in Stockton's inaugural game. Stockton trailed 4-0 before three goals, including two by Derek Campbell, turned a potential blowout into a third period horserace. The Thunder carries a 1-1-0 clip all-time versus Fresno.

Both teams return to the ice against each other with plenty of physical play (70 combined PIM's last matchup) and former teammates across opposing lines (Fresno's roster is laced with nine former Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies, including Head Coach Matt Thomas) at-hand. Only a two-hour drive on highway-99 separates both teams geographically, and both teams will face each other eight more times this year. Former Boardwalk Bully Luke Curtin currently leads Fresno in scoring with 10 points (5g-5a).

Saturday, November 5 - @ San Diego Gulls, 7:05pm (PT) - Both teams have never faced each other, period. The ice will be broken quickly during the 2005-06 campaign, as the Thunder and Gulls will square-off seven times as intra-divisional rivals. A big crowd possibly awaits the Thunder, as San Diego will host the Thunder in the Gulls' 2005 home opener. San Diego's average of 5,678 fans through the turnstiles finished third in the ECHL's attendance marks in 2004-05.

San Diego, who have now switched NHL affiliates from the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim to the Colorado Avalanche, is led offensively by Steve Hildenbrand's four points (2g-2a).

Both games can be heard on the internet at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B-2 Networks. A video simulcast of both games is also available at the Thunder website for a $6 pay-per-view fare. Thunder broadcaster Mike Benton will provide play-by-play commentary, with the pre-game show beginning at 6:45pm on Friday and 6:50pm on Saturday.

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PAGE 2 of 5 THUNDER WEEKLY: Oct. 31 - Nov. 4

STOCKTON THUNDER SCHEDULE: October 31 - November 6

(All times pacific, subject to change)

Monday, October 31

10am - 11:30: Practice at Oak Park Rink

Tuesday, November 1

10am - 11:30: Practice at Oak Park Rink

Wednesday, November 2

10am - 11:30: Practice at Oak Park Rink

Thursday, November 3

TBA

Friday, November 4

9:30am - 10:30: Morning skate at Oak Park Rink

7pm: Game vs. Fresno Falcons (Save Mart Center)

Saturday, November 5

TBA (Morning skate)

7:05pm: Game vs. San Diego Gulls (San Diego Sports Arena)

Sunday, November 6

Off Day

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

- Joel Irwin is seven goals away from 100, and 16 games away from 300 in his ECHL career.

- Nathan Martz is 31 games away from 100 in his ECHL career.

- Dave McCulloch is 30 games away from 100 in his ECHL career.

- Geno Parrish is 5 assists away from 100 in his ECHL career.

- Dean Stork is 8 games away from 400 in his pro career, and 21 games away from 400 in his ECHL career.

- Maris Ziedins is 31 games away from 100 in his ECHL career.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Saturday, Oct. 20

LONG BEACH 4 vs. STOCKTON 3 (shootout)

LONG BEACH, Calif. - Ash Goldie's goal in the fourth shootout frame was enough to send the Stockton Thunder to a 4-3 shootout loss to the Long Beach Ice Dogs, in front of 3,198 at Long Beach Arena on Saturday night.

The Thunder, who laced together another incredible comeback for the second game in a row, originally fell on bleak times with a 3-0 deficit. Long Beach began the scoring late in the first period, when Cory Urquhart blistered a one-timer home from the right point on the power play, putting the Ice Dogs up 1-0 with 14:54 gone.

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PAGE 3 of 5 THUNDER WEEKLY: Oct. 31 - Nov. 4

Long Beach capped off a controlling second period with another power play marker at 15:47, when Christian Larrivee pumped in his third goal on the year for a 2-0 Long Beach edge.

The Thunder deficit was stretched to 3-0 at the third period's 14:46 mark, when Long Beach's Max Birbraer capped-off a two-on-one rush by taking Chris Kenady's pass from the right wing and one-timing it under the crossbar.

Stockton then opened the floodgates, scoring an eye-popping three goals in two minutes and thirty-nine seconds. Joel Irwin banged home a loose puck in the crease seven seconds after Birbraer's marker to put the Thunder on the board at 3-1. Nine seconds later, Mike Lalonde batted in a rebound on the right side of the crease, to cut the lead at 3-2.

Steve Slonina then tied the game at the 17:32 mark on the power play, sending the Thunder bench into eruption mode, when his 20-foot wrist shot at the left circle beat Long Beach netminder Greg Hewitt through his legs.

After a scoreless overtime session, Joel Irwin and Derek Campbell's shootout goals for Stockton were edged by Long Beach's four shootout markers from Jason Sessa, Urquhart, Larrivee, and Goldie.

Jeff Weber stopped 36 shots in net for the Thunder, while Hewitt finished the night for Long Beach with 26 saves.

The Thunder gains their first point in team history with the shootout decision, and drops to 0-1-1 on the campaign. Long Beach, after their worst start in team history, improve to 1-4-0. Stockton was paced offensively by Lalonde (1g-1a) and Irwin's (1g-1a) two points on the night.

MEET MIKE BROWN, COLLEGE STAR

STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder announced last Monday the claiming of goaltender Mike Brown off waivers from the Toledo Storm.

Brown, 24, is slated to make his professional debut in 2005-06. A native of Calgary, Alberta, he enjoyed a heralded four years at Ferris State University (NCAA), where he holds the school record for wins (63), most career shutouts (10), and most saves (3,409).

The Thunder also announced it had placed goaltender Jake Moreland on the seven-day injured reserve list with a shoulder injury, sustained in the Thunder's 4-3 loss at Fresno on October 22.

STEVE SLONINA CAN DO-IT-ALL

STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder agreed to terms with center Steve Slonina, Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki announced last Wednesday.

"Steve will improve our core of forwards, and gives us an excellent upgrade at any three forward spots," said Cichocki. "He is a versatile two-way forward who if needed, can play defense as well."

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PAGE 4 of 5 THUNDER WEEKLY: Oct. 31 - Nov. 4

Slonina, 24, makes his third ECHL stop in Stockton. He produced a solid rookie campaign in 2003-04 with the Gwinnett Gladiators (ECHL), posting 37 points (20g-17a=37p) in 69 games, finishing tied for third on the team in goals. He appeared in 51 games with the Toledo Storm (ECHL) in 2004-05, racking up 19 points (8g-11-a=19p).

The Thunder has also announced it had waived forward Noah Whyte.

MIGHTY CASEY HAS ... COME OFF I.R.

STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder announced it has activated center Casey Bartzen off the seven-day injured reserve list last Saturday, and placed defenseman Tony Johnson on the seven-day injured reserve list with an ankle injury.

Bartzen, 26, made his Thunder debut in Stockton's 4-3 shootout loss to Long Beach recording no points and two shots. Bartzen appeared in two games last season with the Victoria Salmon Kings (ECHL) in his professional debut, previously spending four seasons with University of British Columbia (CIS), appearing in 134 total games (17g-82a=99p). His 33 points (2g-31a=33p) in 2004-05 led the team in scoring and assists.

WEEK IN REVIEW NOTES:

- Saturday's three goals in 2:39 (Joel Irwin, Mike Lalonde, Steve Slonina) and two goals in nine seconds (Irwin, Lalonde) are new Thunder records, and are three seconds shy of the ECHL record for fastest two goals in league history

- Saturday night's shootout loss was the first setback to the Long Beach Ice Dogs in team history, with the Thunder now carrying a 3-0-1 clip all-time versus Long Beach.

- Steve Slonina became the third player to score in his debut with the Thunder this season (other two are Noah Whyte and Derek Campbell)

- Jeff Weber has now stopped 55 of 58 shots to begin the 2005-06 season

Thunder season tickets are on sale now. Tickets for December 10th's home opener against the Phoenix Roadrunners can currently be purchased as part of a full or mini season package. For more information on season tickets, mini packages, merchandise, or other information, please call the Stockton Thunder at (209) 948-3322 or visit www.stocktonthunder.com.

THUNDER OVERALL RECORD: 0-1-1, 1 PT LAST WEEK: 0-0-1, 1 PT

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ECHL Stories from October 31, 2005


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