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Snapping Out Of It

January 9, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:

Tuesday, January 10: vs. Idaho Steelheads (7 p.m. PT)

Stockton (ECHL affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes) and Idaho (ECHL affiliate of the Dallas Stars) face each other for the first time in 2005-06, marking the first of five meetings between both teams. The Thunder looks to build on its win last Sunday at Phoenix, which snapped a 10-game winless streak. The Steelheads, the 2003-04 Kelly Cup Champions, have posted one of the best road records in the ECHL (11-4-1) and are paced by Garett Bembridge's 52 points (28g-24a), which leads the league in scoring.

Friday and Saturday, January 13-14: vs. Florida Everblades (7:30 p.m. PT - both games)

The Thunder faces the Everblades (ECHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes) for the first time this season; Florida was a Kelly Cup Finalist for the last two seasons. The Everblades are enjoying a surge with wins in eight of their last 10 games, and have posted the best record in the American Conference this season (22-8-2, 46 points). Forward Dan Sisca, recently named to the American Conference roster for the 2006 ECHL All-Star Game, leads Florida in scoring with 38 points (11g-27a).

With two weekend home games scheduled, the Thunder is expecting large turnouts for both contests and currently leads the ECHL in attendance with an average of 6,190 fans per game. Friday's and Saturday's games feature a Thunder Team Card Set poster giveaway, presented by Dameron Hospital and In-Shape Health Clubs, free to the first 2,000 fans ages 12 and under in attendance.

All three games can be heard live on the internet (free-of-charge) and are available for viewing a $6 "pay-per-view" fare at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B-2 Networks. Thunder broadcaster Mike Benton will provide play-by-play commentary, with the pre-game show beginning at 6:45 p.m (PT) Tuesday, and 7:15 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

STOCKTON THUNDER SCHEDULE: January 10-16 (Subject to change, all times Pacific)

Tuesday, January 10 10 a.m.: Morning skate at Stockton Arena 7 p.m.: Game vs. Idaho Steelheads (Stockton Arena)

Wednesday, January 11 10 a.m.: Practice at Stockton Arena

Thursday, January 12 10 a.m.: Practice at Stockton Arena

Friday, January 13 10 a.m.: Morning skate at Stockton Arena 7:30 p.m.: Game vs. Florida Everblades (Stockton Arena)

Saturday, January 14 10 a.m.: Morning skate at Stockton Arena 7:30 p.m.: Game vs. Florida Everblades (Stockton Arena)

Sunday, January 15 Day Off

Monday, January 16 10 a.m.: Practice at Stockton Arena

UPCOMING MILESTONES:
- Dean Stork is nine assists away from 100 in his ECHL career
- Nathan Martz is six games away from 100 in his ECHL career
- Dave McCulloch is five games away from 100 in his ECHL career

WEEK IN REVIEW

L'ADDITIONS

The Thunder announced defenseman Steve L'Ecuyer was claimed off waivers from the South Carolina Stingrays last Wednesday.

L'Ecuyer, 23, previously appeared in nine games with the Stingrays in 2005-06 before changing teams, recording 15 penalty minutes. He made his debut for the Thunder in last Friday's game against the Utah Grizzlies, a 5-1 Thunder loss.

In addition, the Thunder announced defenseman Likit Andersson was traded to the Stingrays in exchange for financial considerations.

On Friday, the Thunder activated defenseman Dean Stork off the seven-day injured reserve list, while trading right wing Jason Kostadine to the Reading Royals in exchange for financial considerations.

Friday, January 6 Utah 5 vs. STOCKTON 1

Stockton found itself on the wrong end of an uber-physical contest, in a 5-1 loss to Utah on Friday at Stockton Arena. The Thunder registered 58 penalty minutes in the game, including 42 in the third period. Steve Slonina tallied the Thunder's lone goal at the 8:26 mark of the third period, while Utah collected goals from D.J. Jelitto, Matt Craig, Colt King, Ryan Kinasewich and Trevor Baker.

Saturday, January 7 Las Vegas 2 vs. STOCKTON 1

The Thunder dropped its fourth meeting of the year with the Las Vegas Wranglers in a 2-1 setback on Saturday at Orleans Arena, stymied by Las Vegas goaltender Mike McKenna's 24 saves. Geno Parrish's first period power play goal accounted for the only Thunder score on the night, while Las Vegas received offensive support from Shawn Limpright's second period goal and Chris Nieszner's game-winner in the third. Jeff Weber stopped 34 shots in net for Stockton.

Sunday, January 8 STOCKTON 1 vs. Phoenix 0

Steve Slonina's goal with under three minutes left in the game, along with Jake Moreland's seventh career shutout (first road shutout in Thunder history), lifted the Thunder to a 1-0 victory over the Phoenix RoadRunners on Sunday at U.S. Airways Center. The Thunder gained its first road win since November 20, and snapped a 10-game winless streak with the victory. Moreland stopped 45 shots in net for Stockton, including 17 in the third period.

THUNDER NOTES:
- Goaltender Jake Moreland, who earned his second shutout of 2005-06 and seventh of his career a win over Phoenix last Sunday, has notched six periods of shutout hockey over Phoenix (67 saves)
- Forward Steve Slonina has recorded four goals in his last five games, and six points (4g-2a) in his last 10 games
- Defenseman Dean Stork played in his 400th career ECHL game in last Saturday's 2-1 loss at Las Vegas
- Stockton has gained five of its six wins outside of divisional play
- The Thunder set a team season-high with 58 penalty minutes in last Friday's 5-1 loss to Utah



ECHL Stories from January 9, 2006


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