Steel-Caged Match In Conference Finals

Published on April 26, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


The sixth-seeded Thunder, opens its first trip to the National Conference Finals on Friday against the first-seeded Idaho Steelheads (second meeting in the playoffs, first since 2007) at Qwest Arena, a best-of-seven series that follows a "2-3-2" format. The series features two players with NHL playing experience (Colin Hemingway, St. Louis Blues and Bryan Young, Edmonton Oilers). It marks the Thunder's fourth straight playoff appearance and four in five seasons since joining the ECHL. The Steelheads are in their seventh straight playoff appearance and return to the Conference Finals the first time since 2007, when they eventually won their second Kelly Cup championship. Stockton won its second rounds series, 4-1 over Bakersfield and Idaho swept Utah in four games.

STOCKTON VS. IDAHO - NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINALS

Game 1: Stockton at Idaho - Friday, Apr. 30 - 6:05 p.m. (Qwest Arena)

Game 2: Stockton at Idaho - Saturday, May 1 - 6:05 p.m. (Qwest Arena)

Game 3: Idaho at Stockton - Wednesday, May 5 - 7:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 4: Idaho at Stockton - Friday, May 7 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 5: Idaho at Stockton - Saturday, May 8 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *

Game 6: Stockton at Idaho - Tuesday, May 11 - 6:05 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *

Game 7: Stockton at Idaho - Wednesday, May 12 - 6:05 p.m. (Qwest Arena) *

* If necessary

1280 AM KWSX is the Thunder's flagship radio station on the road this year 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

GAME 3 - Wednesday, May 5 vs. Idaho Steelheads, 7:00 p.m.

KELLY CUP PLAYOFFS - NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINALS (presented by Financial Center Credit Union, Jackson Rancheria and Food-4-Less)

GAME 4 - Friday, May 7 vs. Idaho Steelheads, 7:30 p.m.

KELLY CUP PLAYOFFS - NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINALS (presented by Financial Center Credit Union, Jackson Rancheria and Food-4-Less)

GAME 5 (If necessary) - Saturday, May 8 vs. Idaho Steelheads, 7:30 p.m.

KELLY CUP PLAYOFFS - NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINALS (presented by Financial Center Credit Union, Jackson Rancheria and Food-4-Less)

ALL FANS ASKED TO "GO GOLD" FOR KELLY CUP PLAYOFFS - FREE GOLD RALLY TOWELS!

The Stockton Thunder are asking all fans in attendance for Thunder home Kelly Cup Playoff games at Stockton Arena to "go gold" and wear gold clothing similar to the color in the Thunder uniform scheme. The Thunder, who ranked third in ECHL attendance this season and drew over 6,000 fans per game for the fifth consecutive season, will continue to roll out exclusive playoff merchandise, including playoff rally towels, collectible playoff pucks and gold bandanas. Special gold playoff t-shirts are on sale at all home games in the Stockton Arena "Fan Attic" and all in-arena merchandise locations. Conference Finals t-shirts and pucks will be released soon.

"KING'S ROOM" ROAD GAMES: PLAYOFF WATCH PARTIES

The Thunder is hosting Kelly Cup Playoff Watch Parties from the "King's Room" of Stockton Arena for all Thunder playoff road games as available. A tradition which started last season, fans can enjoy the game on several television monitors which will carry playoff game coverage through B2 Networks, "the official Broadband Broadcast Provider of the ECHL." Admission to Playoff Watch Parties is $5 for the general public ($3 for full Thunder Season Ticket Holders). Doors to the King's Room, located at the North Entry of Stockton Arena, will open to all fans 30 minutes prior to puck drop. Throughout each game fans can enjoy discounts on food and beverages.

"KING'S ROOM" HOME GAMES: PREGAME AND 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. A great gathering place for Thunder fans to rally before the game or celebrate a win after, enjoy drink specials along with live music! For more information, call the Thunder at (209) 373-1500.

KELLY CUP PLAYOFF TICKET INFORMATION

Kelly Cup Playoff tickets are now available in person at the Stockton Arena Alpine Meats Ticket Office, by phone at (209) 373-1700 or online at www.StocktonTickets.com, start as low as $9 per seat and range to $28 (Comcast Club). Fans wishing to get priority seating on playoff tickets can do so by placing a deposit on new Thunder Season Tickets for the 2010-11 season. Round-by-round ticket packages for the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs are now on sale and can be purchased by calling the Stockton Thunder at (209) 373-1500.

PLAYOFF TEAM LEADERS:

Points - Oren Eizenman (16) **tied

Goals - J.F. Caudron, Jason Pitton (5)

Assists - Oren Eizenman (13) **

Plus/Minus - Oren Eizenman (+9) **

Power-Play goals - Kelly Czuy (2)

** Leads ECHL

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

(subject to change, all times PT)

TUE, APR. 27:

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

WED, APR. 28:

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

THURS, APR. 29:

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

Travel to Boise, Idaho

FRI. APR. 30:

6:05 p.m. - GAME 1 AT IDAHO (Qwest Arena)

Radio coverage TBA/StocktonThunder.com

SAT. MAY 1:

6:05 p.m. - GAME 2 AT IDAHO (Qwest Arena)

Radio coverage TBA/StocktonThunder.com

SUN. MAY 2:

Travel to Stockton, Calif.

MON. MAY 3:

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

WEEK IN REVIEW:

GAME 5: STK 7 - BAK 4 (4/26/10): Oren Eizenman had a team-high three assists and all but two of his teammates hit the scoresheet, to help the Thunder eliminate the Bakersfield Condors in a 7-4 victory in Game 5 of the National Conference Semifinals of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs, before 4,608 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday. The Thunder beat Bakersfield, 4-1 in the best-of-seven series and advanced to the National Conference Finals for the first time in club history, one season after achieving its deepest playoff run in four years (second round, Division Finals). Andrew Perugini improved to 7-2 in the playoffs with 31 saves in net. The win, capping off a bet between Stockton mayor Ann Johnston and Bakersfield's Harvey Hall, awards Stockton's mayor with a supply of Dewer's candies from Bakersfield from a pre-series wager placed on the eve of Game 1.

GAME 4: STK 6 - BAK 2 (4/23/10): Matt Robinson scored playoff career-high three points (1g-2a), helping the Thunder turn in a wire-to-wire lead and sink the Bakersfield Condors in a 6-2 victory in Game 4 of the National Conference Semifinals of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs, before 4,932 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday. Stockton took a 3-1 lead in the series, and Robinson, who turned in his postseason best just one game after sitting out as a healthy scratch, helped the Thunder spur a four-goal rally in the second period. Oren Eizenman, Bryan Young, Chris D'Alvise, Jason Pitton and Matt Marquardt chipped in with a goal and Andrew Perugini posted a 27 save-effort to improve to 6-2 in the playoffs.

GAME 3: BAK 3 - STK 0 (4/21/10): -Philippe Levasseur stopped all 35 shots he saw for the first postseason shutout of his career, helping the Bakersfield Condors send the Thunder to a 3-0 defeat at Stockton Arena on Friday in Game 3 of the National Conference Semifinals of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Thunder, whose five-game winning streak in the playoffs was snapped but still holds a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, was backstopped by Andrew Perugini's 29 saves in spite of taking the loss. Stockton was shutout on home ice for their first time in postseason history, marking the first shutout loss in the playoffs since Apr. 11, 2007 against Idaho.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from April 26, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central