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Stockton Thunder vs. Idaho Steelheads

February 9, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


February 9, 2009 - Stockton Arena

FACEOFF: 7:00 p.m.

RADIO: 1420 KSTN

INTERNET: www.StocktonThunder.com (B2 Networks)

2008-09 HEAD-TO-HEAD MATCHUP

11/19/08 Stockton 2 at Idaho 3 (OT)

11/21/08 Stockton 7 at Idaho 3

11/22/08 Stockton 1 at Idaho 3

1/17/09 Idaho 3 at Stockton 4

1/18/09 Idaho 3 at Stockton 4 (OT)

2/9/09 Idaho 7:00 p.m.

2/27/09 Idaho 7:30 p.m.

2/28/09 Idaho 7:30 p.m.

3/1/09 Idaho 4:00 p.m.

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP The Stockton Thunder and Idaho Steelheads meet for the sixth time this season, marking the sixth of nine matchups against the Steelheads and the third this season at Stockton Arena. The Thunder is 13-14-2 lifetime against the Steelheads and is 4-1-1 this season. The last time both teams met, the Thunder defeated Idaho 4-3 in overtime on Jan. 18 which completed a sweep in a back-to-back series at Stockton Arena.

SERIOUS DISCOUNTS ON "MORE FOR YOUR MONEY" MONDAY The Thunder hosts the Idaho Steelheads tonight at 7:00 p.m. on a "More For Your Monday" at Stockton Arena. Stockton Arena concession stands will feature dollar-off discounts on selected food, beverages and various discounts on merchandise will be offered at the Stockton Arena "FanAttic," the official team store of the Thunder. In addition, individual game tickets will be discounted by 50% and are on sale at Stockton Arena's ticket office, online via www.StocktonTickets.com and by phone at (209) 373-1700.

LAST THREE THUNDER GAMES 2/8/09 - AK 2 at STK 3: With another shorthanded roster, this time with 14 skaters, the Stockton Thunder (23-20-5, 51 points) parlayed a wire-to-wire lead for their fifth straight victory in a 3-2 triumph over the Alaska Aces before 5,646 fans at Stockton Arena on Sunday. On a day where he was honored with a t-shirt giveaway, Mike Lalonde notched a goal and an assist, including a helper on Cory Urquhart's shorthanded goal in the second period which was the eventual game-winner. Ryan Huddy also scored for the Thunder, who were aided by goaltender Andrew Perugini's eighth straight victory in net and 19 saves. Lance Galbraith and Erik Fabian scored for Alaska.

2/7/09 - STK 5 at ONT 1: Behind just 13 skaters to begin the game and five different goal-scorers, the Stockton Thunder (22-20-5, 49 points) moved to within three points of the Pacific Division-leading Ontario Reign in a 5-1 victory over the host Reign before a crowd of 6,569 at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Friday. The Thunder, who won their fourth game in a row, received goal-scoring support from Mike Lalonde, Matt O'Dette, Craig Valette, Cory Urquhart and Ryan Huddy. Goaltender Andrew Perugini made 32 saves for his seventh straight win in net. Ontario's Geoff Walker scored the team's only goal while Kellen Briggs, an ECHL All-Star in 2008, allowed five goals on 35 shots for the loss.

2/4/09 - AK 1 at STK 3: Goaltender Andrew Perugini had to make only 19 saves to increase his winning streak to six straight games in net, helping the Stockton Thunder (21-20-5, 47 points) sink the Alaska Aces in a 3-1 victory before a crowd of 3,469 at Stockton Arena on Wednesday. The Thunder, who were equipped with just 14 skaters in the lineup, won their third straight game to surpass the .500 mark for the first time this season and climbed back to a five-point deficit behind the Ontario Reign for first place in the Pacific Division. Cory Urquhart, Ryan Huddy and James Bates scored for the Thunder while Alaska countered with a second period goal from Alexandre Imbeault.

THUNDER'S WISH IS ‘GINI'S COMMAND Andrew Perugini is on a season-best eight game winning streak in net, lifting his record to 12-6-2 as of Feb. 7. A win today for Perugini ties the Thunder all-time record for longest winning streak (goaltender), currently held by Devan Dubnyk (9-0-0 from 3/9 - 4/4/07). The rookie goaltender, who was assigned to the Thunder from the Springfield Falcons, garnered the first shutout of his pro career on Jan. 28 at Victoria, stopping 38 shots. In his last eight games, Perugini has a 1.73 goals-against-average and a .941 save percentage. Perugini's efforts helped him finish runner-up for Reebok ECHL Goaltender of the Week (Jan. 26-Feb.1) and RBC Financial Group ECHL Saver of the Month for January.

CROWDING OUT THE ECHL The Thunder leads the ECHL in attendance with an average of 6,419 through 19 home games, has 13 sellouts in the team's franchise history and finished last year as the ECHL's attendance leader for the third consecutive season. It was the second straight year the Thunder surpassed the mark of 230,000 fans for one season. The Thunder's yearly attendance total finished at 239,337, an average of 6,648 fans per game. The Thunder became the first team since 2004-05 to lead the ECHL in attendance for three straight seasons (Florida led the ECHL in attendance for five straight seasons). Stockton's crowd of 9,737 on Nov. 8 against Victoria was the team's first sellout of the year.

STEP UP TO THE MIKE Returning to the lineup this season is left wing Mike Lalonde, who is the Thunder all-time leading goal scorer with 65 goals and ascended to the top perch as the Thunder all-time leading scorer with 140 points, scoring the milestone point on a goal on Dec. 21 at Ontario. Selected as the first player in Thunder history to the ECHL All-Star Game (2006), Lalonde led the ECHL with 308 shots and paced the Thunder with 29 goals as a rookie in 2005-06. Lalonde spent last season with Tilburg of the Netherlands League, guiding his team to the Dutch Cup and scoring 92 points (43g-49a) in just 34 games.

Below is a look at Lalonde's placing on the Thunder career scoring charts:

GOALS:

1. Mike Lalonde 67

2. Nathan Martz 29 Steve Slonina 29

3. Tim Verbeek 28 Ryan MacMurchy 28

POINTS

1. Mike Lalonde 142

2. Nathan Martz 122

3. Joel Irwin 68

4. Stephane Goulet 63

5. Ryan MacMurchy 58

STREAK UPDATE: Lalonde returned to the Thunder lineup on Jan. 16 and has scored 16 points (7g-9a) in his last 12 games. His four point effort (2g-2a) on Jan. 16 vs. Las Vegas tied a career-high for scoring and earned In Glas Co ECHL Player of the Week honors on Jan. 23.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING "It was a simple win, we did what was necessary to win and that's what matters," Thunder coach Matt Thomas said. "We definitely got a little tired, and it was an ugly win. In some ways we walked away uglier than we started. Look at Lalonde's nose." - Head Coach Matt Thomas on the Thunder's 3-2 win vs. Alaska, The Record, 2/9/09

"We're having fun, and we look at this as more of a challenge than a problem," O'Dette said. "You always get up for a challenge." & bsp; - Defenseman Matt O'Dette on winning with a shorthanded roster, The Record, 2/8/09

PARTY LIKE IT'S 2009 Ever since New Year's Eve, the Thunder have enjoyed scoring in bunches from All-Star Ryan Huddy and rookie forward James Bates. Below is a look at how the Thunder duo ranks among the league's top scorers, since Dec. 31:

ECHL SCORING LEADERS (Since Dec. 31, 2008)

PLAYER TEAM GP PTS G A +/-

1) Kevin Baker Florida Everblades 20 32 20 12 3

2) * Bryan Ewing Wheeling Nailers 17 31 18 13 7

3) Ryan Kinasewich Utah Grizzlies 14 30 12 18 10

4) * Mark Van Guilder Cincinnati Cyclones 18 26 8 18 5

5) * Jimmy Kilpatrick Las Vegas Wranglers 15 24 11 13 5

6) * James Bates Stockton Thunder 17 23 8 15 8

7) Travis Morin South Carolina Stingrays 20 22 5 17 8

8) * Ryan Huddy Stockton Thunder 18 22 12 10 6

9) Mark Lee Florida Everblades 14 21 8 13 6

10) * Jordan Morrison Wheeling Nailers 13 21 5 16 -2

11) Peter Metcalf Florida Everblades 18 21 2 19 3

12) * Rob Hennigar Utah Grizzlies 14 21 5 16 8

13) Brock Hooton Reading Royals 13 20 5 15 7

14) Mike McLean Dayton Bombers 16 20 6 14 4

15) * Matt Pope Bakersfield Condors 19 20 9 11 -9

* Denotes rookie



ECHL Stories from February 9, 2009


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