Surging Thunder Return Home Starting Wednesday, Host Defending Champ Alaska

Published on November 21, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT: (all times PT)

vs. Alaska Aces

Wednesday - Nov. 23 (7:00 p.m.)

Radio: 1280 AM KWSX/ StocktonThunder.com

The Thunder returns home to Stockton Arena beginning Wednesday to host the Alaska Aces and open a three game homestand. The Thunder is 21-20-14 all time against the Aces and Wednesday's game marks the first game of ten this season against Alaska, who are the defending Kelly Cup champions. Alaska defeated the Thunder, 5-2 the last time both teams met on Mar. 6, 2011 at Stockton Arena. Both teams will faceoff seven times at Stockton Arena this season. The Thunder enters the game with a 2-0-1 record in the last three home games.

vs. Las Vegas Wranglers

Friday and Saturday - Nov. 25-26 (7:30 p.m.)

Radio: 1280 AM KWSX/ StocktonThunder.com

The Stockton Thunder hosts the Las Vegas Wranglers to finish a three game homestand on both Friday and Saturday. Friday's game at Stockton Arena is the third matchup out of ten this season and reunites Thunder head coach Matt Thomas with former assistant coach Ryan Mougenel (Las Vegas head coach). The two were behind the bench in coaching roles previously with Stockton and Fresno. The Thunder is 13-25-3 lifetime vs. Las Vegas and last faced the Wranglers on Nov. 13, winning 3-2 in a shootout at Orleans Arena.

1280 AM KWSX is the Thunder's flagship radio station and all Thunder games can be heard live on the Internet (free-of-charge) and are available for viewing at a "pay-per-view" charge at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of AmericaOne. Radio broadcaster Mike Benton provides play-by-play commentary with the "Thunder Forecast" pre-game show starting 15 minutes before each broadcast.

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

(subject to change, all times PT)

Tuesday, NOV. 22

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

Wednesday, NOV. 23

10:00 a.m. - Morning skate at Stockton Arena

5:30 p.m. - Pre-game media access ends

7:00 p.m. - GAME vs. ALASKA

1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com

Thursday, NOV. 24

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

Friday, NOV. 25

10:00 a.m. - Morning skate at Stockton Arena

6:00 p.m. - Pre-game media access ends

7:30 p.m. - GAME vs. LAS VEGAS

1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com

Saturday, NOV. 26

10:00 a.m. - Morning skate at Stockton Arena

6:00 p.m. - Pre-game media access ends

7:30 p.m. - GAME vs. LAS VEGAS

1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com

Sunday, NOV. 27

Day off

Monday, NOV. 28

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

PROMOTIONAL NEWS

Wednesday, Nov. 23 vs. Alaska Aces, 7:00 p.m.

FAMILY DAY (presented by Sutter Gould Medical Foundation)

- Fans can pick up four tickets, hot dogs and soft drinks for the game, for just $34. Buy online at StocktonThunder.com, select "Thunder Pride Pack" and receive a free Thunder hat!

Friday, Nov. 25 vs. Las Vegas Wranglers, 7:30 p.m.

TEAM PHOTO GIVEAWAY (presented by AT&T/yp.com, In-Shape Health Clubs and Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel)

- All fans in attendance will receive a commemorative Thunder team photograph from the 2011-12 season, perfect for autographs and collecting!

Saturday, Nov. 26 vs. Las Vegas Wranglers, 7:30 p.m.

YOUTH T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY (presented by Aramark and AM 970 ESPN Radio)

- The first 1,000 fans (ages 12 and under) in attendance will receive a collectible Thunder t-shirt, perfect for chilling out or playing sports with friends!

COMMUNITY UPDATE

FAN ATTIC SEASON TICKET HOLDER ITEM OF THE WEEK

Reebok Adult Jerseys

Thunder Season Ticket Holders can take advantage of the new Item of the Week for 2011-12 and pick up a Thunder adult replica or authentic jersey for $10 off the listed retail price. This offer lasts through Saturday night's home game against Las Vegas and is available in person at the Stockton Arena Fan Attic. The Fan Attic will also be open for holiday hours beginning Wednesday from Noon 5-p.m., each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday until Dec. 24.

THUNDER, KIDS GET A HAIR CUT

Tuesday, Nov. 22 - Eco Chic Salon (3:30 - 5:30 p.m.)

- Thunder defensemen Tony DeHart, Mike Little, Sebastian Owuya and goaltender Thomas Heemskerk will appear at Eco Chic Salon in Stockton at 5940 Suite C, Pacific Avenue, scheduled to receive haircuts and interact with local youth for a special Thanksgiving charity event.

THOR AT RUN AND WALK AGANIST HUNGER

Thursday, Nov. 24 - Stockton Arena (8:00 a.m.)

- Thunder mascot "Thor" will be at the 7th Annual Run and Walk Against Hunger event outside Stockton Arena, cheering on runners for a special event on Thanksgiving morning which benefits the Emergency Food Bank of Stockton/San Joaquin!

WEEK IN REVIEW:

STK 3 - ONT 1 (11/19/11): Rookie Jesse Fratkin buried two goals in his second pro game and goaltender Olivier Roy made 31 saves to boost the Stockton Thunder (7-4-3, 17 points) to a 3-1 victory over the Ontario Reign before 6,697 fans at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Saturday. Fratkin broke a 1-1 tie with back to back goals less than four minutes apart, while Matt Foy earned his fifth goal of the season. The Thunder finished 4-1-1 on their season long six game road trip and improved to 7-2-2 at Citizens Business Bank Arena since the 2009-10 season.

STK 3 - ONT 2 (11/18/11): Goaltender Olivier Roy earned a career high 40 saves along with his first ECHL win and the Stockton Thunder (6-4-2, 15 points) capitalized on back to back goals in the third period en route to a 3-2 comeback victory over the Ontario Reign, before an announced crowd of 6,787 at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Friday. The Thunder improved to 3-1-1 on their six game road trip and earned the victory with the help of veteran Kevin Baker's sixth goal of the year, breaking a 2-2 tie with 8:15 left in regulation. Milan Kytnar tied the game early in the third period and Matt Foy chipped in with a goal and an assist.

ONT 4 - STK 2 (11/16/11): C.J. Stretch's three point effort and Geoff Irwin's pair of goals were enough to help the Ontario Reign defeat the Stockton Thunder (5-4-3, 13 points), 4-2, before an announced crowd of 5,999 at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Wednesday. The Thunder, who outshot Ontario at a 37-23 clip and pumped 30 shots on goal in the last two periods, had their 4-0-2 streak snapped and absorbed their first regulation loss on a season long six game road trip (2-1-1 record). Both of their goals came on the power play from Kevin Baker and Milan Kytnar.

STK 4 - BAK 2 (11/15/11): Rookie center Gabriel Levesque scored two goals, added an assist and the Stockton Thunder (5-3-3, 13 points) never trailed, prevailing in a 4-2 victory over the Bakersfield Condors before a crowd of 6,145 at Rabobank Arena on Tuesday. The Thunder gave head coach Matt Thomas a victory in his first meeting against counterpart Matt O'Dette, a former Thunder assistant coach and defenseman from 2008-11. Goaltender Thomas Heemskerk improved to 5-0-0 with a 19 save performance. Bretton Cameron and Kevin Baker added goals for the Thunder.

2011-12 TEAM LEADERS:

Points - Gabriel Levesque (12)

Goals - Kevin Baker (6)

Assists - Gabriel Levesque (7)

Plus/Minus - Matt Foy (+7)

Penalty Minutes - Cameron Abney (69)

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

- Matt Thomas is 22 wins away from 300 in his professional coaching career

- Matt Foy is 8 assists away from 100 in his professional career

- Garet Hunt is 1 game away from 200 in his professional career

- Jordan Foreman is 8 games away from 100 in his ECHL career

TEAM NOTES

- Garet Hunt set a Thunder record, playing in his 187th game with the team last Wednesday at Ontario

- Olivier Roy is 2-0-0 with a .959 save percentage in his last two appearances

- Matt Foy has scored five points (2-g3a) in the last three games

- Stockton is tied for the ECHL lead with five road victories

- Stockton leads the ECHL in attendance with an average of 7,107 fans

- Stockton is 6-2-2 in the last ten games

The Thunder Season Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (209) 373-1500 or by visiting www.stocktonthunder.com. Thunder Season Ticket Holders enjoy the highest-demanded seating locations in Stockton Arena, benefits including admission to Season Ticket Holder-only events, discount opportunities on Thunder merchandise, a free e-newsletter, an exclusive gift, admission to the first two rounds of the Kelly Cup Playoffs and more.

For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit http://www.stocktonthunder.com/.

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



ECHL Stories from November 21, 2011


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