Surging Thunder Winners In 5 Of 8

Published on December 28, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS: (all times PT)

vs. Bakersfield Condors (Tuesday - 7:00 p.m.) - B2 Networks

The Thunder faces the Bakersfield Condors in the fifth meeting of the season between both teams at Stockton Arena, marking the first home game for the Thunder since Dec. 5. Both teams face each other 12 times for the 2009-10 season and in the last meeting, the Thunder defeated the Condors 3-1 at Rabobank Arena on Dec. 26. Stockton carries at lifetime record of 14-14-8 against Bakersfield and leads the season series, 3-1-0. With the exception of nine games against the Idaho Steelheads, the Thunder owns an 11-6-2 record this year against the rest of its ECHL schedule.

at Idaho Steelheads (Thursday - Saturday - 6:10 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN, B2 Networks

The Thunder visits the Idaho Steelheads beginning Thursday on New Year's Eve night for three games in three days to kick-off a four-game road trip. Through 42 games in the lifetime series, the Thunder is 16-23-3 against Idaho and is looking to snap a nine-game winless streak in the season series (0-8-1 vs. Idaho). The last time both teams met, Idaho defeated the Thunder, 5-1 on Nov. 28 at Stockton Arena. Both teams are facing each other 12 times in the first 32 games and Saturday's game is the finale of the season series.

1420 KSTN 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 $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

Tuesday, Dec. 29 vs. Bakersfield Condors, 7:00 p.m.

KNIT CAP GIVEAWAY (presented by 97.7/98.3 KWIN and Comcast)

- The first 1,000 fans (ages 13 and over) will receive a free Thunder knit cap!

Sunday, Jan. 10 vs. Bakersfield Condors, 4:00 p.m.

REPLICA JERSEY GIVEAWAY (presented by Pepsi, News10 and KAT Country 103)

- The first 2,000 kids (ages 12 and under) in attendance will receive a replica gold Thunder third jersey!

FAMILY DAY (99.3 KJOY and Metro PCS)

- $29 upper premium / end zone admission (four tickets, four hot dogs, four soft drinks, coupon for $4 dollars off the Fan Attic) with coupon available by visiting participating MetroPCS locations. An $84 value.

WEBKINZ GIVEAWAY (presented by 99.3 KJOY)

- The first 500 fans (ages 12 and under) in attendance will receive a collectible Webkinz plush doll.

THIRD JERSEY GAME

- The Thunder is scheduled to wear their gold-colored third jersey for Sunday's game.

COMMUNITY UPDATE

"Thor" appearance, Winter Wonderland Public Skating Session at Stockton Arena

Monday - Wednesday, Dec. 21-23, 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Thunder mascot "Thor," appeared at the "Winter Wonderland" Public Skate session, hosted by Stockton Arena from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Dec. 21-23. Mingling with hockey fans of all ages, Thor was available for photo and autograph opportunities to the public throughout the entire event.

"Winter Wonderland" was a special holiday celebration where kids and adults skated on the ice of Stockton Arena, home to the Thunder, for $5 admission. A portion of the proceeds were donated to local charities, including the Emergency Food Bank Stockton/San Joaquin. Additionally, all fans in attendance who brought canned food or a gently used or new coat received $2 off admission.

"KINGS ROOM" 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. For more information, call the Thunder at (209) 373-1500.

2009-10 TEAM LEADERS:

Points -Judd Blackwater (26)

Goals - Judd Blackwater (12)

Assists - Oren Eizenman (18)

Plus/Minus -Steve Vanoosten (+6)

Penalty Minutes - Garet Hunt (86)

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Judd Blackwater is 2 games away from 100 in his professional career

o Kelly Czuy is 22 points away from 100 in his professional career

o Igor Gongalsky is 22 points away from 100 in his professional career

o Matt Robinson is 4 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

TEAM NOTES

- Matt Robinson has seven points (6g-1a) in his last eight games- Kenny MacAulay ranks fifth in the ECHL with 11 power-play assists

- Judd Blackwater is tied for the ECHL lead with seven power-play goals

- Stockton leads the ECHL with an average of 5,874 fans in attendance (12 home games)

- Stockton's power-play leads the ECHL at 23.4 percent (32-for-137)

- Stockton is tied for fourth in the ECHL with eight road wins

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

(subject to change, all times PT)

TUE. DEC. 29:

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

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

7:00 p.m. - GAME VS. BAKERSFIELD

StocktonThunder.com

WED. DEC. 30:

Travel day to Boise, Idaho

THUR. DEC. 31:

10:15 a.m. - Morning skate at Qwest Arena (Boise, ID)

6:10 p.m. - GAME AT IDAHO (Qwest Arena)

1420 KSTN/StocktonThunder.com

FRI. JAN. 1:

10:15 a.m. - Morning skate at Qwest Arena (Boise, ID)

6:10 p.m. - GAME AT IDAHO (Qwest Arena)

1420 KSTN/StocktonThunder.com

SAT. JAN. 2:

No morning skate

6:10 p.m. - GAME AT IDAHO (Qwest Arena)

1420 KSTN/StocktonThunder.com

SUN. JAN. 3:

Travel day to Stockton, Calif.

MON. JAN. 4:

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

WEEK IN REVIEW

STK 3 - BAK 1 (12/26/09): Goaltender Bryan Pitton made 41 saves, one off his career-high, to help the Thunder sink the Bakersfield Condors in a 3-1 victory before a crowd of 6,570 at Rabobank Arena on Saturday night. The win, which capped a seven-game road trip for the Thunder 4-3-0, gave Bakersfield their first loss at home since October 30, snapping a 10-game win streak. The Thunder received goal scoring support from Chris D'Alvise, Kelly Czuy, and an empty net goal from Igor Gongalsky. Stephane Goulet scored the only goal for Bakersfield.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

(courtesy of The Record)

"Our goaltender was fantastic and he won us the game," Thomas said. "We did a good job of taking advantage of our scoring opportunities."

- Head coach Matt Thomas after the Thunder defeated Bakersfield, 3-1 at Rabobank Arena on Bryan Pitton's 41-save effort, The Record, 12/15/09

THUNDER 2009-10 REGULAR SEASON STATISTICS

The proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League and Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League, the Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season tickets for 2009-10 are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit http://www.stocktonthunder.com/.

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ECHL Stories from December 28, 2009


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