The Falcon has landed

Published on February 6, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


Thunder and Falcons renew acquaintances with four games in five days

THUNDER OVERALL RECORD: 8-25-7 (23 points) LAST WEEK: 1-3-0

THIS WEEKS OPPONENT:

Wednesday, February 8: vs. Fresno Falcons (7 p.m. PT) Friday, February 10: at Fresno Falcons (7 p.m. PT) Saturday, February 11: vs. Fresno Falcons (7:30 p.m. PT) Sunday, February 12: vs. Fresno Falcons (4 p.m. PT)

The rivalry that only separates two hours of freeway drive and 126 miles between both teams heats up as the Thunder plays a whopping four games in a week span against the Falcons (ECHL San Jose Sharks affiliate). Stockton is in search of its first win in four tries against the Falcons (0-3-1 record) and faces Fresno in its first Stockton Arena matchup this week.

Geno Parrish and Nathan Martz have collected four assists apiece to lead the Thunder in individual scoring against Fresno, while J.F. Plourdes five points (3g-2a) leads Fresno in scoring against the Thunder. Both teams last met on December 26, a 2-1 Thunder loss at Save Mart Center.

The Thunder leads the ECHL in per-game attendance (6,167 average), and another large crowd is expected at Saturdays game. Jersey Night highlights Saturdays game, presented by KAT Country, Pepsi and News10, where the first 2,000 children in attendance receive a Thunder replica jersey.

Family Day (presented by Alpine Meats & KJOY) also headlines Sundays game, with four upper premium/end zone tickets, two hot dogs and two hockey pucks available in a package for $34. Vouchers validating a Family Day purchase can be picked up at participating Stockton-area grocery stores.

All 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 6:45 p.m. PT Wednesday and Friday, 7:15 p.m. PT Saturday, and 3:45 p.m. PT Sunday.

STOCKTON THUNDER SCHEDULE: February 7 - 13

(Subject to change, all times Pacific)

Tuesday, February 7

10 a.m.: Practice at Oak Park Rink

Wednesday, February 8

10 a.m.: Morning Skate at Stockton Arena

7 p.m.: Game vs. Fresno Falcons (Stockton Arena)

Thursday, February 9

10 a.m.: Practice at Stockton Arena

Friday, February 10

10 a.m.: Morning Skate at Stockton Arena

7 p.m.: Game at Fresno Falcons (Save Mart Center)

Saturday, February 11

10 a.m.: Optional Morning Skate at Stockton Arena

7:30 p.m.: Game vs. Fresno Falcons (Stockton Arena)

Sunday, February 12

4 p.m.: Game vs. Fresno Falcons (Stockton Arena)

Monday, February 13

Day Off

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

oDean Stork is eight assists away from 100 in his ECHL career

oNathan Martz is 19 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

oSteve Slonina is 15 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

WEEK IN REVIEW

WEEKLY SPECIAL

Stockton Thunder goaltender Jake Moreland was named Reebok Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week for the week of January 23-29, the ECHL announced last Tuesday.

Moreland headlined his week with his first All-Star appearance in the 2006 ECHL All-Star Game presented by Bud Light, stopping all 12 shots faced for the National Conference in the games second period, part of a 7-6 National Conference win on January 25. Moreland finished as the only goaltender to post a shutout period in the game.

Moreland, who previously spent two seasons with the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (2003-05), resumed regular season play with 41 saves in a 3-2 Thunder overtime win at San Diego on January 27, Stocktons first Pacific Divisional win since November. A night later, he followed with a career-high and Thunder record 51 saves in a 2-1 Thunder shootout loss to the Long Beach Ice Dogs at Stockton Arena.

In total for the week, Moreland stopped 92 of 95 shots faced in two regular season games, also tallying a 1.44 goals-against-average, a .968 save percentage and a 1-0-1 record.

Wednesday, February 1

STOCKTON 4 vs. Utah 3 (OT)

The Thunder completed a dramatic, come-from-behind victory with Maris Ziedins game-winning overtime goal with 5.9 seconds left, in a 4-3 win over the Utah Grizzlies at Stockton Arena on Wednesday. The Thunder, who snapped a 12-game home winless skid with its first home win since December 10, tied the game with 1:04 left in regulation on Joel Irwins rebound goal, adding to his three-point night (2g-1a). Aaron MacInnis pitched in with a first period power play goal, while goaltender Jake Moreland stopped 29 shots.

Friday, February 3

Alaska 6 vs. STOCKTON 3

The Thunder saw its season-high four-game unbeaten streak snapped in a 6-3 loss to the Alaska Aces on Friday at Stockton Arena. Aaron Foster powered the Thunder offense with two first period goals, including the games first goal only 55 seconds into the contest. Joel Irwin added a third period goal, while Alaskas Mike Scott led the Aces offensively with four points (2g-2a).

Saturday, February 4

Alaska 8 vs. STOCKTON 2

The Thunder surrendered a season-high eight goals in an 8-2 setback to the Alaska Aces, statistically the best team in the ECHL. Stockton grabbed the first goal of the game, with Kevin Gardner taking Saturday nights honors only 1:25 into the game. Steve Slonina broke out of a monstrous 11-game goal-scoring drought with a second period marker. Alex Leavitt and Justin Maiser scored two goals apiece to lead Alaskas offense.

Sunday, February 5

Bakersfield 4 vs. STOCKTON 2

Sean Venedams hat trick sent the Thunder to a 4-2 loss to the Bakersfield Condors on Sunday at Stockton Arena. For the fifth game in a row, the Thunder got on the scoreboard first, with a Kevin Gardner goal for the second game in a row. Jeff Worlton also cashed in with a second period goal, his first goal in 105 career ECHL games. Thunder Goaltenders Jeff Weber and Jake Moreland combined for 37 saves.

THUNDER NOTES:

oThe Thunder has registered five of its eight wins in overtime or shootouts

oRight wing Joel Irwin has registered 11 points (5g-6a) in his last 10 games

oThe Thunder has drawn crowds of 8,000 or more five times this season at Stockton Arena (includes two sellouts - 10,117)

oForward Steve Slonina has picked up five points (1g-4a) in his last four games

oForward Maris Ziedins has posted five points (2g-3a) in his last five games

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ECHL Stories from February 6, 2006


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