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The Weekly Weather Report

November 25, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THUNDER OVERALL RECORD : 11-4-0-1, 23 points (2nd Pacific/3rd Western Conference)

LAST WEEK: 4-0-0-0

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS : (all times PT)

AWAY: Wednesday, Nov. 27 (7:00 p.m.) at ONTARIO REIGN

HOME: Friday, Nov. 29 (7:30 p.m.) vs. ONTARIO REIGN

AWAY: Saturday, Nov. 30 (7:00 p.m.) at BAKERSFIELD CONDORS

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The Stockton Thunder face a big home-and-home series with the Ontario Reign for the top spot in the Pacific Division this week. The Thunder, who went 4-1-0-1 on the 6-game home stand, head down to Ontario for a midweek battle against the Reign. Then after getting Thanksgiving Day off, the Thunder are back on the Stockton Arena ice Friday for the last time in November and last until December 15 th against the same Ontario Reign. The team does play on back-to-back days as they head down to Bakersfield, a place they've yet to lose this season, for the fourth time.

WEEK IN REVIEW :

STK 5 - SF 1 (11/20/13) : After Brian Foster lost his first game, albeit in a shootout, Coach Kromm stuck with the netminder and it paid off big time. Foster nearly posted his second shutout of the season as he stopped 32 of 33 shots in the big win over Stockton's Bay Area rival. James Henry had two goals in the game and became the first player on the Thunder to record a multi-goal game a second time.

STK 3 - UTA 2 (11/22/13) : Utah scored 1:15 into the game and had the 2-1 lead heading into the third frame, but Landon Oslanski's second goal in as many nights tied the game up and just under 10 minutes later, Corey Trivino found Brayden Irwin who powered through the Grizzlies defense in on goal. Despite being grabbed and brought down to the ice on his stomach, Irwin was able to control the puck and with one hand on his stick, beat Utah's Igor Bobkov for the miraculous game winner.

STK 3 - IDH 1 (11/23/13) : The Steelheads were in Stockton Arena for the first time since Game 5 of the 2012-13 Western Conference Final, where the team from Idaho would be eliminated thanks to Andrew Clark. While Clark wouldn't be the hero in this game, it'd be a teammate of his from that Kelly Cup Playoff run in Ryan Constant who had a hand in all three goals the Thunder scored in the victory. Constant scored from the point, found Captain Garet Hunt in front of Idaho netminder Pat Nagle for the tip-in goal, and banked an impressive shot off the high glass in his own zone that caromed in to the empty net to complete his three point night and seal the win for the Thunder.

STK 4 - IDH 3 OT (11/24/13) : The Thunder struggled out of the gate as the Steelheads scored a power play tally past goaltender Brad Phillips (playing in his first game for the Thunder) in the first period, but the Thunder would come back and take a 2-1 lead after two thanks to power play markers from Joey Martin and Brayden Irwin. Idaho came to play in the third and would score two goals in 31 seconds to put the Thunder on their heels, however, Coach Kromm's boys would find a way to tie this up midway through the third as Ryan Constant found J.P. Burkemper in front of Idaho keeper Brooks Ostergard for the tip-in goal. When the game reached extra time, it'd be a Garet Hunt pass to Constant, who circled behind the Idaho net, centered a back door feed for Andrew Clark, who buried the overtime winner. Oddly enough, Andrew Clark had two game winners in the 2012-13 Western Conference Final against the Steelheads as he scored the Game 2 overtime winner, and also scored the Game 5 winner to send the Thunder to the Kelly Cup Final.

2013-14 TEAM LEADERS :

Points - Ryan Hayes (15)

Goals - Andrew Clark (6)

Assists - Ryan Hayes, Ryan Constant (12)

Plus/Minus - Ryan Constant (+12)

Penalty Minutes - Garet Hunt, Mike Dalhuisen (32)*

*Dalhuisen was recalled by Bridgeport on 11/10/13.

2013-14 GOALTENDING LEADERS :

Games Played - Brian Foster (10)

Wins - Brian Foster (9)

Goals Against Average - Brian Foster (1.68)

Save Percentage - Brian Foster (.943)

Shutouts - Brian Foster (1)

UPCOMING MILESTONES :

- Ryan Hayes is 7 points away from 150 in his ECHL career and 17 games away from 200-Jason Clark is 9 games away from 50 in his ECHL career

- Brian Foster is 10 games away from 100 and 10 wins shy of 50 in his ECHL career

- Matt Bergland is 14 points away from 50 in his ECHL career

- Shawn Boutin is 15 games away from 100 in his ECHL career

- Brayden Irwin is 16 games away from 100 in his ECHL career

- Garet Hunt is 19 games shy of 350 in his ECHL career

- Corey Trivino is 21 games away from 100 in his ECHL career

RECENTLY ACCOMPLISHED MILESTONES :

- Landon Oslanski scored his first professional goal when he fired a clapper from the point on 11/20/13 against J.P. Anderson of San Francisco

- Nathan Deck played in his 100th game in his ECHL career

- Ryan Constant played in his 350th game when he suited up against the Condors on 11/10/13. He also scored his 150th career ECHL point against Bakersfield on 11/14/13

- Mathieu Gagnon picked up his 50th career penalty minute in the ECHL when he took a minor penalty in Bakersfield on 11/10/13

TEAM NOTES :

-Stockton has won four straight games (all on home ice) dating back to 11/20/13. The Thunder have also picked up points in five straight games.

-The Thunder have the top power play unit in the league having converted 28.1% of their chances. On home ice, the Thunder's PP has struck 46.4% of the time.

-The Stockton Penalty Kill ranks tied 4th in the league, killing off 89.7% of their chances

-Having scored 54 goals, the Thunder are tied with Alaska and Cincinnati for second in goals for behind only the Floriday Everblades who've scored 65.

-Stockton averages 3.38 goals per game and has allowed only 2.38 goals per game. In both categories the Thunder rank 4th in the league.

-The Thunder have won four straight games dating back to 11/20/13 and have points in five straight games dating back to 11/17/13

-For only the third time all season, Sunday's game against Idaho was the third overtime game the Thunder all season. The Thunder have won two in the 5 minute frame and lost their lone shootout.

-Only three players on the active roster have yet to register a point this season (not including goalies).

- Andrew Clark leads the team with 51 shots on goal. His 14 points ranks him 3 rd amongst rookies

- Ryan Hayes is tied for 9th in the league in points with 17 despite missing the last two games.

- Brian Foster ranks 1 st in the league with a 1.68 goals against average among goaltenders who've played 10 or more games. He also ranks 1 st in the league with a .943 save percentage and tied 1 st in the league in wins with 9. Foster has yet to lose a game in regulation.

- James Henry had his second multi-goal performance in his professional career against Bakersfield on Thursday morning with two goals. He is also the first member of the Thunder to score more than one goal on two occasions (Scored 2 goals for the second time on 11/20/13)

- Ryan Constant is tied 15 th in the league with 15 points. In the last four games Constant has scored 3 goals and added 4 assists. His 15 points also puts him atop the defenseman leaderboard.

- Landon Oslanski scored his first professional goal when he fired a clapper from the point on 11/20/13 against J.P. Anderson of San Francisco. His 8 points ties him for 10th in the league among defenseman.

- Brayden Irwin picked up 2 goals and 3 assists in the last 4 games. Irwin has 9 points in 9 games with the Thunder this season.

- Brad Phillips won his first game with the Thunder on 11/24/13

INJURY REPORT :

- Alex MacLeod remains on the 21-day IR with a lower body injury (Placed on IR 10/17/13).

LAST WEEK'S ROSTER MOVES :

- Brad Phillips signed by the Thunder 11/19/13

- Dave Guy released as an emergency backup by Thunder 11/18/13

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS :

-Friday night's game against the Ontario Reign will feature a Team Photo Giveaway. The team photo of the 2013-14 Stockton Thunder will be handed out to the first 2,000 fans at Stockton Arena are presented by Yellow Pages, Tap Gift, and KWIN.

HOLIDAY DEALS :

-This week purchase any Thunder Holiday Ticket Plan and receive a free Garet Hunt autographed and framed photo. This offer expires on November 29th at 11:59 PM.

-The Black Friday Doorbuster is a ticket to the Friday, November 29th showdown against the Ontario Reign and a Thunder hat for just $20!

-The Cyber Monday deal is a ticket to the Sunday, December 15th game against the Bakersfield Condors and a Thunder hat for the same $20 price!

-Black Friday begins at the Stockton Fan Attic on Friday, November 29th at 12pm with deals on merchandise throughout the store!

COMMUNITY CORNER :

Saturday morning a platoon of volunteers came to Stockton Arena as people in need gathered to pick up the winter coats, blankets, socks, and scarves that our fans donated.

"The pure numbers of the event were impressive," said Thunder Vice President of Operations and Marketing Bryan Boyes. "When you walk into the Stockton Arena conference rooms and see wall to wall coverage of blankets, socks, coats, and other articles of clothing to help those in need, it just shows exactly how much this community cares for one another."

The event was so successful that the collection continued at Stockton Arena well after the Friday, November 15th when fans brought their items to the game against the Ontario Reign.

Thunder fans donated a total of over 4,443 articles of clothing to the cause and today, it was very apparent that the efforts weren't in vain. A number of people and families in need came to the Arena to collect things they needed beginning today at 9 a.m.

Despite having morning skates and preparing for today's game, forward Mathieu Gagnon, defenseman Michal Spacek, and broadcaster Brandon Kisker took some time out to help hang some coats, thank the volunteers for their time, and brighten everyone's day.

"It's important for the Thunder to be involved in this community because we are a part of this community," said Boyes. "We're only as strong as the community we live within, so when other people are down, and we can help pick them up that's what we need to do."

The boys also signed some autographs, posed for some pictures and thanked the volunteers for their time.

"As important as it is for us to get behind a cause like this, it's just as vital to have people willing to dedicate time and effort to distribute to those in need," said Kisker. "It was great to be able to take a few moments to thank the people that helped out and it's always nice to see smiles on faces when the guys take some pictures and sign some autographs."

If you are running an event in our community and would like the support of the Thunder, contact Kara Hillstead, Manager of Community Relations, at khillstead@stocktonthunder.com or call 209-373-1503.

FROZEN MOMENT OF THE WEEK :

This shot by Rachel from Storm Squad really captured the intensity that hockey players have. J.P. Burkemper is looking mighty tough and focused on the 11/24/13 game against the Steelheads. Later in that game, Burkemper would score the tying goal by redirecting a Ryan Constant shot.

FAN SHOT OF THE WEEK :

This shot taken by Asvitt Photography of Storm Squad's Seth Unger holding a little Thunder fan is so endearing it has to be seen! Nothing better than little Thunder fans!

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