Three Games Lined Up Against RoadRunners, Condors, Falcons

Published on January 29, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS: (all times PT)

at PHOENIX ROADRUNNERS (Tuesday, January 30 * 6:11 p.m.)

The Thunder looks to snap a three-game winless streak with the final game of a four-game road trip against the Phoenix RoadRunners (ECHL Phoenix Coyotes affiliate). Stockton is 1-0-1 against Phoenix this season and will face the RoadRunners for the first time since November 7. The matchup has implications on position in the National Conference standings, as the Thunder sits in sixth place and only two points ahead of Phoenix. Stockton is unbeaten in the last four games against the RoadRunners and is 5-2-1 all-time against the RoadRunners.

vs. BAKERSFIELD CONDORS (Friday, February 2 * 7:30 p.m.)

A Friday night affair at Stockton Arena features only one of three Thunder home games in February as Stockton hosts the red-hot Bakersfield Condors. Bakersfield leads the Pacific Division with a 24-12-5 record (53 points). The Thunder is 2-0-1 this season against the Condors and won its last meeting on January 13 in a 6-1 thumping of Condors at Stockton Arena. In the season series, Thunder left wing Mike Lalonde has posted five points (3g-2a) to lead Stockton in scoring, while all-star rookie Rane Carnegie has scored three points (2g-1a) to lead the Condors.

at FRESNO FALCONS (Saturday, February 3 * 7:30 p.m.)

Two geographic rivals renew acquaintances with a Saturday night road tilt at Save Mart Center, as the Thunder aims to snap two bothersome streaks. Aimed to be broken is a five-game losing streak against Fresno, while the Thunder is in search of its first all-time win at Save Mart Center. Four of five games between the Thunder and Falcons have been decided by one goal, and it took a three-goal comeback in the third period to hike Fresno to a 4-3 win over the Thunder on January 19. Troy Bodie and Tyler Spurgeon's four points lead Stockton in scoring for the season series.

Thunder games can be heard live on the Internet (free-of-charge) and are available for viewing at a $6 "pay-per-view" charge at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks. Thunder broadcaster Mike Benton will provide play-by-play commentary with the "Thunder Forecast" pre-game show beginning at 5:55 p.m. on Tuesday, and at 7:15 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

In addition, Valley Brew Family Restaurant continues its first season as official host of the Thunder Watch Party (via B2 Networks' "Bar and Pub Network") for all road games, with prizes, broadcast-interactive contests, and more scheduled for all road games this week.

Located at 157 W. Adams Street in Stockton, Valley Brew Family Restaurant is placed in the heart of Stockton's "Miracle Mile" district and features an array of acclaimed burgers, beverages, appetizers, specialties and more, offering customers free wi-fi internet access inside the restaurant.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

FRIDAY, 2/2

o ADULT CAP NIGHT (presented by Jackson Rancheria, 104.1 The Hawk, and Comcast)

- The first 2,000 adult fans in attendance receive a free Thunder cap

o THUNDER TRADING CARD NIGHT (series 3 of 5) (presented by KHOP 95.1, In-Shape Health Clubs, and TNT Quick Connect)

- The first 2,000 fans in attendance receive a free set of five Thunder trading cards

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Tim O'Connell is 1 points shy of 100 in his ECHL career

TEAM NOTES:

o ATTENDANCE UPDATE: Stockton leads the ECHL in attendance with an average of 6,861 fans and league *high total of 137,220 fans through 20 dates

o The Thunder has never been shutout in the team's two-year history, a string of 110 consecutive games dating back to 2005-06

o Stockton is 11-4-6 vs. West Division opponents this season

o Right wing Troy Bodie ranks second among ECHL rookies with 33 points (17g-16a)

o Goaltender Devan Dubnyk ranks 8th in the ECHL with a 2.55 GAA

o Goaltender Cam Ellsworth ranks 9th in the ECHL with a 2.59 GAA

o Defenseman Tim O'Connell is tied for sixth among ECHL defensemen with nine goals

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW

Wednesday, January 24 ALASKA 4 - Stockton 3 (SO)

Joe Talbot scored a game-winning goal in the fifth round of a shootout as the Thunder settled for a 4-3 shootout loss to Alaska on Wednesday at Sullivan Arena. Tim O'Connell, Mike Lalonde and Stephen Slonina scored one goal each to lead the Thunder offense, while left wing Tim Sestito hit the goal post on a penalty shot with just 2:06 remaining in regulation. Stockton outshot Alaska 42-31, while goaltender Cam Ellsworth stopped an array of high-quality scoring chances by Alaska with 28 saves.

Friday, January 26 ALASKA 3 - Stockton 1

A goaltending duel between top-flight prospects Devan Dubnyk and Chris Beckford-Tseu went the way of the Alaska Aces as the Thunder suffered a 3-1 loss at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage. Dubnyk stopped 33 shots for the night with several point-blank saves, while Beckford-Tseu, who earned an NHL call-up last year with St. Louis, made 17 saves for Alaska. Defenseman Stephen Wood scored a second period goal for the eventual game-winner, while left wing Mike Lalonde scored a second period goal to lead the Thunder offense.

Saturday, January 27 ALASKA 2 - Stockton 1

Goaltender Devan Dubnyk locked horns with Alaska counterpart Derek Gustafson for the second goaltending duel in as many nights while Alaska's Julian Talbot scored a game-winning power-play goal in the third period, sending the Thunder to a 2-1 loss to Alaska at Sullivan Arena last Saturday. Thunder rookie Troy Bodie netted a first period power-play goal, while Dubnyk made 31 saves in net. Gustafson stopped 24 shots for Alaska including a point-blank save on Nathan Martz in the third period, shortly before Talbot's game-winner.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

(courtesy of The Record)

"He can score, and we were looking for a true center. We were in the right spot at the right time, and we needed some help with Brendon gone."

- Head Coach Chris Cichocki on the acquisition of former Central Hockey League rookie of the year Jim Dahl

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ECHL Stories from January 29, 2007


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