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Thunder Aiming For Higher Playoff Seeding

March 20, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT: (all times PT)

at UTAH GRIZZLIES (Thurs. * Sat, 3/22 * 3/24: all 6:05 p.m.)

After clinching its first ever Kelly Cup Playoff berth last week, the Thunder makes its only trip of the regular season to The E-Center this week, facing the Utah Grizzlies in a three-game series and marking the final time both teams are scheduled to face each other for 2006-07. The Thunder is 3-1-0 this season against Utah and 4-5-0 in the all-time series. Additionally, the Thunder has outscored Utah 15-8 in the series this season, with all-star center Nathan Martz scoring six assists in four games to lead the Thunder in series scoring. Ryan Kinasewich, who has been shelved on the 30-day injured reserve list and is not expected to play this week, leads Utah with four goals in four games.

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 5:50 p.m. on Thursday, 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, 3/30

THUNDER TRADING CARD NIGHT (presented by TNT Quik Connect, In-Shape Health Clubs and KHOP 95.1)

- The first 2,000 fans in attendance receive a set of five Thunder trading cards (#5 of 5) GROUP APPRECIATION WEEKEND

- Came out to a game this season with a group? Present your used ticket stub and receive $5 admission to this game for upper-premium or lower end-zone seats.

SATURDAY 3/31 (at BAKERSFIELD)

THUNDER TICKET EXCHANGE NIGHT

- All Thunder season ticket holders receive free admission to Rabobank Arena for the Thunder vs. Bakersfield Condors game

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Colin Pepperall is 3 points shy of 400 in his professional career and 6 games shy of 500 in his ECHL career

o Jim Dahl is 4 points shy of 100 in his professional career

TEAM NOTES:

o ATTENDANCE UPDATE: Stockton leads the ECHL in attendance with an average of 6,697 fans and league *high total of 214,386 fans through 32 dates

o Stockton is 20-10-7 in games outside of the Pacific Division

o Stockton has won six of its last seven games (6-1-0)

o Center Colin Pepperall is on a six-game scoring streak (3g-5a)

o Center Nathan Martz is tied for 4th in the ECHL with 51 assists

o Left wing Brock Radunske is on a six-game scoring streak (4g-7a)

o Goaltender Devan Dubnyk is tied for 7th in the ECHL with a .916 save percentage

o Goaltender Cam Ellsworth is eighth in the ECHL with a 2.56 goals-against-average

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW

Wednesday, March 14 IDAHO 4 - Stockton 3

Tuomas Mikkonen scored two goals to lead the Idaho Steelheads to a 4-3 decision over the Thunder on Wednesday at Stockton Arena. Stephane Goulet and Colin Pepperall led a late Thunder comeback with a two-goal third period, while veteran Tim Verbeek scored a second period power-play goal. Idaho's special teams helped their cause with a 2-for-4 effort on the power-play and scored a shorthanded goal in the third via Derek Nesbitt.

Friday, March 16 STOCKTON 3 - Idaho 2

Veteran center Colin Pepperall scored a game-winning third period goal while all-star goaltender Devan Dubnyk made 34 saves as the Thunder escaped with a 3-2 victory over the Idaho Steelheads at Stockton Arena. Tim Verbeek and Brock Radunske got the Thunder a 2-0 lead with goals in the first and second period, while Marty Flichel and B.J. Crombeen led an Idaho comeback with a goal each in the second period. All five goals in the game came on the power-play.

Saturday, March 17 STOCKTON 4 - Bakersfield 1

Thunder goaltender Cam Ellsworth made a career-high 44 saves while rookie left wing Liam Reddox scored a career-high three points (1g-2a) in a 4-1 Thunder victory over the Bakersfield Condors at Rabobank Arena. Reddox scored just 1:08 into the game, followed by Tim Verbeek's power-play marker. Tyler Liebel's second period goal for Bakersfield was countered by goals in the third by Stockton's Stephane Goulet and Beau Geisler. The Thunder kept Bakersfield blanked on eight power-play chances.

Sunday, March 18 STOCKTON 4 - Idaho 2

The Thunder clinched its first playoff berth in team history with a 4-2 victory over the Idaho Steelheads before more than 6,900 fans at Stockton Arena on Sunday. The Thunder scored three goals in a third period rally, highlighted by Tim Sestito's eventual game-winner with 2:05 left in regulation. Goaltender Devan Dubnyk made 32 saves in the winning effort while 11 different Stockton players registered a point.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

(courtesy of The Record)

"We were very confident, and it's good to be a part of something that had not happened here before. This is great for the fans. I know how much they wanted it."

- Defenseman Tim O'Connell after Sunday's 4-2 win over Idaho that clinched the Thunder's first Kelly Cup Playoff berth

"We're far from done."

- Veteran Tim Verbeek after the win, prospecting on the Thunder's goal to move to a higher playoff seed

"When I heard California, I originally thought for sure they were talking about Stockton. I was taken off guard. I was excited and nervous, but the veterans have been great to me. I'm getting my chance."

- Former Thunder defenseman Bryan Young after learning of his call-up to the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, who were scheduled to play a road game with the Anaheim Ducks



ECHL Stories from March 20, 2007


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.

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