Thunder aims for second run to Conference Finals in club history

Published on April 11, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


FIRST ROUND: Defeated Colorado, 3-0

STOCKTON VS. ALASKA - WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS (all times listed PT)

Game 1: Stockton at Alaska - Friday, April 13 - 8:15 p.m. (Sullivan Arena)

Game 2: Stockton at Alaska - Saturday, April 14 - 8:15 p.m. (Sullivan Arena)

Game 3: Alaska at Stockton - Wednesday, April 18 - 7:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 4: Alaska at Stockton - Friday, April 20 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 5: Alaska at Stockton - Saturday, April 21 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *

Game 6: Stockton at Alaska - Tuesday, April 24 - 8:15 p.m. (Sullivan Arena) *

Game 7: Stockton at Alaska - Wednesday, April 25 - 8:15 p.m. (Sullivan Arena) *

*If necessary

SERIES PREVIEW:

The fifth seeded Thunder will battle in the Western Conference Semifinal against the defending Kelly Cup champion and #1 seed Alaska Aces, a best of seven series that follows a "2-3-2" format. The matchup is the second time the Thunder and Aces will meet in the playoffs. The Thunder is making an appearance in the second round of the playoffs for the third time in four seasons and looks to advance to the Conference Final for the second time in club history (2010). Stockton last met Alaska in the playoffs back in the 2010 National Conference Quarterfinal (first round), a best of five series won by Stockton, 3-1.

Thunder road playoff games during the second round can be heard on 1360 AM KFIV. All Thunder games can also be heard live on the Internet (free-of-charge) and are available for viewing at a "pay per view" charge at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of AmericaOne. Radio broadcaster Mike Benton provides play-by-play commentary with the "Thunder Forecast" pre-game show starting 15 minutes before each broadcast.

PLAYOFF GIVEAWAYS:

For games 3-5, the first 500 adult fans (ages 18 and over) will receive a Thunder rally towel and the first 500 kids (18 and under) in attendance will receive collectible "Thunderstix," perfect for rooting the Thunder onto victory during all playoff games.

SEASON SERIES IN REVIEW:

The Thunder finished 5-5-0 against Alaska this season and won five of the last six meetings ... Alaska opened the series with a 4-1 win at Stockton on Nov. 23 behind Adam Courchaine's 41 saves ... Alaska then swept the Thunder in a three game series at Sullivan Arena from Jan. 12-14 ... Stockton turned the tables and handed the Aces a three game sweep at Stockton Arena from Jan. 27-29 and the Thunder outscored Alaska, 12-5 in the three wins, becoming the first team to sweep Alaska in a three game series in 2011-12 ... after the Thunder dropped a 4-2 loss to Alaska on Mar. 2, they came back to rout the Aces in a 4-0 win before a season high crowd of 9,398 at Stockton Arena and goaltender Olivier Roy broke a Thunder record with his fourth shutout of the season ... Stockton took the series finale in a 4-3 shootout win the next day, helping head coach Matt Thomas become the eighth coach in ECHL history to reach the 300 win plateau.

SEASON SERIES (Thunder: 5-5-0)

Wed. Nov. 23 Alaska 4 at Stockton 1

Thur. Jan. 12 Stockton 0 at Alaska 3

Fri. Jan. 13 Stockton 1 at Alaska 3

Sat. Jan. 14 Stockton 2 at Alaska 4

Fri. Jan. 27 Alaska 3 at Stockton 6

Sat. Jan. 28 Alaska 1 at Stockton 4

Sun. Jan. 29 Alaska 1 at Stockton 2

Fri. Mar. 2 Alaska 4 at Stockton 2

Sat. Mar.3 Alaska 0 at Stockton 4

Sun. Mar. 4 Alaska 3 at Stockton 4 (SO)

LAST TIME OUT - PLAYOFFS: THUNDER FLUSHES ACES

IN A NUTSHELL: The Thunder advanced to the second round for the second straight season, defeating the Alaska Aces, 3-1 in the best-of-five series in the National Conference Quarterfinals ... the Thunder became the first team in ECHL history to eliminate Alaska in the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs ... Kelly Czuy had three straight multi-point games and Oren Eizenman led the Thunder series scoring with nine assists ... Defenseman B.J. Crum scored back-to-back goals, including the game-winner with 2:51 left in regulation to snap a 3-3 tie and help the Aces rally in a third period comeback, defeating the Thunder, 4-3 in Game 1 at Wasilla, Alaska ... a four goal effort in the third period, stamping a string of three unanswered goals, helped the Stockton Thunder sink the host the Alaska Aces in a 5-2 victory in Game 2 - J.F. Caudron had the game-winning goal ... All-star center Chris D'Alvise scored two goals and added an assist, Andrew Perugini made 39 saves and the Stockton Thunder scored a playoff club record five goals in the third period, en route to a thrilling 7-4 victory over the Alaska Aces in Game 3 at Stockton Arena ... the Thunder, who took a 2-1 series lead, scored five times in a span of 6:42 in the third period ... the Thunder erased two separate two-goal deficits in the first period and scored six unanswered goals, eliminating Alaska in a 8-5 victory in Game 4 at Stockton Arena ... ten different Thunder players hit the scoresheet and Andrew Perugini made 40 saves in net.

FIRST ROUNDSERIES RECAP (Stockton defeats Colorado, 3-0):

(GAME 1) STK 3 - COL 1 (4-3-12): Goaltender Olivier Roy made 35 saves in his postseason debut and the Stockton Thunder never trailed en route to a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Eagles in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinal at Stockton Arena on Tuesday. The Thunder opened the Kelly Cup Playoffs in impressive manner, owning the shots advantage at 45-36 and scoring the first three goals of the game. Garet Hunt, Jesse Fratkin and Chris D'Alvise scored for Stockton, who improved to 5-4 lifetime in Game 1 scenarios. Colorado, who lost in their ECHL playoff debut, earned its only goal on a third period marker from Aaron Slattengren.

(GAME 2) STK 3 - COL 2 (OT) (4-4-12): Chris D'Alvise completed a come from behind rally for the Stockton Thunder with a game winning goal just 17 seconds into sudden death overtime in a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Eagles in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinal at Stockton Arena on Wednesday. The Thunder, who rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the first two minutes of the game, pushed the Eagles to the brink of elimination with a 2-0 lead in the best of five series and tied the game with under four minutes remaining in regulation on Max Campbell's second of two goals.

(GAME 3): STK 4 - COL 2 (4-6-12): Max Campbell scored two goals, including the game winner in the second period to lift the Stockton Thunder to a 4-2 victory, eliminating the Colorado Eagles in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinal before a sellout crowd of 5,289 at Budweiser Events Center. The Thunder earned a sweep for the first time in club history. Goaltender Olivier Roy stopped 28 shots en route to victory and the Thunder never trailed, earning additional offense on goals from Matt Foy and Jordan Fulton.

KELLY CUP PLAYOFF TICKET INFORMATION

Kelly Cup Playoff tickets start as low as $7 per seat and range to $28 (glass seats and club) and are available by calling (209) 373-1700 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Current Thunder Season Ticket Holders receive tickets to the first two rounds of the Kelly Cup Playoffs in their ticket package. Fans wishing to get priority seating on playoff tickets can do so by placing a deposit on Thunder Season Tickets for the 2012-13 season or by purchasing Kelly Cup Playoff ticket strips.

"FATS GRILL" ROAD GAMES: PLAYOFF WATCH PARTIES

The Thunder is hosting Kelly Cup Playoff Watch Parties from Fat's Grill and Bar, located in Stockton, for all Thunder playoff road games. Fans can enjoy the game on several television monitors which will carry playoff game coverage through AmericaOne, "the official Broadband Broadcast Provider of the ECHL." Admission is free to all fans, who can enjoy food and drink specials throughout each game night.

THUNDER FANS KEEP CROWDING OUT: OVER 200,000 AT STOCKTON ARENA: 7TH STRAIGHT YEAR

The Thunder completed the regular season third in ECHL attendance and for the seventh straight season totaled over 200,000 fans at Stockton Arena. Stockton has 17 sellouts in the team's franchise history. They welcomed 12 crowds of 7,000 or more at Stockton Arena last season and had its highest attendance since 2007-08, a six percent increase from 2009-10. This season, the Thunder welcomed 18 crowds of 6,000 or more to Stockton Arena and drew a season high 9,398 fans on Mar. 3 vs. Alaska.

2011-12 PLAYOFF LEADERS:

Points - Max Campbell (6)

Goals - Max Campbell (4)

Assists - Kevin Baker, Chris D'Alvise (3)

Plus/Minus - Nathan Deck, Tony DeHart, Chris D'Alvise (+4)

Penalty Minutes - Rob Kwiet (6)

The Thunder Season Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (209) 373-1500 or by visiting www.stocktonthunder.com. Thunder Season Ticket Holders enjoy the highest-demanded seating locations in Stockton Arena, benefits including admission to Season Ticket Holder-only events, discount opportunities on Thunder merchandise, a free e-newsletter, an exclusive gift, admission to the first two rounds of the Kelly Cup Playoffs and more.

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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