Thunder, Alaska Open Kelly Cup Playoffs Tonight

Published on April 5, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


FIRST ROUND OPPONENT: (all times PT)

vs. Alaska Aces (National Conference Quarterfinal - best of 5)

The sixth-seeded Thunder will open the National Conference Quarterfinals against the third-seeded Alaska Aces (first time facing the Aces in the playoffs), a best-of-five series that follows a "2-3" format. The matchup opens 45 minutes away from Anchorage at the Menard Memorial Sports Center. The series features four players with NHL playing experience (Colin Hemingway, St. Louis Blues, Bryan Young, Edmonton Oilers, Eric Boguniecki, St. Louis, Florida, Pittsburgh, NY Islanders and Jason Ryznar, New Jersey Devils). It marks the Thunder's fourth straight playoff appearance and four in five seasons since joining the ECHL. The Aces are making their seventh straight playoff appearance and are the defending National Conference champions. The Thunder finished 5-1-4 against the Aces this season and 3-1-1 in Anchorage this year.

STOCKTON VS. ALASKA - NATIONAL CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS

Game 1: Stockton at Alaska - Monday, April 5 - 8:30 p.m. (Menard Memorial Sports Center)

Game 2: Stockton at Alaska - Tuesday, April 6 - 8:30 p.m. (Menard Memorial Sports Center)

Game 3: Alaska at Stockton - Friday, April 9 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena)

Game 4: Alaska at Stockton - Saturday, April 10 - 7:30 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *

Game 5: Alaska at Stockton - Monday, April 12 - 7:00 p.m. (Stockton Arena) *

* If necessary

1280 AM KWSX is the Thunder's flagship radio station on the road this year and all Thunder games can be heard live on the Internet (free-of-charge) and are available for viewing at a $7 "pay-per-view" charge at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks. Radio broadcaster Mike Benton provides play-by-play commentary with the "Thunder Forecast" pre-game show starting 15 minutes before each broadcast.

"KING'S ROOM" HOME GAMES: PREGAME AND POSTGAME PARTIES FEATURING LIVE MUSIC

Back by popular demand, the Stockton Thunder is hosting pregame and postgame parties inside the new "Kings Room" of Stockton Arena, open before each home game and after each Friday and Saturday home game. A great gathering place for Thunder fans to rally before the game or celebrate a win after, enjoy drink specials along with live music throughout the evening! For more information, call the Thunder at (209) 373-1500.

"KING'S ROOM" ROAD GAMES: PLAYOFF WATCH PARTIES

The Thunder is hosting Kelly Cup Playoff Watch Parties from the "King's Room" of Stockton Arena for all Thunder playoff road games as available. Fans can enjoy the game on several television monitors which will carry playoff game coverage through B2 Networks, "the official Broadband Broadcast Provider of the ECHL." Admission to Playoff Watch Parties are $5 for the general public ($3 for full Thunder Season Ticket Holders). Doors located at the North Entry of Stockton Arena, will open to all fans 30 minutes prior to puck drop. Throughout each game, fans can enjoy discounts on food and beverages.

KELLY CUP PLAYOFF TICKET INFORMATION

Kelly Cup Playoff tickets are now available in person at the Stockton Arena Alpine Meats ticket office, by phone at (209) 373-1700 or online at www.StocktonTickets.com, start as low as $9 per seat and range to $28 (Comcast Club). 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 new Thunder Season Tickets for the 2010-11 season. Round-by-round ticket packages for the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs are now on sale and can be purchased by calling the Stockton Thunder at (209) 373-1500.

THUNDER FANS KEEP CROWDING OUT: OVER 6,000 AVERAGE, FIFTH STRAIGHT YEAR

The Thunder completed the regular season third in the ECHL in attendance with an average of 6,031 fans per game, marking the fifth straight season that an average of over 6,000 fans have crossed the Stockton Arena turnstiles. On Jan. 30, the Thunder drew 9,158 fans to Stockton Arena against Victoria, the second largest home crowd this year. The Thunder led the ECHL in attendance last year with an average of 6,218 fans through 36 home games. Stockton has 14 sellouts in the team's franchise history and drew a standing room only crowd of 9,392 on Nov. 8 vs. Alaska. Last year, the Thunder became the first team since 2004-05 to lead the ECHL in attendance for four straight seasons (Florida led the ECHL in attendance for five straight seasons - 2000-2005).

2009-10 TEAM LEADERS:

Points - James Bates (73)

Goals - Chris D'Alvise (34)

Assists - James Bates (46)

Plus/Minus - James Bates (+18)

Penalty Minutes - Garet Hunt (215)

TEAM NOTES

- Matt Robinson scored a career-high 31 goals this season

- Chris D'Alvise led the Thunder and finished second among ECHL rookies with 34 goals

- James Bates tied the Thunder single-season scoring record (Ryan Huddy, 2008-09) with 73 points (27g-46a)

- Stockton ranked third in the ECHL with an average of 6,006 fans in attendance (35 home games)

- Stockton's power-play on the road ranked second in the ECHL at 23.7 percent (40-for-169)

- Matt Robinson (31 goals) and Chris D'Alvise (34 goals) are the first pair of 30-goal scorers in Thunder history

The team's upcoming schedule for the coming week is as follows:

(subject to change, all times PT)

TUE. APR. 6:

12:15 p.m. - Morning skate at Menard Memorial Sports Center (Wasilla, AK)

8:15 p.m. - GAME 2 AT ALASKA

1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com

WED, APR. 7:

Travel day to Stockton, Calif.

THURS, APR. 8:

10:00 a.m. - Practice at Stockton Arena

FRI. APR. 9:

10:00 a.m. - Morning skate at Stockton Arena

6:00 p.m. - Pre-game media access ends

7:30 p.m. - GAME 3 VS. ALASKA - presented by: Financial Center Credit Union, Food 4 Less/Rancho San Miguel and Jackson Rancheria Hotel & Casino

StocktonThunder.com

SAT. APR. 10: (if game 4 necessary)

10:00 a.m. - Morning skate at Stockton Arena

6:00 p.m. - Pre-game media access ends

7:30 p.m. - GAME 4 VS. ALASKA - presented by: Financial Center Credit Union, Food 4 Less/Rancho San Miguel and Jackson Rancheria Hotel & Casino

StocktonThunder.com

SUN. APR. 11:

To be determined

MON. APR. 12: (if game 5 necessary)

10:00 a.m. - Morning skate at Stockton Arena

6:00 p.m. - Pre-game media access ends

7:30 p.m. - GAME 5 VS. ALASKA - presented by: Financial Center Credit Union, Food 4 Less/Rancho San Miguel and Jackson Rancheria Hotel & Casino

StocktonThunder.com

SEASON SERIES: STOCKTON VS. ALASKA

The Thunder was 5-1-4 this season against Alaska, going undefeated in regulation in four of five games at Sullivan Arena. Alaska won the first two games of the series at Stockton Arena in the extra stages, but the Thunder responded by becoming the second team in ECHL history (joining Las Vegas, 2006-07) to sweep the Aces at Sullivan Arena in a three-game series (Dec. 11-13). Stockton took five of six points in the next three games at home, Jan. 22-23 and Jan. 31, including a Jan. 22 contest that featured the locker room swap of Colin Hemingway to the Thunder and Judd Blackwater to Alaska, both exchanged in a trade one day earlier. Both playoff-bound teams met again at Sullivan Arena on Apr. 2-3, a two-game series swept by Alaska. James Bates led the Thunder with 11 points (2g-9a) in nine games in the series.

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