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Thunder battles Bakersfield in a season-opening road matchup

October 18, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THUNDER OVERALL RECORD: 0-0-0 LAST WEEK: 0-0-0

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT:

@ BAKERSFIELD CONDORS (Friday, 10/20 - 7:00 p.m. PT)
As the rallying cry of the ECHL goes for 2006-07, it's "Game On!" for the Stockton Thunder, facing the Pacific Division rival Bakersfield Condors in the season opener for the 2006-07 campaign, the only game the Thunder has for the entire weekend of opening play. The Thunder went 1-3-4 in 2005-06 against the Condors and has gone undefeated in four of the last five games (1-1-3) against Bakersfield. Both teams met in an October 10 pre-season game at Rabobank Arena, a 7-2 Stockton win.

Thunder games can be heard live on the internet (free-of-charge) and are available for viewing at a $6 "pay-per-view" fare at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B-2 Networks. Thunder broadcaster Mike Benton will provide play-by-play commentary, with the pre-game show beginning 6:45 p.m. PT.

UPCOMING MILESTONES:
o Adam Huxley is one game shy of 100 in his ECHL career
o Stephen Slonina is 11 games away of 200 in his ECHL career, and 9 shy 200 in his professional career
o Tim Verbeek is 7 assists shy of 100 and 4 games shy of 300 in his professional career
o Making professional debut: Devan Dubnyk (G), Cam Abbott (LW), Chris Abbott (C), Troy Bodie (LW), Liam Reddox (LW), Tyler Spurgeon (C)

TEAM NOTES:
o Left wing Mike Lalonde led the Thunder with 29 goals in 2005-06 and led the league with 308 shots

o Four Edmonton Oilers assigned prospects grace the Thunder roster: Devan Dubnyk (G), Liam Reddox (LW), Troy Bodie (LW) and Tyler Spurgeon (C)

o Newcomer and center Brendon Hodge ranked second on the Wheeling Nailers with 68 points, 47 assists, 29 power-play points, and 20 power-play assists in 2005-06

o Goaltender Cam Ellsworth's four shutouts ranked tied for third in the ECHL in 2005-06

OPENING NIGHT ROSTER BREAKDOWN:

ASSIGNED FROM EDMONTON OILERS (4):
BODIE, Troy (LW)
DUBNYK, Devan (G)
REDDOX, Liam (LW)
SPURGEON, Tyler (C)

VETERANS (2):
O'CONNELL, Tim (D)
VERBEEK, Tim (RW)

ROOKIES (9):
ABBOTT, Cam (LW)
ABBOTT, Chris (C)
ADAMEK, Mark (D)
BODIE, Troy (LW)
DUBNYK, Devan (G)
MAIN, Eric (D)
REDDOX, Liam (LW)
REDIKER, Frank (D)
SPURGEON, Tyler (C)

2005-06 RETURNERS (3):
LALONDE, Mike (LW)
LANG, Jeff (D)
MARTZ, Nathan (C)

YOUNGEST PLAYERS:
1. DUBNYK, Devan
- turns 21 on 5/4/07
2. SPURGEON, Tyler
- turns 21 on 4/10/07
3. REDDOX, Liam
- turns 21 on 1/27/07

TALLEST PLAYERS:
1. (tied) BODIE, Troy - 6'5"
DUBNYK, Devan - 6'5"
3. (tied) four players - 6'3"
ADAMEK, Mark
HANCHUCK, Tyler
MARTZ, Nathan
O'CONNELL, Tim

PRESEASON IN REVIEW

Tuesday, October 10
STOCKTON 7 at Bakersfield 2
Edmonton Oilers prospect and rookie center Tyler Spurgeon scored a hat trick while rookie forward Cam Abbott contributed with a pair of goals, as the Stockton Thunder took a 7-2 victory over the Bakersfield Condors in Stockton's opening game of ECHL preseason play at Rabobank Arena.

Friday, October 13
STOCKTON 4 at Fresno 3
Jeff Lang's late power play goal capped off a Stockton Thunder three-goal third period rally, as the Thunder knocked off its highway-99 rival Fresno Falcons in a 4-3 preseason win at Fresno's Gateway Ice Center. All four Thunder goals came on the power play, going 4-for-16 on the man-advantage. Cam Ellsworth started the game in net for the Thunder and stopped nine shots, while Devan Dubnyk, who relieved Ellsworth in the middle of the second period, made six saves in his Stockton preseason debut as the Thunder outshot the Falcons 32-18.

Sunday, October 15
STOCKTON 3 vs. Fresno 0
Goaltenders Devan Dubnyk and Cam Ellsworth combined for a shutout on 34 saves, while center Nathan Martz pitched in with a goal and assist as the Stockton Thunder breezed to a 3-0 preseason victory over the Fresno Falcons before 2,226 at Stockton Arena. The Thunder wrapped up its perfect 3-0-0 preseason record by blanking Fresno's 12 power-play chances, while rookie defenseman Mark Adamek and veteran defenseman Tim O'Connell bookended Martz's second period marker with first and third period goals, respectively.

An ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers, The Thunder drew 228,364 fans to Stockton Arena in its inaugural season, the ECHL's best attendance mark for 2005-06.

Thunder season tickets, mini-plans, and individual tickets for the 2006-07 season are on sale now. Individual tickets can be purchased in person at Stockton Arena's Ticket Office, online at www.stocktontickets.com, or by phone at (209) 373-1700. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.stocktonthunder.com.



ECHL Stories from October 18, 2006


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