Thunder Builds Off Bakersfield Sweep

December 7, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT: (all times PT)

at Alaska Aces (Friday-Saturday, 8:15 p.m., Sunday - 6:05 p.m.) - B2 Networks

Following two thrilling victories over the Pacific Division's first place Bakersfield Condors, the Stockton Thunder returns to the road this Friday for a seven-game road trip that lasts from Dec. 11-26. The road trip embarks Friday against the Alaska Aces at Sullivan Arena to begin a stretch of three games in three days. The Thunder all-time time record is 13-13-7 against the Aces while going unbeaten in regulation for the last nine games (6-0-2) against Alaska. After failing to win a game at "The Sully" for the first two seasons (stretch of six games), the Thunder has gone 5-2-1 in the last seven lifetime games at Sullivan Arena and was unbeaten in regulation for three games (2-0-1) in Anchorage last season.

1420 KSTN is the Thunder's flagship radio station 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.

PROMOTIONAL NEWS

Tuesday, Dec. 29 vs. Bakersfield Condors, 4:00 p.m.

KNIT CAP GIVEAWAY (presented by 97.7/98.3 KWIN and Comcast)

- The first 1,000 fans (ages 13 and over) will receive a free Thunder knit cap!

SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS FOR STOCKTON ARENA FAN ATTIC

The Stockton Arena "Fan Attic," the official team store of the Thunder, will open its doors for select holiday hours for that perfect hockey gift fans are searching for. The Fan Attic will be open from Noon-5:00 p.m. each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday until Dec. 23.

PREGAME, 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. Discount on drink specials are available, in addition to special live music that will entertain Thunder fans before the upcoming games.

2009-10 TEAM LEADERS:

Points - Oren Eizenman (19)

Goals - Judd Blackwater (9)

Assists - Oren Eizenman (14)

Plus/Minus -Steve Vanoosten (+3)

Penalty Minutes - Garet Hunt (82)

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Judd Blackwater is 11 games away from 100 in his professional career

o Kelly Czuy is 24 points away from 100 in his professional career

o Igor Gongalsky is 24 points away from 100 in his professional career

o Brett Hemingway is 3 points away from 100 in his pro career and 5 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

o Matt Robinson is 9 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

TEAM NOTES

- Judd Blackwater is tied for the ECHL lead with six power-play goals

- J.F. Caudron has five points (3g-2a) and two game-winning goals in overtime in his last two games

- Justin Dacosta has three assists in his first two games with Stockton

- Stockton surpassed 1,000,000 fans in all-time attendance on Friday vs. Bakersfield (5,104 at Stockton Arena)

- Stockton leads the ECHL with an average of 5,874 fans in attendance (12 home games)

- Stockton's power-play leads the ECHL at 24.8 percent (26-for-105)

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

(subject to change, all times PT)

TUE, DEC. 8:

10:00 a.m. - Practice at Oak Park Ice Arena (Stockton, Calif.)

WED, DEC. 9:

10:00 a.m. - Practice at Oak Park Ice Arena (Stockton, Calif.)

THURS, DEC. 10:

Travel Day to Anchorage, AK

FRI, DEC. 11:

Noon - Morning skate at Sullivan Arena

8:15 p.m. - GAME AT ALASKA (Sullivan Arena)

1420 KSTN/StocktonThunder.com

SAT, DEC. 12:

Noon - Morning skate at Sullivan Arena

8:15 p.m. - GAME AT ALASKA (Sullivan Arena)

1420 KSTN/StocktonThunder.com

SUN. DEC. 13:

No Morning Skate

6:05 p.m. - GAME AT ALASKA (Sullivan Arena)

1420 KSTN/StocktonThunder.com

Travel to Victoria, B.C. immediately after game

MON. DEC. 14:

Day off

WEEK IN REVIEW

STK 3 - BAK 2 (OT) (12/5/09): Right winger J.F. Caudron scored his second straight overtime goal in as many games to lift the Thunder to a two-game sweep over the Bakersfield Condors in a 3-2 overtime victory, before 5,438 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday night. The Thunder, who never trailed in the game and improved to 2-1-0 in the head-to-head series over the first place Condors, were supported by goaltender Bryan Pitton's 26 saves. Pitton's brother, Jason, scored a first period goal and Matt Robinson scored his second goal in as many games for the Thunder. Andrew Ianiero and Adam Naglich scored for the Condors.

STK 6 - BAK 5 (OT) (12/4/09): Right winger J.F. Caudron capped a four-point effort (2g-2a) with a game-winning goal just 52 seconds into sudden death overtime, lifting the Thunder to a wild, 6-5 overtime victory over the Bakersfield Condors before 5,104 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday night. Caudron and Oren Eizenman (2g-2a) had four points each to lead the Thunder in a season-high six-goal effort, while newcomers Brett Hemingway and Matt Robinson each scored in their Thunder debut. Goaltender Bryan Pitton stopped 41 shots for the win.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

(courtesy of The Record)

"These wins will give us confidence," Caudron said. "And confidence is everything in hockey."

- Right winger J.F. Caudron after the Thunder 3-2 overtime win vs. Bakersfield, The Record, 12/6/09

"I was shocked," Cuevas said. "We knew it was going to happen (on Friday), but you never expect that it's going to be you. It's fantastic."

- Season Ticket Holder Kim Cuevas after being selected as winner of the Thunder's "Millionth Fan" award, The Record, 12/5/09



ECHL Stories from December 7, 2009


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