Thunder Clinches Playoff Berth

Published on March 20, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS: (all times PT)

at Ontario Reign

Wednesday: 7:00 p.m.

Radio: 1280 AM KWSX/ StocktonThunder.com

The Stockton Thunder battles the Ontario Reign on Wednesday in the final meeting of the season at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The Thunder is 5-4-2 this season against the Reign and in the last meeting Ontario defeated Stockton, 3-1 at Stockton Arena on Feb. 15. Through 41 regular season games in the all-time series, the Thunder is 23-13-5 against Ontario. The game will be the first time the teams meet in Ontario since Dec. 4, when Stockton defeated Ontario 2-0.

vs. Bakersfield Condors

Friday and Saturday: 7:30 p.m.

Radio: 1280 AM KWSX/ StocktonThunder.com

The Stockton Thunder hosts the Bakersfield Condors for the two final meetings of the season at Stockton Arena on Friday and Saturday as the Thunder wraps up the home portion of the regular season schedule. Bakersfield defeated Stockton, 5-2 in the last meeting on Feb. 26 at Stockton Arena. The Thunder is 7-4-0 against Bakersfield this season. Immediately following Saturday's game, a team awards ceremony will be held on the ice for fans in attendance as part of "Fan Appreciation" weekend.

1280 AM KWSX is the Thunder's flagship radio station and all Thunder games can be heard live on the Internet (free-of-charge) and 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.

SEASON TICKET HOLDER ITEM OF THE WEEK

Thunder Season Ticket Holders can take advantage of the Item of the Week and take advantage of real Thunder game worn jerseys for just $200. This offer lasts through Saturday's home game against Bakersfield and is available in person at the Stockton Arena Fan Attic. In addition, all fans can take advantage of $4 off all t-shirts, $8 off sweatshirts and $15 off jerseys and jackets for "Fan Appreciation" Night on Friday and Saturday.

PROMOTIONAL NEWS

Friday, Mar. 23 vs. Bakersfield Condors, 7:30 p.m.

FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT

(presented by Jackson Rancheria, AT&T/yp.com, University Plaza Waterfront Hotel, AM 970 ESPN Radio, KAT Country 103 and 104.1 The Hawk)

- All fans in attendance will receive a free Thunder "In The NHL" alumni poster!

Saturday, Mar. 24 vs. Bakersfield Condors, 7:30 p.m.

FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT

(presented by Jackson Rancheria, AT&T/yp.com, University Plaza Waterfront Hotel, AM 970 ESPN Radio, KAT Country 103 and 104.1 The Hawk)

- All fans in attendance will receive a free Thunder "In The NHL" alumni poster and are invited to stay after the game for the annual team awards ceremony at center ice!

WEEK IN REVIEW:

STK 4 - UTA 2 (3/18/12): Chris D'Alvise buried two goals and goaltender Olivier Roy stopped 38 shots in his return from the American Hockey League to guide the Stockton Thunder (32-29-5, 67 points) to a 4-2 victory over the Utah Grizzlies before 6,016 fans at Stockton Arena on Sunday. The Thunder, who rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the first period, moved to within three points of Colorado for fourth place in the Western Conference. Jordan Fulton also chipped in with a goal and assist, Mike Little collected two assists and Matt Foy stashed a key insurance goal in the third period.

UTA 5 - STK 2 (3/17/12): Mitch Wahl, Colin Vock and Chris Donovan each collected a goal and an assist to help the Utah Grizzlies clinch a Kelly Cup Playoff berth and send the Stockton Thunder (31-29-5, 67 points) to a 5-2 defeat before 7,537 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday. The Thunder earned a pair of power play goals in the second period by Chris D'Alvise and Max Campbell, storming back from a 2-0 deficit. Utah broke the 2-2 tie late in the period on a goal by Ross Carlson and finished the game with three unanswered goals.

STK 3 - LV 1 (3/16/12): Kevin Baker scored two goals to bookend a three goal rally in a span of 3:55 and Thomas Heemskerk made 24 saves to lead the Stockton Thunder (31-28-5, 67 points) to a 3-1 victory over the Las Vegas Wranglers before a crowd of 6,017 at Stockton Arena on Friday. The Thunder, who snapped a four game losing skid and kept pace at five points behind Colorado for fourth place in the Western Conference, broke a 1-1 tie on Gabriel Levesque's eventual game winner with 8:17 left in regulation. Heemskerk broke a personal three game losing streak and the Thunder improved to 12-4-1 in the last 17 home games.

IDH 3 - STK 2 (3/14/12): Jerry Kuhn made 33 saves to backstop a three goal rally by the Idaho Steelheads, who sent the Stockton Thunder (30-28-5, 65 points) to a 3-2 defeat at Stockton Arena on Wednesday night. The Thunder, who outshot Idaho 35-21, learned after the game that they clinched a Kelly Cup Playoff berth for the sixth consecutive season after Bakersfield lost to Utah, 3-2 at Rabobank Arena. The Thunder originally built a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Chris D'Alvise and Gabriel Levesque. Derek LeBlanc netted the game winner in the second period on a power play and Kuhn stopped all 14 shots he saw in the third period.

2011-12 TEAM LEADERS:

Points - Kevin Baker (57)

Goals - Kevin Baker (27)

Assists - Matt Foy (34)

Plus/Minus - Mike Little (+19)

Penalty Minutes - Garet Hunt (240)

UPCOMING MILESTONES

- Kevin Baker is 11 goals away from 200 in his professional career

- Kevin Baker is 2 games away from 400 in his professional career

- Matt Foy is 13 goals away from 100 in his professional career

TEAM NOTES

- Chris D'Alvise has collected 13 points in the last 10 games

- Mike Little is second among ECHL rookies with a +19 rating

- Olivier Roy is third among ECHL goaltenders with a .928 save percentage

- Stockton is 17-12-3 against Pacific Division opponents this season

- Stockton ranks third in ECHL attendance with an average of 5,817 fans per game

- Stockton is 12-0-0 when leading after 2 periods at home

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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