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Thunder clouding hostile territory

January 23, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT: (all times PT)

vs. ALASKA ACES (Wednesday, Jan. 24, Friday, Jan. 26, Saturday, Jan. 27 * 8:15 p.m.)

The Thunder continues a grueling five-game series with the juggernaut Alaska Aces this week with three games at the storied Sullivan Arena in Anchorage. Although carrying a 1-6-2 all-time record against Alaska, the Thunder is 1-0-1 through the first two games of the five-game stretch and collected its first all-time win over the Aces on Sunday. Veteran defenseman Tim O'Connell has three assists to lead Stockton in scoring for the season series, while Olivier Filion and Matt Shasby have three points to lead Alaska. The Thunder is searching for its first ever win at Sullivan Arena and is 0-3-0 all-time in Anchorage.

Thunder games can be heard live on the Internet (free-of-charge) and are available for viewing at a $6 "pay-per-view" charge at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks. Thunder broadcaster Mike Benton will provide play-by-play commentary with the "Thunder Forecast" pre-game show beginning at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

In addition, Valley Brew Family Restaurant continues its first season as official host of the Thunder Watch Party (via B2 Networks' "Bar and Pub Network") for all road games, with prizes, broadcast-interactive contests, player appearances and more scheduled for all road games this week.

Located at 157 W. Adams Street in Stockton, Valley Brew Family Restaurant is placed in the heart of Stockton's "Miracle Mile" district and features an array of acclaimed burgers, beverages, appetizers, specialties and more, offering customers free wi-fi internet access inside the restaurant.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

FRIDAY, 2/2

o ADULT CAP NIGHT (presented by Jackson Rancheria, 104.1 The Hawk, and Comcast)

- The first 2,000 adult fans in attendance receive a free Thunder cap

o THUNDER TRADING CARD NIGHT (series 3 of 5) (presented by KHOP 95.1, In-Shape Health Clubs, and TNT Quick Connect)

- The first 2,000 fans in attendance receive a free set of five Thunder trading cards

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Tim O'Connell is 2 points shy of 100 in his ECHL career

o Nathan Martz is 2 assists shy of 100 in his professional career

TEAM NOTES:

o ATTENDANCE UPDATE: The Thunder leads the ECHL in attendance with 6,861 fans per game (an increase of 7.5 percent from 2005-06) and drew its second sellout of the season with 9,737 fans on January 20 vs. Alaska.

o Stockton is 11-2-5 vs. West Division opponents this season

o Left wing Tim Verbeek has scored five goals in his last five games games

o Right wing Troy Bodie ranks second among ECHL rookies with 32 points (16g-16a)

o Goaltender Devan Dubnyk is 5-1-3 in his last nine decisions and ranks 7th in the ECHL with a 2.56 GAA

o The Thunder has never been shutout in the team's two-year history, a string of 107 consecutive games dating back to 2005-06

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW

Friday, January 19 FRESNO 4 * Stockton 3

Fresno Falcons forward John Wroblewski scored with 16.4 seconds remaining in regulation to cap a three-goal third period comeback in a 4-3 Thunder loss to Fresno at Stockton Arena. The Thunder put up the first three goals of the game, including two by right wing Troy Bodie. The Thunder scored twice on the power play, once by Bodie and the other by defenseman Jason Beckett before falling to the Falcons for the fifth time this season. Thunder goaltender Devan Dubnyk, facing continuous pressure from Fresno all night, stopped 37 shots total including a second period penalty shot by Brett Hammond.

Saturday, January 20 ALASKA 3 * Stockton 2 (OT)

Alaska Aces forward Joe Talbot scored a game-winning goal at 1:24 of overtime to hand the Thunder a 3-2 loss in front of a sellout crowd of 9,737 at Stockton Arena. The overtime point the Thunder earned moved the team into fifth place in the National Conference. Defenseman Tim O'Connell registered two assists to surpass the 200th point of his professional career. Rookie Stephane Goulet scored his 10th goal of the season in the first period while Tim Sestito scored his 10th of the season in the second period. All-star goaltender Devan Dubnyk made 28 saves in net for the Thunder.

Sunday, January 21 STOCKTON 3 * Alaska 2

The Thunder held off a furious Alaska Aces comeback in a 3-2 win at Stockton Arena, giving Stockton its first all-time win against the Aces. Defenseman Jeff Lang, center Tyler Spurgeon and veteran Tim Verbeek each scored a goal for Stockton. Verbeek's second period goal was enough to give the Thunder the win, despite a desperate comeback attempt by the Aces fueled by goals from Joe Talbot and Olivier Flilion in the last four minutes of the game.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING (courtesy of The Record)

"I knew better than to get comfortable until the final horn. They are a very explosive team, and you know they can score fast. But we played great most of the day, and this was a big win."

* Head Coach Chris Cichocki after Stockton's first all-time victory over Alaska in a 3-2 win on Sunday

"I felt fine. I had no problem with (playing three straight days), and I was ready for it."

* Goaltender Devan Dubnyk after playing an intensive three games in three consecutive days

"It's always a great honor when you're asked to take a leadership position on a team."

* Defenseman Tim O'Connell after being appointed an alternate captain for the Thunder

ECHL ALL-STAR GAME RECAP Four Thunder made on-ice contributions in the 2007 Rbk Hockey ECHL All-Star Game festivities, ending with the American Conference's 6-3 win over the National Conference at Qwest Arena in Boise, Idaho.

SKILLS COMPETITION: Center Nathan Martz, right wing Troy Bodie, defenseman Beau Geisler and goaltender Devan Dubnyk participated in a range of events that had the American Conference taking a 17-8 victory in last Tuesday's Skills Competition. Geisler headlined the Thunder efforts by finishing second in the shot accuracy competition, hitting all four targets in six shots.

Goaltender Devan Dubnyk was credited with a combined 17 saves in the rapid fire competition, participating in an extra round with Las Vegas Wranglers goaltender Mike McKenna still en-route to the All-Star Game.

ALL-STAR GAME: The Thunder made their presence early and often with Martz, Geisler and Bodie collecting an assist each. Derek Nesbitt's game-tying first period goal for the National Conference was set-up by a Martz feed from center ice, who connected with Bodie at the right wing in the attacking zone. Bodie then slipped a nifty tape-to-tape pass from the wall to a cutting Nesbitt, who zoomed down the slot and beat American Conference goaltender Adam Berkhoel with a deke move to the backhand.

Geisler collected an assist on Fresno Falcons forward Luke Curtin's third period goal which spearheaded a National Conference comeback attempt. Dubnyk appeared in net for the second period and tied a game-high for both teams with 17 saves.

For the game, Bodie and Martz skated together on the same line with Nesbitt.



ECHL Stories from January 23, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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