Thunder continues eight-game homestand with Gulls and Bombers

Published on February 27, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:

VS. SAN DIEGO GULLS (Tuesday, 2/28 - 7 p.m. PT)
The Thunder looks to snap a season-long 14-game winless skid against the Gulls (ECHL Colorado Avalanche affiliate), who took the last meeting with Stockton on Sunday with a 5-2 Thunder loss. The Thunder, who is 2-2-0 this season against the Gulls, is led in scoring by Nathan Martz's seven points (2g-5a) in four games against San Diego. Steve Hildenbrand (2g-3a) and Jesse Bennefield (1g-4a) lead the Gulls in scoring against the Thunder with five points in four games.

VS. DAYTON BOMBERS (Saturday, 3/4 - 7:30 p.m. PT) (Sunday, 3/5 - 4 p.m. PT)
The Thunder and Dayton Bombers (ECHL Columbus Blue Jackets affiliate) meet for the third time this season and for the first time at Stockton Arena in Thunder history. Both teams split two meetings at the Nutter Center in November, with Joel Irwin headlining the Thunder scoring in the series with four points (1g-3a) in two games. If goaltender Jeff Weber garners a start, he would be looking for his first win since November 20, also collected against the Bombers.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

SATURDAY, 3/4
o BACKPACK NIGHT (Presented by Pepsi, KWIN-FM, The Record & News10)
The first 2,000 kids (ages 12 and under) in attendance will receive a special commemorative backpack, while $5 child admission coupons to the game are available via Pepsi product displays in local Food 4 Less, Albertson's, Rancho San Miguel, Centro Mart and S-Mart/Save Mart grocery stores.

SUNDAY, 3/5
o POSTER DAY
The first 2,500 kids (ages 12 and under) in attendance will receive a special commemorative Thunder player poster.
o FAMILY DAY (presented by Alpine Meats, Clearwire, & KJOY-FM)
Four upper premium/end zone tickets, two hot dogs and two hockey pucks are available in a package for $34. Vouchers validating a Family Day purchase can be picked up at over 300 participating Central Valley grocery stores.
o I AM HERE! DAY (presented by The Record, Food 4 Less, Dameron Hospital, Clearwire & Zamora Automotive Group)
Local Stockton-area students who meet attendance goals (selected by their school) for the recent school period receive free admission for Sunday's game.

All 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 Tuesday, 7:15 p.m. PT Saturday, and 3:45 p.m. PT Sunday.

UPCOMING MILESTONES:
o Dean Stork is four assists away from 100 in his ECHL career
o Nathan Martz is 11 points away from 100 in his ECHL career
o Aaron Foster is 18 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

TEAM NOTES:
o Right wing Lance Monych is on a five-game point-scoring streak and has scored six points (4g-2a) in that span

o The "3M Line" of Mike Lalonde, Nathan Martz and Lance Monych has combined for nine points (4g-5a) in the last three games

o Left wing Mike Lalonde is ranked second among ECHL rookies with 11 power play goals

o The Thunder has drawn crowds of 8,000 or more seven times this season at Stockton Arena (includes four sellouts)

o Right wing Joel Irwin leads the Thunder in scoring for February with 14 points (7a-7a)

WEEK IN REVIEW

Wednesday, February 22
BAKERSFIELD 5 vs. Stockton 4 (OT)
The Thunder built a three-goal lead before succumbing to a Bakersfield comeback, in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Condors at Stockton Arena on Wednesday night. The Thunder actually stared at a chance of going away empty-handed in the contest until Aaron Foster tied the game on a scramble in the crease with 1.1 seconds left and goaltender Jake Moreland pulled for an extra skater. Aaron MacInnis, Lance Monych and Mike Lalonde added goals for the Thunder, while Brad Mehalko collected the winner 1:46 into overtime for Bakersfield.

Saturday, February 25
BAKERSFIELD 3 vs. Stockton 2 (OT)
For the second consecutive game, the Thunder yielded to a Bakersfield comeback in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Condors at Stockton Arena. Lance Monych and Mike Lalonde posted second period power-play goals for Stockton, before Bakersfield tied the game with a second period marker by Mathieu Brunelle and Mike Hofstrand's third period goal with less than four minutes left in regulation. Thunder goaltender Jake Moreland highlighted the Thunder's defensive efforts with 46 saves, while Bakersfield's Kevin Truelson was credited with the game-winning goal 2:40 into the extra session.

Sunday, February 26
SAN DIEGO 5 vs. Stockton 2
San Diego's line of Mark Wires, Jesse Bennefield and Steve Hildenbrand combined for 12 total points to send the Thunder to a 5-2 loss at Stockton Arena on Sunday. Hildenbrand collected two goals in the second period, while Joel Irwin and Aaron MacInnis propelled Stockton's offense with a goal each. Tyler Weiman made 34 saves for San Diego, fresh off a re-assignment from the Lowell Lock Monsters of the American Hockey League. Jeff Weber stopped 25 shots for the Thunder in his first appearance in a week.

Thunder season tickets, individual tickets, and mini packages 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.

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