Thunder continues stretch on home ice, adds road date with Fresno

February 5, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS: (all times PT)

Vs. UTAH GRIZZLIES (Wednesday - 7:00 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN, B2 Networks

The Thunder continues the longest stretch on home ice this season (seven of eight games at Stockton Arena) with a Wednesday matchup against the Utah Grizzlies. The Thunder is 1-2-1 in the season series against the Grizzlies and is led by rookie Geoff Paukovich's three points (1g-2a) in four games for the season series. In the defensive crosshairs for the Thunder will be all-star Keith Johnson, who leads Utah with eight points (6g-2a) in four games against the Thunder.

vs. VICTORIA SALMON KINGS (Thursday - 7:00 p.m.) - B2 Networks

The Thunder plays in its second of back-to-back home games, welcoming in the West Division-leading Victoria Salmon Kings (27-11-5, 59 points). The Thunder is searching for its first win against Victoria in the season series, currently holding a record of 0-3-1 this season. All-Star forward Andy Contois has four assists to lead the Thunder in scoring for the series. Victoria goaltender Billy Thompson has allowed only four goals in two games against the Thunder and has a save percentage of .949 in the season series.

at FRESNO FALCONS (Saturday - 7:30 p.m.) - B2 Networks

The Thunder faces its closest geographical rival in the Fresno Falcons at Save Mart Center, looking for its first road win against Fresno in the club's all-time history. The Thunder is 2-2-0 in the season series and is led by Andy Contois' six points (4g-2a) in the four-game head-to-head set. The Thunder last dropped a 5-2 loss to Fresno at Save Mart Center on January 27 and is 0-8-1 all time in Fresno.

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 $6 "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.

In addition, Valley Brew Family Restaurant is in its second season as official host of the Thunder Watch Party (via B2 Networks' "Bar and Pub Network") for all road games, featuring prizes and broadcast-interactive contests for all fans in attendance.

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.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Tuesday, January 29 - (Idaho 4 - Stockton 1)

Veteran Marty Flichel scored a goal and added two assists for the Idaho Steelheads, who scored two power-play goals to send the Thunder to a 4-1 loss before a crowd of 3,322 at Qwest Arena on Tuesday night. The Thunder, who got its only goal on a third period power-play goal from Ryan MacMurchy, dropped its first regular season game in Boise since November 2006 and had its four-game winning streak against Idaho snapped.

Wednesday, January 30 - (Idaho 6 - Stockton 2)

John Lammers and Greg Rallo scored two goals each to help the Idaho Steelheads send the Thunder) to a 6-2 loss before 3,858 at Qwest Arena on Wednesday night. The Thunder dropped its fourth loss in a row and fell to 9-9-3 in the all-time series against the Steelheads. Thunder all-star right wing Ryan MacMurchy scored his 15th goal of the year just 25 seconds into the game while center Brandon Schwartz added a goal and an assist for his fifth multi-point game of the season.

Friday, February 1 - (Stockton 4 - Bakersfield 0)

Goaltender Tim Boron stopped 25 shots for his third career shutout, a new Thunder single season record, to lift the Thunder to a 4-0 win over the Bakersfield Condors before 5,517 at Stockton Arena on Friday night. The Thunder snapped a four-game losing streak and picked up its first win in the post all-star break schedule, led by Brandon Schwartz's goal and assist for his second straight multi-point game, added by a third period scrap with Condor forward Evan Kotsopolous. Geoff Paukovich, Ryan MacMurchy and Tim Verbeek also scored for the Thunder.

Saturday, February 2 - (Bakersfield 3 - Stockton 2, OT)

Goaltender Tim Boron stopped 25 shots for his third career shutout, a new Thunder single season record, to lift the Thunder to a 4-0 win over the Bakersfield Condors before 5,517 at Stockton Arena on Friday night. The Thunder snapped a four-game losing streak and picked up its first win in the post all-star break schedule, led by Brandon Schwartz's goal and assist for his second straight multi-point game, added by a third period scrap with Condor forward Evan Kotsopolous. Geoff Paukovich, Ryan MacMurchy and Tim Verbeek also scored for the Thunder.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

THURSDAY, 2/7 vs. Victoria Salmon Kings

- Never A Wasted Ticket Night

Season ticket holders can redeem old tickets for a ticket of the same or lesser value for this game (subject to availability).

WEDNESDAY, 2/13 vs. Las Vegas Wranglers

- I Am Here! Night (presented by Food 4 Less, Zamora Automotive Group and 97.7/98.3 KWIN)

Local-area students (at participating schools) who meet attendance goals receive free tickets to tonight's game!

SATURDAY, 2/16 vs. Alaska Aces

- Thunder Replica Jersey night (presented by News10, Pepsi, KB Home and KAT Country 103)

The first 2,000 kids (ages 12 and under) in attendance receive a commemorative Thunder jersey, just like what the players wear on the ice!

SUNDAY, 2/17 vs. Alaska Aces

- Zooperstars! (presented by Comcast)

The zany antics of the Zooperstars! mascots return to Stockton Arena

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Spencer Carbery is 6 games away from 100 in his professional career

o Andy Contois is 15 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

TEAM NOTES:

o Ryan MacMurchy led the Thunder with 14 points (8g-6a) and a +9 rating through 11 games in the month of January

o Rookie goaltender Tim Boron is seventh in the ECHL with a .923 save percentage

o Brandon Schwartz has scored five points (2g-3a) in his last three games

o Stockton leads the ECHL in attendance with 141,642 fans (6,745 average)

o Stockton is tied for the National Conference lead in overtime winning percentage (.833)

o Stockton is 12-2-0 when leading after 2 periods

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

(courtesy of The Record)

"(Thunder radio color commentator) Derek (Eisler) recommended Jason, and I like what I know about him. He's a pit bull type of player. I know I'm acquiring a guy who isn't afraid to fight."

- Head Coach Chris Cichocki on the trade for right wing Jason Beeman from the Texas Wildcatters

"This was the epitome of the team win, and it was fantastic. It was impressive. Everyone committed to playing defense, and (goaltender) Tim (Boron) made some great saves."

- Cichocki after the Thunder's 4-0 win against the Bakersfield Condors last Friday I learned from my parents and coaches that you play for the logo on the front of the jersey, not the name on the back. That's how I've always approached the game."

- Defenseman Brian Lee on his approach to the game of hockey



ECHL Stories from February 5, 2008


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.

OurSports Central