Thunder Draw Over 22,000 Fans Last Weekend

Published on March 28, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK ‚¬â„¢S OPPONENT: (all times PT)

vs. Las Vegas Wranglers

HOME: Wednesday (7:00 p.m.) -- AWAY: Friday, Saturday (7:05 p.m.)

TV: Comcast Hometown Network (Wednesday)

Radio: 1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com

The Thunder and the Las Vegas Wranglers will meet for the final three times this season, also concluding the regular season in pursuit of first place in the Pacific Division. The Thunder enter the week one point out of the top spot and are chasing their first division title. Through the lifetime series, the Thunder is 10-24-2 against the Wranglers and is 0-3-1 in the head-to-head series this season. The last time both teams met, Stockton was defeated by Las Vegas, 6-2 at Stockton Arena on Feb. 1. The Thunder is 4-0-3 in the last seven games.

The Thunder and Fat's Grill and Bar have partnered for this season for ‚¬Å“Thunder Watch Party ‚¬Â nights (shown through AmericaOne) during all Thunder road games. Fans attending will have an opportunity to win prizes, enjoy drink specials and participate in a festive atmosphere while cheering on the Thunder. It is located at 4555 North Pershing Avenue in Stockton and just minutes away from Stockton Arena. Fat's Grill and Bar is a three-time ‚¬Å“Best of San Joaquin ‚¬Â Award winner in The Record and features 15 television monitors and four satellite dishes, an array of acclaimed entrees, pizzas, beverages, appetizers, specialties and more.

PROMOTIONAL NEWS AND APPEARANCES

Tuesday, March 29, 5:00 p.m.

SEASON TICKET HOLDER BARBEQUE ‚¬" Oak Park Ice Arena (outdoor complex)

Wednesday, March 30 vs. Victoria Salmon Kings, 7:00 p.m.

FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT Presented by: Syngenta, AT&T/yp.com, 104 .1 The Hawk, KAT Country 103

- The Thunder salute their loyal fans for two games by offering merchandise specials, Thunder and San Jose Sharks merchandise raffles, and more!

FAMILY NIGHT Presented by: KJOY 98.3

- 4 Tickets, 4 Hot Dogs, 4 Soft Drinks $4 Merchandise Coupon, For Only $34! Purchase your package by calling 209-373-1500

TEAM LEADERS:

Points ‚¬" Chris Lawrence (54)

Goals ‚¬" Chris Lawrence (22)

Assists ‚¬" Chris Lawrence (32)

Plus/Minus ‚¬" Chris Lawrence (+19)

Penalty Minutes ‚¬" Garet Hunt (224) ‚¬" Leads ECHL

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

* Fraser Clair is 8 games away from 300 in his ECHL career

* Kelly Czuy is 1 point away from 100 in his ECHL career

* Jim McKenzie is 5 points away from 100 in his professional career

TEAM NOTES

· Steve Vanoosten has seven points (2g-5a) and a +10 rating in the last three games

· Jordan Foreman collected his first career hat trick and an ECHL career-high four points (1g-3a) on Sunday

· Garet Hunt leads ECHL with 222 penalty minutes

- Stockton is second in the ECHL in attendance with 224,363 fans (6,410 average)

- Stockton tied a home club record with eight goals on Sunday vs. Victoria

- Stockton needs one more road victory to break a club record of 17 (2006-07)

-

The team ‚¬â„¢s upcoming schedule for the coming week is as follows:

(subject to change, all times PT)

Tuesday, MAR. 29

10:00 a.m. ‚¬" Optional skate at Oak Park Ice Arena

Wednesday, MAR. 30

10:00 a.m. ‚¬" Morning skate at Oak Park Ice Arena

5:30 p.m. ‚¬" Pre-game media access ends

7:00 p.m. ‚¬" GAME vs. LAS VEGAS

Comcast-HN/1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com

Thursday, MAR. 31

Travel day to Las Vegas

Friday, APR. 1

11:00 a.m. ‚¬" Morning skate at Orleans Arena

7:00 p.m. ‚¬" GAME at LAS VEGAS

1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com

Saturday, APR. 2

10:00 a.m. ‚¬" Morning skate at Stockton Arena

7:00 p.m. ‚¬" GAME at LAS VEGAS

Comcast-HN/1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com

Sunday, APR. 3

TBD

Monday, APR. 4

TBD

WEEK IN REVIEW

STK 8 ‚¬" VIC 4 (3/27/11): Jordan Foreman earned his first hat trick of the season and a career-high four points (3g-1a) as the Stockton Thunder (35-22-12, 82 points) demolished the Victoria Salmon Kings in an 8-4 victory before a home crowd of 7,974 fans at Stockton Arena on Sunday. The Thunder, who improved to 4-0-3 in the last seven games and closed the gap to one point behind first place Bakersfield, tied a franchise record for most goals in a home game and also received a career-high four points (1g-3a) from Steve Vanoosten receiving four points (1g-3a) while Jarrett Konkle picked up three points of his own (1g-2a) in his return to the lineup to replace an injured Fraser Clair. Goaltender Tyson Sexsmith made 18 saves, supported by an offense that erased a 3-0 deficit in the first period and scored eight of the game ‚¬â„¢s last nine goals.

VIC 4 ‚¬" STK 3 (SO) (3/26/11): Matt Stefanishion ‚¬â„¢s shootout goal in the sixth round helped the Victoria Salmon Kings escape a wild third period rally by the Stockton Thunder (34-22-12, 80 points) in a 4-3 shootout win before 8,923 fans on Saturday night at Stockton Arena. Just one night after Victoria rallied from a 6-3 deficit in the third period, the Thunder turned the tables with three goals in the final 25 minutes, including a pair in the third period to move to 4-0-2 in the last six games. Bretton Cameron ‚¬â„¢s goal in the second period got the Thunder on the scoreboard, while last-minute goals in the third by both Jordan Fulton and Johan Motin put Stockton back into the game. The Thunder dropped its magic number to 2 for a clinch of home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

VIC 7 ‚¬" STK 6 (SO) (3/25/11): Chad Painchaud capped off a five-point game (1g-4a) with a shootout goal in the fifth round, completing a wild comeback by the Victoria Salmon Kings to edge the Stockton Thunder (34-22-10, 78 points) in a shootout, 7-6, before a crowd of 5,830 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday night. Victoria clinched the final playoff spot in the Western Conference and the Thunder received some help. Losses by Utah and Idaho whittled the magic number to 3 to clinch home ice advantage in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Chris Lawrence led the Thunder offense with a four point game (1g-3a).

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

(Courtesy of The Record)

"It certainly didn't start out the way we wanted it to," Thunder coach Matt Thomas said. "I like how the guys battled back. It showed character again and we got the job done. We battled back from some serious deficits (this weekend) to get points and win a hockey game, and I think this is something that will give us a serious push in the right direction."

- Head coach Matt Thomas after the Thunder defeated Victoria, 8-4 on Sunday (Mar. 28, 2011)

"I think we just got focused," Bendfeld said. "We regrouped, made simple plays and went at them."

- Defenseman Jordan Bendfeld after the Thunder defeated Victoria, 8-4 on Sunday (Mar. 21, 2011)

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ECHL Stories from March 28, 2011


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