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Thunder faces teams in week slate with recent success in hand

March 20, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:

@ BAKERSFIELD CONDORS (Monday, 3/20 * 7 p.m PT)

The Thunder and Condors match-up for the final time this season in the Rabobank Arena slate, with the Thunder previously notching its first win in team history against the Condors with a 5-1 dumping on March 11. Stockton is unbeaten in four of six games against Bakersfield (1-2-3), while Joel Irwin, Lance Monych, Mike Lalonde and Geno Parrish have posted five points each to lead the Thunder in scoring against Bakersfield. The game concludes a lengthy eight-game road trip for Stockton.

vs. VICTORIA SALMON KINGS (Friday, 3/24 & Saturday, 3/25 * 7:30 p.m. PT)

Both games are anticipated sellouts as the Thunder and Salmon Kings meet for the first time in Stockton Arena history, which highlights the first matchup between both teams since November 12. The Thunder has taken one of three games against Victoria (1-2-0), while the Thunder's offensive efforts was headlined by Joel Irwin's four points (1g-3a) in three games. Goaltender Jeff Weber has posted a stifling .920 save percentage in two games against the Salmon Kings this season. vs. PHOENIX ROADRUNNERS (Sunday, 3/26 * 4 p.m. PT)

The Thunder and RoadRunners meet for the final time this season, as Stockton looks to build on a favorable 3-2-0 record against Phoenix this season. The last meeting resulted in Stockton's 7-1 dumping of Phoenix on March 8, as the Thunder attained single-game franchise highs in goals and largest margin of victory. Nathan Martz's six points (3g-3a) leads the Thunder in scoring against the RoadRunners. The meeting concludes a stretch of three-games in as many days for the Thunder.

All games can be heard live on the internet and are available for viewing at a $6 "pay-per-view" rate 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 Monday, 7:15 p.m. PT Friday and Saturday, and 3:45 p.m. PT on Sunday.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

FRIDAY, 3/24

o POSTER NIGHT (presented by Metro PCS) The first 2,000 kids (ages 12 and under) in attendance will receive a commemorative Thunder poster.

o FAITH NIGHT (presented by KYCC-FM) Church and religious organizations receive discount admission, with a special concert by Christian artist and "American Idol" finalist George Huff following the game, with an appearance by Thunder goaltender Jake Moreland.

SATURDAY, 3/25

o CAP NIGHT (presented by Jackson Rancheria, KHKK-FM & Comcast) First 2,000 fans in attendance receive a commemorative Thunder cap

o MASCOT NIGHT Thunder mascot "Thor" to be joined in entertainment by local-area mascots, including "Splash" (Stockton Ports) and "Powercat" (University of Pacific Tigers).

SUNDAY, 3/26

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 BE COOL* READ! DAY (presented by Dreyer's, KJOY-FM & Port of Stockton) Local Stockton-area students who meet reading goals (selected by their teachers) gain free admission to Sunday's game

Stockton Thunder Weekly Schedule: March 21-27 (subject to change; all times Pacific)

Tuesday, March 21 Day off

Wednesday, March 22 10 a.m.: Practice at Stockton Arena

Thursday, March 23 10 a.m.: Practice at Stockton Arena

Friday, March 24 10:15 a.m.: Morning skate at Stockton Arena 7:30 p.m.: Game vs. Victoria Salmon Kings (Stockton Arena)

Saturday, March 25 10:15 a.m.: Morning skate at Stockton Arena 7:30 p.m.: Game vs. Victoria Salmon Kings (Stockton Arena)

Sunday, March 26 - No morning skate - 4 p.m.: Game vs. Phoenix RoadRunners (Stockton Arena)

Monday, March 27 TBA

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Aaron Foster is 17 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

TEAM NOTES:

o Right wing Mike Lalonde is tied for first among ECHL rookies with 12 power play goals

o Thunder center Kevin Gardner has registered nine points (5g-4a) in his last nine games

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

o Thunder defenseman Dean Stork collected his 100th ECHL assist in a March 15th loss to Idaho

o Thunder center Nathan Martz picked up his 100th career ECHL point in a March 14th loss to Idaho

o The Thunder has registered a 25.5 % power play efficiency clip (13-for-51) in the last 10 games

o Stockton has won scored an average of four goals per game in the last six games

WEEK IN REVIEW

Tuesday, March 14 IDAHO 6 vs. Stockton 4

The Thunder fell short in a furious comeback attempt in a 6-4 loss to the Steelheads at Qwest Arena. Idaho exploded with four first period goals, including two by D'Arcy McConvey. Nathan Martz's power play goal put Stockton on the board in the second period, followed by third period goals from Mike Lalonde (two goals) and Kevin Gardner before Idaho's Marty Flichel sealed the game with an empty-net goal.

Wednesday, March 15 IDAHO 4 vs. Stockton 2

Three third period goals doomed the Thunder fortunes in a 4-2 loss to Idaho on Wednesday at Qwest Arena, as D'Arcy McConvey's goal and two assists and David Bararuk's three assists led the Idaho offense. Ned Havern originally put the Thunder on the board for a 1-0 lead early in the game, while Nathan Martz's third period goal capped the scoring for the Thunder. Mike Adamek scored his first professional goal for Idaho, while Marty Flichel and Dan Hacker added the additional scoring for the Steelheads.

Saturday, March 16 IDAHO 4 vs. Stockton 1

Idaho completed a five-game season series sweep of the Thunder, sending Stockton to a 4-1 loss at Qwest Arena. Steelheads goalie Steve Silverthorn stopped 24 shots and held the Thunder scoreless through two periods, before Jeff Lang's 40-foot snapshot beat Silverthorn at the third period's 3:09 mark to avert Stockton's first offensive shutout in franchise history. D'Arcy McConvey picked up a goal and an assist to lead Idaho's offense, who were challenged all night by Thunder goaltender Jeff Weber's 32 saves.

NO AVERAGE JOEL

Stockton Thunder right wing Joel Irwin was named In Glas Co ECHL Player of the Week, while goaltender Jake Moreland was named runner-up for Reebok Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week honors for the week of March 6-12, the ECHL announced last Tuesday.

Irwin, 31, tallied the Thunder's first ECHL Player of the Week honor in franchise history, helping guide Stockton to a 3-1-0 record with wins over Phoenix, Long Beach and Bakersfield in early March, including the Thunder's first three-game winning streak in club history. Irwin tallied nine points (3g-6a) in four games during the week, including three points apiece in the final three games.

A native of Kamloops, British Columbia, Irwin posted two goals and an assist in a 7-1 Thunder win over the Phoenix RoadRunners on March 8, helping set team franchise records for most goals in a game and largest margin of victory. He continued his stretch with a goal and two assists in a 5-4 Thunder shootout win at Long Beach on March 10, aiding Stockton in a three-goal comeback.

Irwin, who has also previously spent five ECHL seasons between the Richmond Renegades, Greensboro Generals and Pee Dee Pride, followed by posting three assists the next night in a 5-1 Stockton victory at Bakersfield.

Moreland, who previously spent two seasons with the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (2003-05) and made his first ECHL All-Star Game appearance this season, was in net for two of three Thunder victories during the week, excluding a 2-1 loss to the RoadRunners on March 7 where the Stockton netminder posted 40 saves. Moreland, 27, returned the next night with 30 saves in Stockton's 7-1 win over Phoenix, and wrapped up his week with 42 saves in the Thunder's 5-1 win at Bakersfield on March 11, stopping 14 shots each period.

For the week, Moreland, who has previously garnered ECHL Goaltender of the Week honors in 2005-06, posted a .965 save percentage and a 1.34 goals against average.

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