Thunder finishes successful home-opening weekend, sets for Wranglers

December 12, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT:

Friday, December 16: vs. Las Vegas Wranglers, 7:30pm (PT) and Saturday, December 17 vs. Las Vegas Wranglers, 7:30pm (PT) - After completing a magical weekend which centered around the opening of Stockton Arena for sports contests, the Thunder resets after a bulk of off-days for the Las Vegas Wranglers, an ECHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames. Both teams met on November 25 at Orleans Arena, in a 3-2 Thunder loss. Todd Alexander pumped in two goals for the Wranglers, while Aaron Foster and Mike Lalonde scored a goal each for Stockton.

Dan Tudin (9g-9a) leads Las Vegas in scoring with 18 points. Derek Edwardson (9g-8a), the leading scorer for last season's Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies squad, has posted 17 points.

Friday's contest is headlined by a Thunder team photo giveaway, presented by Guaranty Bank. Saturday's game is highlighted by the Thunder's "Coats For Kids" special (presented by News10, KB Home and AAA), where all fans receive a free ticket voucher to Saturday night's game when bringing a children's coat.

Both 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 at 7:15pm (PT) on Friday and Saturday.

STOCKTON THUNDER SCHEDULE: December 12-18 (All times pacific, subject to change)

Monday, December 12 Day Off

Tuesday, December 13 10am: Practice at Stockton Arena

Wednesday, December 14 10am: Practice at Oak Park Rink

Thursday, December 15 6pm: Practice at Stockton Arena Friday, December 16 10am: Morning skate at Stockton Arena 7:30pm: Game vs. Las Vegas Wranglers (Stockton Arena)

Saturday, December 17 10am: Morning skate at Stockton Arena 7:30pm: Game vs. Las Vegas Wranglers (Stockton Arena)

Sunday, December 18 Day Off

UPCOMING MILESTONES:
- Joel Irwin is two goals away from 100, and one game away from 300 in his ECHL career

WEEK IN REVIEW

Friday, December 9 BAKERSFIELD 3 vs. STOCKTON 2 (SO)

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Thunder broke a four-game regulation losing streak in a 3-2 shootout setback to the Bakersfield Condors, in the final game of a monstrous 15-game road trip. Aaron Foster and Steve Slonina contributed with both Stockton goals, while goaltender Jake Moreland made a season-high 46 saves. Foster's goal put the Thunder up 2-1, before Bakersfield rallied with a Kevin Truelson goal under 1:30 left, and snagged the game in the shootout from a Sean Venedam goal.

Saturday, December 10 STOCKTON 4 vs. PHOENIX 0

STOCKTON, Calif. - The Thunder emerged victorious in the first-ever sporting event held inside Stockton Arena, treating a sellout crowd of 10,117 to a 4-0 win over the Phoenix RoadRunners. Jake Moreland recorded 22 saves in net for the Thunder, posting the Thunder's first shutout win in Stockton history. Steve Slonina paced the Thunder offense with two goals on the evening, including a shorthanded goal. Maris Ziedins picked up two assists. Mike Lalonde tallied the first goal in Arena history at the first period's 7:51 mark, while Tony Johnson added a goal.

Sunday, December 11 PHOENIX 4 vs. STOCKTON 3

STOCKTON, Calif. - Three power play goals for the Thunder, including two by Mike Lalonde, fell short in a spirited comeback, part of a 4-3 loss to the Phoenix RoadRunners in a Sunday afternoon matinee. Lalonde put Stockton ahead 1-0 with a power play marker in the first period, before Phoenix struck back with three unanswered goals by J.F. Soucy, Peter Trovato, and Jake Riddle. The Thunder erased the two-goal deficit with third period power play goals from Nathan Martz and Lalonde, before Dean Tiltgen scored Phoenix's game-winner with 3:41 left.

BATHE IS BACK, ZIEDINS TO EUROPE

Before the Thunder's 3-2 shootout loss to Bakersfield last Friday, the Thunder activated left wing Landon Bathe off the seven-day injured reserve list and placed forward Dominic Soucy on the seven-day injured reserve list.

The Thunder also announced that forward Maris Ziedins has been selected to participate in a pre-Olympic tournament for the Latvian national team. Ziedins will be away from the Thunder for a two-week duration, rejoining the team for Stockton's December 26 game against the Fresno Falcons.

WEEK IN REVIEW NOTES:
- Center Nathan Martz has recorded eight points (2g-6a) in his last eight games
- Goaltender Jake Moreland recorded the first shutout in Thunder history last Saturday, in a 4-0 win over Phoenix (Stockton Arena home opener)
- Stockton has scored a power play goal each in its first 17 games, going 3-for-11 in its last game, a 4-3 loss to Phoenix on Sunday
- The Thunder is 19-for-20 in the last three games on the penalty kill (.950)
- The Thunder has gained four of its five wins outside of divisional play



ECHL Stories from December 12, 2005


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