Thunder Game Preview: Thunder Host Reign in Top of Division Clash

Published on November 15, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


Stockton Thunder (@StocktonThunder), proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's New York Islanders and AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers is back at Stockton Arena tonight to take on the Pacific Division leading Ontario Reign.

Fans can watch and listen live online. Streaming video is available to fans through AmericaONE and live audio of the game is available through StocktonThunder.com or on Spreaker.com.

The Thunder continues one of its busiest stretches of the season as it hits the halfway mark in its November schedule, playing game eight of sixteen. This is the second meeting between the Thunder and Ontario this season as the Reign came from behind for a 4-2 win on October 23rd, giving the Thunder its first loss of the season.

That match-up saw the Thunder get out to a 2-0 lead only for it evaporate after Ontario scored four unanswered goals including an empty netter to seal the 4-2 win. Yasin Cisse was able to deflect the game winner past Thunder goaltender Parker Milner, who made his pro hockey and Thunder debut. The former NCAA National Champion stopped 23 of 26 shots in the loss.

The Thunder are coming off of a dominating 6-2 performance in Bakersfield on Thursday, and while they are playing on back-to-back days, the team will get a little more rest than usual as yesterday's opening draw was a 10:30 a.m. start.

Andrew Clark, James Henry, Joey Martin, Ryan Constant, and J.P. Burkemper all had two points in the win over the Condors. Clark and Henry had two goals apiece while Burkemper, making his pro hockey debut, had a goal and an assist. Brayden Irwin also added a goal in his first game back since being returned to the Thunder by the AHL's Utica Comets. Irwin has posted a point-per-game average in his three games played with the Thunder this year as he has 2 goals and 1 assist.

With his offensive explosion yesterday, Clark now passes Ryan Hayes for the team lead in goals with 5. Hayes still has a team best 9 assists and 13 points.

Brian Foster got his third start against the Condors and it was more of the usual from the steady goaltender. Foster stopped 28 of 30 shots and improved to 6-0-0-0 on the season. Foster ranks third among goalies with a 1.66 goals against average behind only Alaska's Joni Ortio and Colorado's Marc Cheverie, however Foster has played in more games than both.

The Thunder has added two new players from their AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers who join the team ahead of tonight's matchup. Forward Jason Clark, an Islanders 3rd round draft selection in 2010, spent two years at the University of Wisconsin before signing an entry-level contract with the Islanders in 2012-13. Clark has posted 1 assist in 11 games with the Sound Tigers this season.

The other new face assigned to the Thunder is Greg Miller. Miller graduated from Cornell University having posted a point-per-game average during his senior season (33 points). Miller has appeared in 9 games for the Sound Tigers this season and is still looking for his first professional point.

The Reign is led offensively by Dan DaSilva, the third leading scorer in the ECHL. DaSilva has 18 points on the season which puts him behind only Alaska's Peter Sivak and Forida's Matthew Pistilli. The right winger has posted 4 goals and 14 assists. The only player on the Reign roster with more goals than DaSilva is Mario Lamoureux who has 5.

The Reign currently leads the Pacific Division with 16 points from 11 games while the Thunder are hot on their heels with 14 points in 10 games. With a regulation win tonight, the Thunder could take hold of the top spot due to tiebreakers. The Thunder is 7-3-0-0 while the Reign is 6-1-1-3.

Following the game against the Thunder, the team will host the Bakersfield Condors on Sunday as part of Family Day at the arena. Purchase your Thunder Pride Pack online and get four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas, and a Thunder hat for just $38. Another Family Day occurs Wednesday night when the Thunder host the San Francisco Bulls for the second time on the season. Then the Thunder open up a three games in three nights set with the Utah Grizzlies coming in town on Friday and the Idaho Steelheads coming to Stockton for Saturday and Sunday games.

All three games will be a part of "Share Your Thanksgiving" which asks fans to donate canned food to help benefit the Emergency Food Bank and Family Services of Stockton/San Joaquin. For each can of food you donate, you get $1 off your ticket price (minimum ticket price is $7 and this promotion excludes glass, club, and suite seating locations). Season ticket holders will be receive one entry into a raffle for each can with the winner getting the opportunity to enjoy a suite for an upcoming Thunder home game.

Notes:

-Sean Escobedo received the call up from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers today. He'll join the team ahead of their game tonight with the Springfield Falcons.

-The Thunder now have 5 defenseman on the roster. Coach Kromm could turn to Ben Rosen or Mathieu Gagnon who are both converted defenseman, to line up on the back line.

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