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Thunder Host Idaho at Stockton Arena

March 14, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


The Thunder are hoping for redemption as they take on the Idaho Steelheads today at Stockton Arena beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Arena: Stockton Arena

Date: Saturday, March 14

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Giveaway: Thunder Bobblehead to the first 500 fans

Broadcast: ECHL.TV and Spreaker beginning at 7:15 p.m. PST

This Year's Record: Stockton is 2-11-0-0 vs. Idaho

Follow the Thunder Facebook Page for occasional updates or follow @StocktonThunder on Twitter for the play-by-play tweeting!

Heat Rises in Fall 2015

During the first intermission of Wednesday's watch party, Team President Dave Piecuch and Mayor Anthony Silva revealed that the Stockton AHL team will be known as the Stockton Heat.

The Heat name was selected over the Blaze, Scorch, Inferno and Fire after fans stuffed the boxes with names related to the parent club in Calgary.

Deposits are being taken now for the first season of AHL hockey! For just $50 per seat, you can reserve your spot as the new team kicks off play for the 2015-16 AHL season. Call 209-373-1500 or visit StocktonThunder.com/ahl!

Last Time vs. Idaho

Jack Combs got the Thunder off and running against the Steelheads midway through the first by burying a backdoor one timer off a beautiful feed from linemate Vinny Scarsella. However, the Steelheads would answer with a goal less than a minute later, and again with a goal late in the first to take a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.

The Thunder would never take back the lead after giving it up in the first. Tyler Shattock did manage to get a goal midway through the third as the puck went in off his foot as he drove to the net, but Idaho's Brett Robinson and Wade MacLeod combined for 2 goals and 3 assists, as the Steelheads defeated the Thunder 4-2.

Vinny Scarsella assisted on both goals while Jack Combs had a goal and an assist last night.

Tonight

The Thunder built momentum and confidence throughout the third period last night. They controlled the play for the majority of the final 20 minutes and showed they could compete with Idaho when at their best.

The Thunder will have to find a way to put together a full 60-minute effort if they are to defeat the top team in the Pacific Division.

Who to Watch

Tonight, the man to watch is Vinny Scarsella. He was all over the ice last night and looks to be gelling with Tyler Shattock and Jack Combs.

Scarsella is easy to notice on the ice, as his speed and tenacity forces opponents to make quicker decisions and turn the puck over. However, his ability to find the open man in a scoring area has really shown to be just as valuable in the Thunder lineup.

His two assists last night made it the fifth time for the Thunder he's put up multiple points in a single game. Perhaps a better stat leading into tonight, though, is that Scarsella has played against Idaho seven times in a Thunder sweater this year and in those games he has a total of 7 points (1 goal, 6 assists).

Look for Scarsella to continue the trend and continue to cause problems for the Steelheads.

All-Time Watch

The scoring situation between Garet Hunt, Ryan Constant and Mike Lalonde is in danger of falling to one of the Thunder's star players very soon.

Lalonde's 156 career Thunder points is in jeopardy as Garet Hunt pulled within a point of the tying the record with 155 while Ryan Constant sits right behind him at 151.

Both Hunt and Constant have missed time due to injuries this season as Hunt missed 11 games while Constant was placed on Injured Reserve on December 14.

Hunt is the only one close to Lalonde's all-time record of 72 goals with his 61 markers, putting the Thunder captain 11 shy of tying the record.

It's Always Sunny in Philly-delphia

With all of the call ups and reassignments that have happened in the last couple weeks, taking players away from Stockton, certain players have had to step up and fill roles left by those players.

Enter Adam Phillips.

Philly has played all over the ice for the Thunder this season. Whether it's at winger, center or defense, Phillips has accepted his role as "utility player" and has put together a solid rookie season in the process.

The 6'6" rookie has scored 22 points (6 goals, 16 assists) and is tied for fourth in power-play goals scored in a Thunder sweater this year with 5. On top of that, he has been one of the most consistent faces in the lineup, missing only two games this season to this point.

Now, with Constant still out with an injury and Seabrook gone to a call up, Phillips has had to step into the role of power-play point man and has even earned a few starts with current defensive partner and fellow rookie Brad Stebner.

At just 24-years-old, this former UMass (Amherst) Minutemen standout has a bright future ahead of him.

Interesting Fact

Coach Kromm will be behind the bench for his 1,100th game tonight. Kromm has served as a head coach in the IHL, AHL, UHL, WHL, Central Hockey League and the ECHL.



ECHL Stories from March 14, 2015


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.

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