Thunder Host Las Vegas for First Time

Published on March 16, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


The Thunder host the Las Vegas Wranglers in Stockton for the first time since ousting the Sin City side in game seven of last year's opening round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m. with doors opening at 3:00 and the Silver Bullet Bar opening at 2:00.

It has been 336 days since the Pacific Division rivals saw each other in that game seven of the opening round last season. The Thunder opened up that series with two overtime wins at Stockton Arena thanks to goals from Matt Bergland and Harrison Reed to take a 2-0 advantage to Las Vegas.

However, the Wranglers came back and won all three games in their barn to force a do or die moment for the Thunder. The team would answer the challenge and win the next two at Stockton Arena 5-3 and 6-4 to win the series in seven games.

The Thunder not only won the series that mattered in the playoffs, but also won last year's regular season series having posted a 4-1-2-1 record in 8 games played.

The Wranglers, whose roster has largely changed since that series (only 7 players remain from last season's playoff roster) are having a bit of an off year, having gone a league worst 15-36-4-2, however they have won three of their last five games. In addition to posting a league worst record, the team also had a big off-the-ice distraction earlier this season when the team wasn't sure they'd be in Vegas next season due to a leasing issue with their building, Orleans Arena.

The good news is that the issue is resolved and the team will be staying in the Sin City, but their home facility will look a lot different than any other hockey arena because the team will play on the roof of the Plaza Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas under a tent beginning this November.

On the ice Las Vegas is led by second year player Adam Hughesman who has 19 goals and 19 assists in 46 games. Hughesman is followed closely in points production by Matt Tassone, playing in his first season with the Wranglers, and Chris Francis, playing in his fourth with Las Vegas, who both have 31 points.

In between the pipes it's been all Travis Fullerton right now for the Wranglers, who has started the last 6-straight games going .500 in that span. Vegas' other goaltender, Mitch O'Keefe is currently on the IR which means backing him up is Josh Watson who has yet to get into a game.

As for your Stockton Thunder, they are looking for a big win today against the side they have yet to see this year to make this weekend a success. On Friday, the team was able to bump off the Utah Grizzlies in another one goal game between the sides thanks to a last minute power play tip from Ryan Hayes.

However, last night, the team was unable to get the offense going due to the stingy Utah defense and good play from Utah goaltender Igor Bobkov. Utah scored the first two goals on the power play in the first and second period before adding two goals in 18 seconds in the third period to essentially put the game out of reach.

The Thunder did strike once thanks to a goal from Michal Spacek. Spacek was able to score on a shot from the point due to a great effort by James Henry putting a good chance on Bobkov. While the goaltender initially made the save, it did pull the goaltender well out of his crease. Utah attempted to clear the puck out but the effort was caught by Spacek and put into the open net.

Yesterday may have been quieter than Friday's game in terms of the physical play, but it did result in another Thunder player heading off early due to an injury. After losing Nick Tremblay making his debut with the Thunder on Friday, the team lost defenseman Mike Keenan to a lower body injury last night from a hit once again delivered by Utah's Danick Paquette.

Head Coach Rich Kromm didn't know an awful lot about the injury to Keenan but the word today is to not expect the defenseman in the lineup, putting more pressure on the five healthy defenseman on the roster, Sean Escobedo, Lee Baldwin, Landon Oslanski, Ben Rosen and Spacek.

One thing you could see in today's game is Mathieu Gagnon playing more on the blueline. The former defenseman converted into a forward may be known for being a tough guy, but Coach Kromm liked what he saw from Gagnon yesterday as the Montreal, Quebec native played exclusively on the blueline in the third period of Saturday's game.

Gagnon has just two points, a goal and a helper, in 36 games but has picked up 118 minutes in penalties, good enough for second most on the team behind Garet Hunt. The could-be defenseman has picked up 16 major penalties this season, all for fighting, which ranks him tied for fourth in the league with former San Francisco Bull Scott Langdon.

It will once again be a Family Day, which means families can pick up their Thunder Pride Packs featuring our Upper End Zone tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas for just $38 from the box office.

However, if you order your pride pack online, the Thunder will sell you that same package but throw in a free Thunder hat for no additional fee.

In addition to Family Day, it will also be the first opportunity for the public to skate with the team! Fans can purchase their $5 ticket at the Box Office window located inside the building next to the Silver Bullet Bar and Thunder Information Booth.

Rentals will be provided to those who purchase tickets on a first come, first serve basis, however if your size runs out you can receive a refund. If you own your own skates, you may bring them and check them in at the Thunder Information Booth after you've purchased your ticket. Space is limited to the first 160 fans.

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