Thunder marches on

Published on March 27, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:

@ LAS VEGAS WRANGLERS (Tuesday, March 28 * 7:05 p.m. PT)

The Thunder continues a busy stretch of the last week of March, facing the Las Vegas Wranglers (Calgary Flames ECHL affiliate) for the first time since January, who has the best record in the ECHL (106 points). The Thunder is unbeaten in seven of its last 11 games (6-4-1), and has caught up to Phoenix and Dayton in the ECHL standings with 42 points. Nathan Martz's four points (1g-3a) leads Stockton in scoring against Las Vegas, while goalie Jeff Weber has posted an impressive .932 save percentage in two games against the Wranglers.

vs. SAN DIEGO GULLS (Wednesday, March 29 * 7 p.m. PT)

Capping off a stretch which plays the Thunder in five games in six nights, the San Diego Gulls (Colorado Avalanche ECHL affiliate) come into town for the only Thunder home game in the calendar week. The Thunder carries a 2-3-0 record against the Gulls this season, with both wins coming in overtime and Stockton goaltender Jake Moreland headlining the winning cause with an eye-popping .944 save percentage in three games against San Diego. Joel Irwin (6g-1a) and Nathan Martz (2g-5a) have posted seven points against the Gulls this year. @ LONG BEACH ICE DOGS (Saturday, April 1 * 7 p.m. PT)

The Thunder and Ice Dogs (Montreal Canadiens ECHL affiliate) convene in the final match-up between both teams this season, and the final road game for the Thunder in the 2005-06 season. Stockton is unbeaten in four games (1-0-3) against Long Beach, previously taking the last contest with the Ice Dogs in a thrilling, come-from-behind 5-4 shootout victory at Long Beach Arena on March 10. Joel Irwin's seven points (2g-5a) leads the Thunder in scoring against Long Beach this season in four games.

vs. FRESNO FALCONS (Sunday, April 2 * 4 p.m. PT)

The Thunder and Falcons (San Jose Sharks ECHL affiliate) meet for the final time in 2005-06, as Stockton looks for its first win in 10 games (current 0-6-3 record vs. Fresno) against the highway-99 rivals. The game begins the final stretch for the 2005-06 season, as the Thunder ends the campaign with a four-game homestand at Stockton Arena. Geno Parrish (1g-6a) and Nathan Martz (7 assists) have scored seven points apiece against Fresno this season, leading the Thunder in scoring against the Falcons.

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 6:50 p.m. PT Tuesday, 6:45 p.m. PT Wednesday and Saturday, and 3:45 p.m. PT on Sunday.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

SUNDAY, 3/26

o COSTUME CHARACTER (presented by Comcast)

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 A WINNER! DAY (presented by Bank of Agriculture & Commerce) Local Stockton-area students who meet individual achievement goals (selected by their teachers) gain free admission to Sunday's game

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Aaron Foster is 15 points away from 100 in his ECHL career

TEAM NOTES:

o Right wing Mike Lalonde leads ECHL rookies with 274 shots (tied for 2nd in ECHL)

o Thunder left wing Ned Havern has scored five goals in his last six games

o The Thunder has drawn crowds of 8,000 or more 10 times this season at Stockton Arena (includes five sellouts)

o Thunder forward Nathan Martz attained his fourth three-point game of the season (1g-2a) in a March 24 win vs. Victoria

o Defenseman Geno Parrish has collected 40 points (7g-33a), eighth in the ECHL in scoring among defensemen

o The Thunder has won four of its last five home games (4-1-0 record)

WEEK IN REVIEW

Monday, March 20 BAKERSFIELD 3 vs. Stockton 2 (SO)

Bakersfield and Stockton skated through overtime and required a sixth shootout attempt by each team to decide their last matchup, with the Condors getting the win, 3-2, in Bakersfield. By taking the Condors to the shoot out, Stockton picked up a point in the standings and remained unbeaten against Bakersfield over the last four times the teams have faced off, with a record of 1-0-3 over that span. Joel Irwin led the Thunder offense with a goal and assist, while goaltender Jake Moreland posted 46 saves.

Friday, March 24 STOCKTON 4 vs. Victoria 2

Stockton posted four unanswered goals spanning the first and second periods, knocking off Victoria 4-2 at Stockton Arena. Originally falling behind 2-0 in the first period after Salmon Kings goals by Elias Godoy and Adam Taylor, Ned Havern came back 57 seconds after Taylor's goal to cut the lead to one. Mike Lalonde, Nathan Martz and Aaron Foster then blitzed Victoria for three second period goals, while Thunder goaltender Jake Moreland notched 34 saves, including 15 saves in the third period. The Thunder's 27 second-period shots and 53 total shots set new franchise single-game highs.

Saturday, March 25 VICTORIA 3 vs. Stockton 2

The Thunder dropped its final game of the season series with Victoria, in a 3-2 loss to the Salmon Kings Saturday night at Stockton Arena. In a mirror image of two teams' match-up on Friday, Victoria broke through with the first two goals before the Thunder came back at the end of the first period, courtesy of a Mike Lalonde goal. Elias Godoy posted the game-winning goal in the second period, while Lalonde added his second goal of the game with 1.9 seconds left. B.J. Boxma kept the Thunder at-bay with 30 saves in net, while Thunder netminder Jake Moreland countered with 29 saves.

Sunday, March 26 STOCKTON 4 vs. Phoenix 3 (OT)

The Thunder finished the season series with four wins in six games against the RoadRunners with a dramatic 4-3 overtime victory at Stockton Arena on Joel Irwin's game winning goal with 26 seconds left. After falling behind 1-0, Ned Havern put the Thunder ahead with two goals, before Kevin Ulanski answered with his own pair of goals to vault Phoenix ahead 3-2. Jeff Lang tied the game with 3:11 left in regulation, setting up Irwin's overtime heroics. The Thunder pelted Phoenix with 54 shots in the game, setting a new franchise high.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from March 27, 2006


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.

OurSports Central