Thunder, One Point Behind Second Place, Return For Three at Home

Published on November 24, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


THUNDER 2008-09 OVERALL RECORD: 6-7-3, 15 points LAST WEEK: 1-1-1

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS: (all times PT)

vs. ONTARIO REIGN (Wednesday - 7:00 p.m.) - B2 Networks

The Thunder faces the Ontario Reign in the third matchup of the year between both the clubs, which starts a three-game homestand at Stockton Arena, currently the longest of the season. The teams face each other eight times in the regular season and the Thunder is 1-0-1 vs. Ontario this year. The Thunder is 1-3-0 at home this season. The teams last met on Nov. 15 when the Thunder defeated Ontario 3-2 in overtime.

vs. ALASKA ACES (Friday - 7:30 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN, B2 Networks

Friday's home game marks the first of six games this year between the Thunder and the Alaska Aces, who enter the week with the ECHL's best record at 12-3-1 (25 points). The Thunder is 6-13-3 in the lifetime matchup vs. Alaska with four wins coming in sudden-death overtime. The Thunder finished with a record of 5-5-0 vs. Alaska in 2007-08. The teams last met on Feb. 17, 2008 at Stockton Arena when Alaska defeated the Thunder 3-1.

vs. FRESNO FALCONS (Saturday - 7:30 p.m.) - 1420 KSTN, B2 Networks

The Thunder faces their Pacific Division rival Fresno Falcons, the third of 10 meetings between the clubs in 2008-09 and the second at Stockton Arena. The game concludes a stretch of three games in four nights for the Thunder. The teams last met on Oct. 14, when Fresno defeated the Thunder 5-4 in a shootout.

1420 KSTN is the Thunder's flagship radio station and all Thunder games can be heard live on the Internet (free-of-charge) and are available for viewing at a $7 "pay-per-view" charge at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks. Radio broadcaster Mike Benton provides play-by-play commentary, with the "Thunder Forecast" pre-game show starting 15 minutes before each broadcast.

PROMOTIONAL NEWS
Wednesday, Nov. 26 vs. Ontario Reign, 7:00 p.m.
THUNDER ANTENNA TOPPER GIVEAWAY (Presented by Aromas Uncorked)
- The first 1,000 adults (ages 18 and up) will receive a commemorative Thunder car antenna topper!

Friday, Nov. 28 vs. Alaska Aces, 7:30 p.m.
TEAM PHOTO NIGHT (Presented by Guaranty Bank, St. Joseph's Medical Center and AM 970 ESPN Radio)
- All fans in attendance will receive a commemorative Thunder 2008-09 team photo!

Saturday, Nov. 29 vs. Fresno Falcons, 7:30 p.m.
THUNDER PUCK GIVEAWAY (Presented by Instant Tax Service and KAT Country 103)
- The first 2,000 fans (ages 17 and under) will receive a commemorative Thunder hockey puck!

Show someone you care with the Stockton Thunder and Edible Arrangements!

This season during every Sunday home game one lucky fan will be awarded a beautiful and delicious fruit bouquet courtesy of Edible Arrangements. If you have a co-worker, friend, or family member you feel deserves special recognition, log on to www.StocktonThunder.com and nominate them for the Edible Arrangements Sentimental Moment!

TEAM LEADERS:
Points - Cory Urquhart (15)
Goals - Cory Urquhart (5), Ryan Huddy (5), Mike Lalonde (5), Ryan MacMurchy (5)
Assists - Cory Urquhart (10)
Plus/Minus - Garet Hunt (+7)

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

o Mike Lalonde is 8 points away from surpassing Nathan Martz as the Thunder career scoring leader
o Ryan MacMurchy is 3 games away from 100 in his professional career
o Cory Urquhart is 17 goals away from 100 in his ECHL career
o Craig Valette is 17 points away from 100 in his professional career

TEAM NOTES:

o Cory Urquhart leads the Thunder in scoring and is tied for 11th in ECHL scoring with 15 points (5g-10a) in 11 games
o Ryan Huddy leads the Thunder in rookie scoring and is tied for 12th among ECHL rookies with 11 points (4g-7a)
o Rookie Andrew Perugini is 3-0-1 in his first four games and is tied for fourth in the ECHL with a 2.14 goals-against-average
o Stockton is 4-3-2 on the road this season
o Stockton leads the ECHL in attendance with an average of 8,216 fans (4 games)

WEEK IN REVIEW

11/22/08 - STK 1 at IDA 3: Rookie goaltender Matt Climie made a season-high 34 saves to snap a three-game winless skid and help the Idaho Steelheads send the Thunder to a 3-1 defeat, before an announced crowd of 4,064 at Qwest Arena on Saturday. Thunder goaltender Bryan Pitton made 34 saves and received his lone share of offensive support on a first period goal by Justin Chwedoruk. Idaho received a game-winning goal from Steve Gainey in the second period. The Thunder loss marked their first defeat in regulation on the road in seven games away from Stockton Arena.

11/21/08 - STK 7 at IDA 3: Ryan MacMurchy scored two goals and rookie goaltender Andrew Perugini stopped 42 shots to lead the Thunder to a 7-3 rout of the Idaho Steelheads, before a crowd of 4,095 at Qwest Arena on Friday. The win snapped the Thunder's six-game winless skid at Qwest Arena, dating back to Jan. 6, 2007. The Thunder led wire-to-wire and received a two-point (1g-1a) effort from Stephane Goulet, while rookie Ryan Huddy added a shorthanded goal to extend his scoring streak to six consecutive games. Perugini stayed unbeaten in regulation (4-0-2) with the win in net, surpassing Devan Dubnyk's 5-0-0 run in 2006-07 as the hottest goaltending start in Thunder history.

11/19/08 - STK 2 at IDA 3 (OT): Marty Flichel scored two goals to help rally the Idaho Steelheads out of a 2-0 hole after two periods, upending the Thunder in a 3-2 overtime decision before 2,830 at Qwest Arena on Wednesday. Idaho scored all three goals on the power-play and got the game-tying goal by Steve Gainey with less than four minutes left in regulation. Mike Lalonde and Ryan MacMurchy scored for the Thunder, who were guided to an overtime point in the standings with rookie Andrew Perugini's 32 saves. Perugini remained unbeaten in regulation with a 3-0-2 record.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING (courtesy of The Record)

"If you give him that opportunity in those areas in the offensive zone, he's not going to make any mistakes," Cichocki said. "He's going to put them away."

- Head Coach Chris Cichocki on Ryan MacMurchy after a 7-3 win at Idaho, The Record, 11/22/08

"If we want to be a contender, we have to start winning games at home or we're not going to be there at the end of the season," defenseman Neil Petruic said. "We have to do better."

- Alternate captain Neil Petruic on home games at Stockton Arena, The Record, 11/18/08

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