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Thunder Open up Busy March vs. Ontario

March 2, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


The Stockton Thunder return to action today at 4 p.m. when they kick off a 13-game month of March today when the team hosts the Pacific Division leading Ontario Reign at Stockton Arena.

Doors will open at 3 p.m. with the Silver Bullet Bar opening its doors an hour before at 2 p.m. Fans who cannot make today's afternoon matinee can listen or watch the game live via Spreaker, AmericaONE, or StocktonThunder.com.

The Thunder and Reign come into today's contest having played what you could call, an interesting season series, against one another. The beginning of the year saw the Thunder struggle to beat the Reign, as the team was only able to pick up 2 total points (both shootout losses) in the first six contests.

However, the Thunder then rattled off three-straight wins over the Reign, all in Ontario before falling to the Southern California side at home on January 26th. The Thunder gained their fourth straight win in Ontario on February 5th, which was one of only two wins the Thunder had on their season long seven-game road trip.

Overall the Thunder are 4-5-0-2 against the Ontario Reign this season and they've been led in production by the team's leading shooter, Matt Bergland. Bergland, who leads the Thunder with 118 shots taken, has 3 goals and 7 assists in nine games against the Reign. Behind the former 2012-13 Western Conference Champion is another former Champion, Captain Garet Hunt, who has scored five of his 14 goals this season against Ontario.

The Thunder will also look a little different as another midweek call up saw Joey Martin get a Professional Try Out with the team's AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. In his first game in the AHL, Martin picked off a pass and wristed one home for his first AHL goal this season. Another member of the Thunder, Andrew Clark, had the game winning, shorthanded goal and two assists during the Sound Tigers win over the Providence Bruins on Friday.

The defense could look a little different as well as Ryan Constant is a game time decision for today's game after picking up a lower body injury in Colorado.

The other questions would be with two of the players on the IR as Ryan Hayes and Jason Clark appear to be nearing a return. The two suited up during Wednesday's Bulletproof Energy Drinks Skills and Drills Competition. Clark impressed with his speed during the fastest skater competition while Hayes impressed with his shooting during the accuracy competition.

The Ontario Reign also look different as the team has added the affiliated San Francisco Bulls players after the Bay Area side ceased operations. Forwards Chris Crane, Riley Brace, Tyler Gron, and Sebastian Stalberg join defenseman Kyle Bigos as the former San Francisco players who have joined the Southern California side.

Perhaps the biggest move that has affected the Ontario Reign is the loss of Mario Lamoureux, who has been suspended by the team indefinitely. Lamoureux, who is still the Reign's leading scorer with 20 goals and 20 assists, left the Reign to continue his career with Villacher SV in Austria. Lamoureux played in 11 games against the Thunder this year and posted a total of 3 goals and 5 assists.

Another big name that isn't on the roster card for tonight is Ontario defenseman Jake Newton, who actually is signed to a Pro Tryout Contract with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Newton, who leads the Reign in points against the Thunder (4 goals, 6 assists, in 10 games played), has played in 4 games with the Sound Tigers adding a goal and an assist.

After today's game, the Thunder will hit the road for one of only three games away from Stockton Arena this Tuesday when the team heads down the CA-99 to face the Bakersfield Condors before heading home to host the Utah Grizzlies on Saturday. Saturday's game will be the Thunder's Adult Jersey Giveaway where the first 1,500 adults and teens 13-years of age and up will receive a free Thunder adult jersey.

In addition, March 8th will be the Thunder's Relay for Life Night supporting the fight against cancer. Relay for Life teams will be raising money for the American Cancer Society and cancer survivors will be recognized all night.

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